Italy 1 Romania 1:  World champions Italy have faltered yet again and now face elimination from Euro 2008 after being held to a 1-1 draw by Group C opponents Romania in Zurich.

Romania took the lead in the 55th minute through Italian based striker Adrian Mutu but they were immediately pegged back by Christian Panucci a minute later.

Gianluigi Buffon was then the hero when he saved Mutu's penalty after Panucci was adjudged to have fouled in the box.

Italy, humbled 3-0 by Netherlands in their opening game on Monday, will feel hard done by after striker Luca Toni had a goal wrongly ruled out for offside in the first half.

He powerfully headed in from close range and television replays showed he was clearly behind the last defender when Zambrotta played the ball into the packed box.

"I'm not used to talking about referees ... let's say it was an off day (for Norwegian Tom Henning Ovrebo)," said Italy coach Roberto Donadoni.

"It's silly they can see Panucci off the field on the ground in the Holland match but they can't see a player (Toni) coming out from the post (into an onside position). We deserved to win but luck didn't accompany us."

Romania also had their share of chances with Cristian Chivu hitting the post from a free kick which deflected off defender Panucci.

Mutu had a shot saved by Buffon after beating Italy's offside trap while the keeper was also forced into a smart stop from Gabriel Tamas's fierce free kick from distance.

Romania midfielder Mirel Radoi was taken off on a stretcher after a clash of heads with team mate Razvan Rat in the 23rd minute. Defender Dorin Goian was also booked and will miss their final group game with the Dutch on Tuesday.

"It was a fair result," said coach Victor Piturca. "We managed to win a point and although we controlled a lot of the game and missed the penalty we have to see it as a positive result."

The result leaves Italy bottom of group C with one game remaining and even a win against France will not guarantee them qualification to the last eight.