Captain Situ salvages point for France

A late equaliser from Darnel Situ spared France a UEFA European Under-17 Championship opening-day defeat after striker Nassim Ben Khalifa seemed to have struck a winning blow for Switzerland in Group A.

Cold comfort
An early start on a chilly, windy day in Markranstadt ensured that the going was tough for both sides in their first game in Germany, but Switzerland looked to have got the better of the tie when Ben Khalifa's header found the net on 59 minutes. However, Situ came from nowhere to level for Philippe Bergeroo's side with four minutes remaining.

Swiss pressure
France made the better start, with midfielder Mehdi Abeid getting the first shot on target and striker Benjamin Jeannot wreaking havoc, but Switzerland responded in style with Oliver Buff drawing a save from goalkeeper Zacharie Boucher with a fine 20-metre strike. Muscular forward Haris Seferovic kept the pressure on France with a header and a lob which both narrowly missed the target, with Situ and defensive partner Dennis Appiah keeping France in the game at times. Ben Khalifa – the only player on the pitch who played in Switzerland's 2-0 loss against France in the last U17 championship – finally broke through on 59 minutes, heading past Boucher from a corner.

Sting in the tail
France upped their attacking ante with the introduction of substitute Ishak Belfodil, but the Swiss defence – marshaled by captain Frédéric Veseli – looked set to hold firm until Situ struck. The RC Lens man volleyed home a sensational cross from left-sided defender Atila Turan, and Bergeroo's men might have snatched all three points had Swiss keeper Benjamin Siegrist not shown great maturity in denying Yeni Ngbakoto in the last minute of the game.