Benzema hands France Euro 2012 blow

France suffered a Euro 2012 setback on Saturday when Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was ruled out of their final two qualifiers with a groin injury.

Benzema will be sidelined for two weeks, said Real coach Jose Mourinho, which means he sits out the Group D clashes against Albania and Bosnia at the Stade de France on October 7 and 11.

France lead Group D by one point from Bosnia with just the group winners assured of a place in the finals.