European Championship

France's return to competitive soccer ended with a nasty shock yesterday as the world champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Iceland in th...

France’s return to competitive soccer ended with a nasty shock yesterday as the world champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Iceland in their opening qualifier for the 2000 European Championship finals Rikhardur Dadason put the home side ahead after 33 minutes following a blunder by goalkeeper Fabien Barthez who fumbled a corner. But Christophe Dugarry saved France’s pride with an equaliser three minutes later.

Another side who impressed were Israel who, despite being reduced ot 10 men after 58 minutes, came back to draw 1-1 with Austria in Vienna in Group six.

While Iceland were recording one of their best results, fellow lightweights Cyprus scored their greatest victory with a stunning 3-2 upset win over Spain in Nicosia.

Cyprus’s upset win came courtesy of goals by Panayioti Sengomitis Sinica Gogic, and Milenko Spoljaric while Spain could only score through Raul, and Fernando Morientes.

Ireland also scored an upset victory with a 2-0 win over Croatia, who finished third in theWorld Cup but had a poor afternoon in Dublin where they had two men sent off. Manchester United stars Denis Irwin, with a fourth minute penalty, and Roy Keane, with a 15th minute header, secured the points for Ireland in Group eight.

There were no upsets at neutral Liverpool where Italy shrugged off the disappointment of their World Cup failure to overcome Wales 2-0 in Group one. Italy scored through Diego Fuser and Christian Vieri, who finished off a fine move with a brilliant individual strike to give Dino Zoff his first competitive win as Italy manager.