SAINT-DENIS, France -- Wasteful finishing came back to haunt France in the European Championship final against Portugal on Sunday, with even tournament top scorer Antoine Griezmann missing chance after chance.Despite being willed on by an entire country and a packed French crowd, France failed to come up with any original ideas against a stubborn Portugal defense rallied by unyielding defender Pepe.Midway through the second half, Griezmann reached for Kingsley Comans cross from the left and headed over from a few meters out. Deep into injury time, substitute Andre-Pierre Gignac hit the post with the goal at his mercy.Although Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio made several good saves, including one outstanding leaping save from Griezmanns looping header in the ninth minute and another athletic stop to palm away Moussa Sissokos long-range drive in the 8th, his other stops were more comfortable.Coach Didier Deschamps will have felt a familiar feeling of frustration.Although France finished top scorers with 13 goals, it squandered chances throughout the group stage, needing an 89th-minute goal from Dimitri Payet to beat Romania 2-1 in the opening game and with Griezmann breaking the deadlock against Albania in the 90th.He scored freely after that, netting five goals in the knockout stage to help France reach its first final since the 2006 World Cup.In the final, his goal touch deserted him.At the final whistle, center half Laurent Koscielny squatted on his knees, head down. But it was not the defense that let France down.When France won Euro 2000, it needed an equalizing goal from Sylvain Wiltord with the last kick of injury time to force extra time against Italy. Striker David Trezeguet then scored the Golden Goal winner.Sixteen years later, there was no such happy ending. Cheap Kyle Schwarber Jersey . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. Cheap Mike Montgomery Jersey . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. http://www.cheapcubsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=cheap-kosuke-fukudome-jersey . The move comes after the Canadiens were approached by the Buffalo Sabres for permission to speak to Dudley - a former Sabres player and head coach. "The Sabres called for permission and I appreciate that, Im flattered, Dudley told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. Cheap Brandon Morrow Jersey . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup. Cheap Joe Maddon Jersey . JOHNS, N. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Wide receiver Victor Cruz is going to miss the New York Giants game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night with an ankle injury.Cruz was hurt in the second quarter of last weeks win over the Philadelphia and he did not practice all week. Its the first game he was missed this season after being sidelined last season with a calf injury that required surgery.Rookie Roger Lewis Jr. will start for Cruz.Former Beengals cornerback Leon Hall also is among the Giants inactives.ddddddddddddMiddle linebacker Rey Maualuga is the only starter missing from the Bengals lineup. He was ruled out Saturday with a leg injury. Vincent Rey replaces him.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and -http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '
