France favourites for Euro qualifiers, says Romania coach

Printer Friendly

Share

Text Size

WARSAW, Feb 7, 2010 (AFP) - Romania coach Razvan Lucescu said on Sunday that his team will be the underdogs when they face former champions France in the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

"France are the favourites," Luscescu said after Romania were drawn in the same qualifying Group G for the tournament which takes place in the Ukraine and Poland in two years time.

"France have players playing at Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid ... but we are confident after our last results against Les Bleus," he added.

"It will not be easy at all," estimated Jean-Pierre Escallettes, president of the French Football Federation. "The picture is very mixed as we have not beaten them for a long time," he added.

Raymond Domenech's men have failed to beat Romania in their past three encounters.

A World Cup 2010 qualifier between the two sides in Paris last September finished 1-1, forcing the French into a playoff against the Republic of Ireland.

Romania were leading 2-0 at home in October 2008 but France clawed it back to 2-2 with goals from Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery and Bordeaux playmaker Youri Gourcuff.

That result came four months after Les Bleus played out a goaless draw against the Romanians in Euro 2008, crashing out in the first round.

France have twice won the European twice - in 1984 and 2000.