French spirits lifted by home win

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PARIS, France -- France boosted their hopes of qualification from the difficult Euro 2008 Group B with a comfortable 2-0 home victory over Ukraine in the Stade de France on Saturday.

Second-half goals by Franck Ribery and Nicolas Anelka lifted the World Cup runners-up to the top of the group with 15 points from six games.

They are clear of Italy who beat Faroe Islands 2-1. Ukraine are third, level on points with Scotland on 12.

France struggled to break down a resolute but unimaginative Ukraine side and chances were few and far between in the first half, despite excellent prompting from 19-year-old home midfielder Samir Nasri.

But Olympique Marseille midfielder Ribery lit up the match with a superb goal in the 57th minute as he darted on to a through pass by Chelsea's Claude Makelele and rounded the goalkeeper to score.

Bolton Wanderers striker Anelka added the second goal 14 minutes later with a superb volley from inside the box, knocking the ball over the head of a defender before shooting home.

France next face Georgia in Auxerre on Wednesday.

"Everybody is satisfied and I am already thinking of our next match against Georgia in Auxerre on Wednesday," said France coach Raymond Domenech, who was without captain Patrick Vieira and striker Thierry Henry through injury.

"They (Georgia) have some good players. We have to win that game if we want to start our holidays in peace," he told reporters.

Inspired Inzaghi

Filippo Inzaghi continued his recent good form with two goals in Italy's nervous 2-1 win over the Faroe Islands.

Striker Inzaghi, who scored both goals in AC Milan's 2-1 European Cup final win over Liverpool last week, brought down Andrea Pirlo's long pass in the box and prodded home on 13 minutes.

The 33-year-old then netted his 25th international goal when he headed in Aimo Diana's deep cross just after halftime.

The Faroe Islands produced some neat football to belie their world ranking of 185 and they gave the world champions some late scares after Rogvi Jacobsen nodded home on 77 minutes.

Italy, who gave a debut to 32-year-old Roma left-back Max Tonetto, labored in the wind and driving rain but could still have scored several more.

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