France's journey to retain the UEFA under-17 European Championhips got off to a bumpy start as they played out a 0-0 draw with Denmark.
It was an end-to-end first period from the two young sides with chances from Mikael Cuisance, Jonas Wind, Ervin Taha and Sebastian Buch Jensen but all failed to break the deadlock in the first 40 minutes.
Carlo Hose clattered the woodwork at the beginning of the second period but that proved to be only chance of any recognition with half-chances from Taha,Victor Torp and Cuisance unable to find the crucial goal.
Strong start
France seem to be going through a football renaissance at the moment with a pool of great young talent, and it was on show here as they had their first opportunity after seven minutes. After some good pressure in the Danish area the ball deflected to Cuisance just outside the area but his curled attempt was well over the mark.
The first real opportunity fell to the Danes as a great ball into the area from Torp fell perfectly onto the head of Wind but Gaetan Poussin got across goal his goal to tip it behind.
France were inches away from turning in their first goal of tournament as a free kick floated in by Cuisance was just inches from the foot of Malang Sarr and Taha couldn't turn it home on the angle.
The final attack of the half came just after the half hour mark when a good ball into the area looked to be on a plate for Jensen, who was left free, but he couldn't punish the poor defending as he sent the golden opportunity wide.
Blistering start
It only took two minutes after the restart for the best opportunity of the contest and it fell to Jan Michaelsen's side. The Danes were looking to cause an upset and were a lick of paint away as Hose's effort looked to be heading in but it clattered the post.
France almost had an instant reply as Taha looked to make up for fluffing his lines earlier in the game but he was at fault once again as his tame effort was straight into the arms of Oskar Snorre.
Fell flat
As the game entered it's final ten minutes neither side looked like they would grab the opportunity for three points with both slowly make their way up the field.
The Danes looked to make the difference as Torp stretched to get a ball in from the byline injuring himself in the process and it proved to be in vain as Poussin tipped it across the goal and the chance eventually went begging.
Things became desperate for Bernard Diomede's side as they punted the ball upfield in injury time looking for the winning goal.
They almost had it when Cuisance played a final ball into the area looking for French head but it had to be tipped over by Olsen.
Denmark almost broke down field from there with Lasse Sorenseon but a clever foul from Boubacar Kamara saved his side from a potentially dangerous counter-attack.