Latvia v Germany - SUMMARY
Germans rocked as Latvia prove their point
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| Germany's coach Rudi Voller looks unhappy after his team failed to score against Latvia, 19 June 2004 during their European Nations football championships match at Bessa stadium in Porto. Latvia and Germany are competing in Group D with the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. |
Germany's chances of reaching the last eight of the 2004 European championships hang in the balance after debutants Latvia held the three-time European champions to a scoreless draw on Saturday.
In the proverbial David versus Goliath clash tiny Latvia, with a population of 2.4 million, recorded their first point ever in a major tournament and put a huge dent in Germany's chances of progessing from Group D.
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| Latvian midfielder Maris Verpakovskis (C) tries to get through the German defence, 19 June 2004 during their European Nations football championships match at Bessa stadium in Porto. Latvia and Germany are competing in Group D with the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS |
Latvia could have won it if English referee Mike Riley had awarded two reasonable appeals for penalties when their livewire striker Maris Verpakovskis was fouled twice inside the area.
As promised Germany changed their system to attack Latvia from the first whistle and Voller opted for a 4-4-2 with Jens Nowotny sitting it out at the expense of Hertha Berlin striker Fredi Bobic.
But it was tiny Latvia, ranked below Jordan and Mali in the FIFA rankings, who were surprisingly adventurous in the opening stages.
On the quarter hour Andrejs Rubins fired a free-kick former Arsenal defender Igors Stepanovs almost stole in to open the scoring.
At the other end Kevin Kuranyi had three chances to open his account for the tournament.
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| Germany's defender Christian Worns (L) controls the ball by Latvian midfielder Maris Verpakovskis, 19 June 2004 during their European Nations football championships match at Bessa stadium in Porto. Latvia and Germany are competing in Group D with the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS |
With half-time just five minutes away Maris Verpakovskis span two defenders with a great turn and then accelerating through the German rearguard before hitting a tame shot at goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.
On 54 minutes the temperature was raised with Fredi Bobic collapsing theatrically under an off-the-ball challenge from Valentins Lobanovs - but Riley waved play on.
With 66 minutes gone Kuranyi crossed from the left but Bobic was not quick enough to slot home as the ball raced accross the front of goal.
Substitute Miroslav Klose missed a glorious chance on 90 minutes to deflate Latvia but headed over.