Germany and Romania share spoils in EURO 2000 Group A

Holders Germany kicked off their UEFA European Championship defence in unconvincing style, forced to come from behind to earn a draw in a game offering a memorable contrast in styles.

Romania's bright start was rewarded on five minutes when they capitalised on a slip by Thomas Linke's failure to cut out a long ball. Adrian Ilie pounced, feeding Viorel Moldovan with a cute pass across the box that was dutifully turned in. Mehmet Scholl's stunning strike levelled matters before the half-hour, but while Germany came closest to a winner when Oliver Bierhoff struck the post, Romania could also have taken the Group A spoils.

Germany went into a game deafened by talk of their being a declining force, and their bid to silence their detractors could not have got off to a worse start. Yet there was scant opportunity to come to terms with Moldovan's goal – there was more defending to do. Gheorghe Hagi was at the heart of it, shaking off a groin problem to provide his unique experience and cunning.

The playmaker's sorcery was at the heart of two openings for Moldovan, both directed over, but after a knock his influence waned and the pattern of the game changed. Germany began to retain possession and get men forward. Bierhoff forced a fine reflex save from Bogdan Stelea but the keeper was taken by complete surprise four minutes later when Scholl ended a bout of patient passing with a fine swerving shot.

Erich Ribbeck replaced Linke at half-time with Marko Rehmer, and the newcomer was still trying to judge the pace of the game when he hesitated over a long ball and allowed Moldovan a clear sight of goal; Oliver Kahn turned his shot wide. Bierhoff then sent a header against a post before Germany had a remarkable double let-off. Under pressure from Ilie, Kahn failed to gather a lofted ball but first with his left foot, then his right, Moldovan failed to make it count.

Lineups

Romania's Viorel Moldovan vies with Germany's Jens NowotnyGetty Images

Germany: Kahn; Matthäus (Deisler 78), Linke (Rehmer 46), Nowotny, Babbel, Ziege; Jeremies, Scholl, Häßler (Hamann 73); Bierhoff (c), Rink
Substitutions: Lehmann, Butt, Bode, Kirsten, Ballack, Wosz, Jancker, Ramelow
Coach: Erich Ribbeck

Romania: Stelea; Popescu, Petrescu (Contra 69), Ciobotariu, Filipescu; Chivu, Munteanu, Gâlcă, Hagi (c) (Mutu 73); Moldovan (Lupescu 85), Ilie
Substitutions: Lobont, Prunea, Petre, Roșu, Belodedici. Ganea, Lincar, Hîldan
Coach: Emerich Jenei

Referee: Kim Milton Nielsen (Denmark)

Man of the Match: Mehmet Scholl (Germany)