France are still contenders to win Euro 2008 despite a dismal start against Romania that produced no goals, fullback Willy Sagnol said on Thursday.
"It would have been better to beat Romania but we have a goal which is to go all the way and that still stands," Sagnol told a news conference the day before France face Netherlands.
The confident Dutch started with a 3-0 demolition of world champions Italy.
"It will be difficult but we knew that from the start," he added.
France, now facing a struggle to survive a tough Group C, can turn to recent history for inspiration, having started their 2006 World Cup campaign with a dull 0-0 draw with Switzerland.
"We're used to sluggish starts at major tournaments," Sagnol said, without mentioning that in Germany, France next faced South Korea and Togo rather than Netherlands and Italy here.
He also believes the other two heavyweights in the group would find it hard against Romania, who played defensively against France.
"The Italians and the Dutch must still face Romania and I wish them a lot of fun," he said.
The Dutch are likely to be more adventurous than Romania, which could create space for France, Sagnol predicted.
"It will be a completely different match," he said. "The Dutch play football."
The French will not change their habits but will stand firm at the back waiting to create chances, Sagnol said.
"First of all we have to defend well," he said. "With the talent we have up front we'll have some chances to score."
