France's Euro 2012 Qualifying Draw: Analysis and Reaction

France were drawn out in Group D, one of the six-team groups, at Sunday’s Euro 2012 Qualifying draw in Warsaw and now face Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus, Albania, and Luxembourg in their bid to reach the final tournament in two years' time.

The first match will be on Sept. 3 and will be the first competitive match for Raymond Domenech’s successor, the current manager looking to sign off by going one better in South Africa this summer than he did four years ago when he led France to the World Cup Final.

France were happy to draw Romania, one of the weaker teams from Pot 2, although they have given France problems recently with each of the last three games ending in draws.

The recent run started with a goalless draw in the group stage at Euro 2008 before France struggled to home and away draws in recent World Cup Qualifying.

Overall, France have a strong record, having only lost three of their thirteen games against the Romanians.

However, the French were much less pleased to be drawn against Bosnia-Herzegovina, who many considered the toughest team from Pot 3.

Although, to be honest, France were probably counting themselves fortunate not to have pulled Republic of Ireland out of the hat after the controversy of the recent World Cup playoffs.

The Bosnians were one of the revelations in recent World Cup Qualifying and only succumbed in a playoff to Portugal over two legs.

France have not lost in their two previous games against Bosnia-Herzegovina but will be understandably wary of the potent attacking trio of Misimovic, Dzeko, and Ibisevic.

Their final three opponents should not cause France undue problems. They have never before faced Belarus, have won both previous games against Albania, and have a record of 13 wins in 14 games against Luxembourg, although the two sides haven’t met since 1985.

Gerard Houllier, technical director of the national side, and speaking to L'Equipe,  labelled it a “winnable group,” whilst also acknowledging that Romania are always tough opposition.

Jean-Pierre Excalettes, president of the FFF (French Football Federation), whilst also talking to L'Equipe, insisted that France “must be wary of this well-balanced group. We’re going to play Romania again; it’s an old habit now. The Belarusians have made an enormous amount of progress and Bosnia are always difficult opposition. Luxembourg won against Switzerland who qualified for the World Cup.”

The only satisfaction he expressed was the geographical proximity of the opponents they must face; expressing his contentment that France “won’t have too much travelling to do.”

The Romanian manager, Razvan Lucescu, articulated his respect for France immediately after the draw, stating, “It’s difficult to talk now about matches in several months time but France have players who play for Barcelona, Manchester United, Real Madrid. But we’re confident after our last results against France.”

Mircea Sandu, president of the Romanian FA, was slightly more optimistic, “We’re one of two favourites and we had good results against France recently. But I would have preferred to have drawn Portugal. France can pick from two or three teams worth of top level talent.”

A poll on Le Monde website indicated that just over two thirds of their readers think that France will top the group, with only 14 percent thinking that France will not qualify.

Group D

(FIFA World Ranking in parenthesis)

France (7)

Romania (38)

Bosnia-Herzegovina (48)

Belarus (80)

Albania (97)

Luxembourg (124)