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France win final warm-up match

French forward Thierry Henry controls the ball during Tuesday’s Euro 2008 warm-up match between France and Colombia at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis outside Paris. PHOTO: AFP

A first-half penalty by Franck Ribery gave France a 1-0 win over Colombia in their final warm-up match before Euro 2008.

The 25-year-old Bayern Munich star slotted home the penalty after Thierry Henry, making his 100th appearance for Les Bleus, was fouled in the 23rd minute. It was Ribery’s fourth goal in 27 international appearances.

French coach Raymond Domenech will be delighted that his side has not conceded a goal in their last four matches. However, a lack of goals up front will cause him some worries, though, the sphinx-like coach didn’t seem too concerned by that afterwards.

“Two wins and one draw, I will settle for that,” said Domenech, referring to the three warm-up matches all against South American opposition. “It is not the results that are important, its the style of the performances. I prefer three matches unbeaten than three defeats.”

Domenech then admitted that he was going to have a selection nightmare ahead of France’s opening match on Monday against Romania.

“That will give me a few sleepless nights, mind you it is something that I don’t mind, better that than sleepless nights because of an injury crisis,” added Domenech, who has a major worry over captain Patrick Vieira who has a left thigh injury.

Ribery was on the receiving end of some heavy tackles against Colombia, and had an ice pack strapped to his right ankle after the match.

He remained confident that it was only a minor knock.

“My ankle hurts a bit on the side,’’ Ribery said. “I will get some treatment and I will be ready for the Romania match.”

“We didn’t concede a goal and we beat a good Colombian team,” he said. “We are super motivated and we are good in the head.”

“We want to win the tournament and it is vital we start well against Romania and take the three points,” Ribery said.

Colombia rarely threatened save for a slip in the French defense in the eighth minute.

The French too didn’t create too many chances and went closest to doubling their lead when France player of the year Karim Benzema’s 40th minute shot just went past the post, having been set up by the irrepressible Ribery.

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