Patient France win at second attempt

France opened their 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign with a comfortable 3-1 win in their rescheduled match against Group 8 opponents Slovenia on Saturday afternoon.

Heavy rain
The contest in Velenje was due to take place on Friday but a waterlogged pitch forced the postponement. The delay had little effect on the visitors who took a first-half lead through Anthony Modeste and added two further goals after half-time to render Rene Mihelič’s strike for the hosts as little more than consolation.

Late own goal
Modeste put France in front 18 minutes in with an impressive solo effort and their lead was doubled just prior to the interval when Djamel Bakar slalomed through the home defence before finishing past Jan Oblak. Slovenian captain Mihelič gave his side a glimmer of hope when he pulled a goal back on 69 minutes, but team-mate Matija Skarabot turned into his own net in added time to put the result beyond doubt. France now top Group 8 with three points while Slovenia are bottom.