Aleksić ensures honours are shared

France and Serbia produced an entertaining draw in their opening UEFA European Under-19 Championship encounter in Mariupol.

First-half goals
French coach Jean Gallice – hoping to add another success at this level to the one he achieved in 2005 – saw his team take a 41st-minute lead when Stade Rennais FC attacker Yacine Brahimi fired in. Serbia responded quickly, however, and earned a Group B point thanks to Danijel Aleksić's effort on the stroke of half-time.

Fast start
Serbia started brightly and almost took the lead within the opening moments, Nemanja Milić latching on to Slobodan Medojević's deep centre before finding the legs of Abdoulaye Keita in the French goal with a low shot. The goalkeeper produced another fine save from the subsequent corner, holding on to Aleksić's neat header. Aleksandar Stanojević's side continued to look the stronger in the opening ten minutes and after Saïd Mehamha gave possession away in a dangerous area, Milić pounced and fed team-mate Aleksić for a shot that went wide.

Brahimi opener
France finally got going just before the half-hour with Damien Le Tallec's tester from distance sparking Les Petit Bleus into action. Five minutes later they went close again when Emmanuel Rivière's downward header from a Tripy Makonda cross bounced just wide of the upright and drew the groans of the 1,100 supporters in attendance. The next foray forward by the French in the 40th minute produced the first goal. Le Tallec moved inside from the left and released Brahimi who had time to set himself before sending a delightful shot bending away from Aleksandar Kirovski's despairing dive.

Equaliser
With half-time approaching, though, Serbia pulled level. Adem Ljajić – on a menacing run forward – poked the ball through for the waiting Aleksić and the striker got the slightest of touches to direct the ball into the far corner. Gallice's charges came out for the second half in an attacking mood. Makonda tried his luck from range shortly after the restart before substitute Frédéric Bulot had two attempts wide of the target.

Goalkeeping heroics
Bulot continued to cause Serbia problems and he almost put his side in front after his left-footed drive from distance zipped wide. With time running out and France continuing to press, Kirovski produced a spectacular save from Le Tallec's well-directed header. Kirovski again saved his team in added time when he blocked Alfred N'Diaye's effort at his near post to ensure both teams will take a point into their second games.