Germany regained something like the aura of European champions after a shambolic start against Romania in Liege and in the end had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their opening Group A encounter.

Viorel Moldovan gave the Romanians a 4th-minute lead against a totally disorganized German side but the nation which claimed the Henri Delaunay Trophy in England four years ago drew level on 28 minutes through a Mehmet Scholl stunner.

But for the opening stages Germany, and in particular 39-year-old sweeper Lotthar Matthaus, looked all at sea with the predictions of an ageing, uncompetitive squad appearing to come to fruition.

For their part, Romania looked dangerous with every attack and will rue a first-half refereeing decision which denied them what seemed a clear penalty.

Coach Erich Ribbeck opted to leave injured striker Ulf Kirsten on the bench and give a 7th cap to Bayer Leverkusen's Paolo Rink with Thomas Haessler winning his 100th cap in midfield.

Gheorghe Popescu won his 99th cap for the Romanians who were captained by Gheorghe Hagi in his 123rd international.

Romania took the lead in such straightforward fashion when Adrian Ilie broke clear of Linke down the left and he beautifully paced his pass past goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, and the unmarked Moldovan stroked home into the roof of the net from five yards.

They should have made it two after a delightful three-man move on the right inspired by who else but Hagi, he left Ziege for dead and back-heeled to Petrescu whose first time cross was headed over by Moldovan.

Matthaus, playing in his 147th international, looked a pale shadow of the player that tasted European Championship success in 1980 and 1996 while few of his colleagues looked any better.

Captain Oliver Bierhoff produced their first chance of the half with a towering header from Haessler's corner on 24 minutes but a superb reflex save from Bogdan Stelea thwarted the AC Milan man.

But then, out of the blue, Scholl equalized with a fabulously struck left-foot shot from 25 yards that left the unsighted Stelea rooted to the spot.

The goal revitalized the Germans with Christian Ziege, Markus Babbel and Jens Jeremies exploiting so much space down the flanks and Scholl bossing midfield.

Romania had appeals for a penalty turned down on 40 minutes when Ilie appeared to be clipped by Nowotny as he shaped to shoot but the referee again waved play on.

Ilie and Hagi were then booked for their protests for what TV replays showed was a clear penalty.

Linke paid for his first-half gaffe and was replaced by Marko Rehmer at half-time and it was he who was at fault when Moldovan went close to a second on 47 minutes.

The Romanian striker fended off Rehmer's challenge but Kahn pulled off a fine save for the corner.

Moments later Bierhoff hit the outside of Stelea's post with another powerful header as the game continued the tournament's succession of open, entertaining matches.

An unmarked Ziege should have done better on 63 minutes but his powerful downward header was mis-timed and tamely rolled past the Romanian post.

Moldovan then made an absolute hash of a double opportunity after Hagi had again carved open the German defence.

Hagi put Ilie clear and as the advancing Kahn sliced the ball off the attacker it fell to Moldovan on the edge of the box and with only Matthaus to beat rolled tamely against the veteran and from the rebound, again with the goal gaping, sliced it high and wide.

Moldovan's team-mates slumped to the floor in disbelief at the glaring miss but they didn't let heads drop.

The pace of the game eased but the lack of energy never ebbed due to the fear of losing.

Bierhoff netted at the death but was ruled offside and a point apiece was undeniably the fair result.