It will be a battle to the end, says France coach

ZURICH (Reuters) - Coach Raymond Domenech predicted a battle to the end of Euro 2008 Group C after France began their challenge with a turgid 0-0 draw against Romania on Monday.

France next play Netherlands in Berne on Friday before completing the first round against world champions Italy in Zurich four days later.

"It will be a battle until the very end, we've known that from the start," Domenech told reporters. "I've been saying since the draw the group would be complicated with solid, well-organized and well-prepared teams.

"I would have preferred to win 10-0 but football is not like that. Playing the Dutch and Italy won't be easy but it won't be easy for them either to play France."

The 2006 World Cup runners-up failed to unlock unfancied Romania's compact defense and hardly created a chance.

"This match was difficult for us and for Romania," said Domenech. "Romania will give all the teams problems."

France looked slow and short of ideas on a hot, stormy evening in Zurich.

"We were not fresh enough," said Domenech. "It was hot which is not an advantage for teams trying to play fast.

"We could not express ourselves fully because we did not want to give them opportunities to counter attack. It was tight, tense. First matches are often like that."

Domenech, whose side recovered from a sluggish start to reach the 2006 World Cup final, is hoping striker Thierry Henry and captain Patrick Vieira will return after injury against the Dutch.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)