Sloppy start criticised

Germany coach Erich Ribbeck criticised his team's sloppy start and admitted they were lucky to get back into the game against Romania.

Ribbeck said: "We approached this match in great condition and wanted to get off to a good start but we didn't and, in fact, it was worse than that, we even conceded an early goal.

"We were lucky and happy to equalise. I'm not prepared to single out any player for blame. Even the player who made the mistake that led to the goal. You play well as a team and you play badly as a team.

"We neglected our defensive work and we lost possession more than we would have wanted and the opposition exploited that. Some of our players were not at the top of their form and when you go into a championship you're always hoping that they will be."

Romanian coach Emerich Ienei said his team had enough chances to win. "It was a very strong game between a very strong German side and a Latin side with more technique and inventiveness. We had more good chances and should have had a penalty."