After an opening ceremony that saw all five countries brought into the National Cycling Centre to their national anthems, England and France opened proceedings, with the host's captain Darren Harris passed fit to take his place in the starting team, after intensive physio on a knee injury during the week.

Before kick-off, England Manager Tony Larkin told TheFA.com:

"In Paris two years ago we beat France 4-0, but we're expecting tonight's game to be tighter. They are a very physical side, but we like to play the ball around, so it should be a game of two contrasting styles.

"The players and staff have spent the last week fine-tuning our preparations, and now we just can't wait to get started."

England started off full of confidence and were immediately on the offensive, with Dave Clark exhibiting the silky skills for which he is renowned. After three minutes he forced French 'keeper Sebastien Munos into a sprawling save low to his right and Darren Cooke was next to go closest, shooting narrowly wide after more good work by Clark.

On ten minutes France had their best chance when their burly striker Davide Dongiovanni fired just over. The move brought a brief flurry of applause from the crowd, but was soon curtailed, as any additional noise, other than that from the coaches interferes with the acoustics on the pitch. 

After a brief time out after 15 minutes, Vincenzo Censi had a penalty well saved by John Pugh, and a minute later, David Clark drove just wide, again from a penalty. The referee uses the awarding of a penalty when a team has committed more than 3 fouls, and if an individual player commits more than five fouls himself, he then has to leave the field of play for the remainder of the half.

What cannot fail to impress any spectators who visit the Velodrome over the next week is the sheer full-blooded commitment of the players. The challenges come flying in from all angles, yet there is none of the histrionics you see each week in the Premier League, The players merely pick themselves up and go on the attack again.

At half time the scoreline was nil-nil, with Dave Clark and Bouchaid el Boukhari vying for the man of the match award, both being at the hub of the best attacking moves.

The home crowd didn't have to wait long though for the breakthrough, and it was no surprise that Clark was the scorer. A great chipped pass from Darren Cook in the left-wing back position found Clark in the centre circle. A swift turn and Clark was soon heading goalwards, dribbling past both centre backs before sliding a low shot to the left of Munos to put the 3 Lions 1-0 up.

The lead lasted nine minutes before parity was restored. France's Vincent Villeroux had already tested John Pugh with one drive, but Pugh could do nothing as the French midfielder finished off another mazy run with a low shot into the bottom left hand corner. The goal galvanised 'Les Bleu's' with El Boukhari and Villeroux keeping the overworked Darren Harris on constant alert at the heart of England's backline.

After fifty minutes, neither side could be separated, with the final scoreline England 1-1 France. However, the action did not stop there.

In the event that teams are equal at the end of the group stage, any games which finish level have a penalty shoot-out. Darren Harris, David Clark and Darren Cooke sadly failed to hit the target with their penalties, whilst Bouchaid el Boukhari was the only Frenchman to score, meaning that should England and France be level on points, goal difference and goals scored after their four group games, the French would hold the advantage.

Speaking to TheFA.com after the game, England's Manager Tony Larkin said:

"If we're honest the lads are a little bit disappointed about the draw. Over the whole of the game we were jabbing away but just couldn't find the knock-out punch if you like, so we now know what we will have to do tomorrow if we are to be in with a chance of reaching the final.

"At this level you have to take the chances you create, and we know that we will have to be more ruthless against Italy tomorrow."

Reigning European Champions kicked off their campaign with a 7-2 victory over Greece later last night, to take an early lead at the top of the group.

Alex Stone, Manchester

England kick-off at midday against Italy today in their second game in the National Cycling Centre in Manchester, and admission is free.

TheFA.com will bring you more news from the Championships over the next week, and for blind and visually impaired supporters, match commentaries can be found care of : www.yrguk.com

England:

1 John Pugh, 2, Steve Cunningham, 3, Lee Greatbatch 4 Darren Harris, 5, Sunny Baines, 6 Tony Fellows, 7 Darren Cooke, 8 Ajmal Ahmed, 9 David Clark

The Rules:

The matches are five-a-side, with the only sighted player on the team being the goalkeepers, who play a key role in communicating the position of the opposition. The size three football has ball-bearings inside, so as to guide the players.

Related Links:

Ticket Information
England to stage European Blind Championships
LARKIN'S LIONS OPEN WITH A DRAW
14 July 2003