Cyprus held Germany to a 1-1 draw in a Euro 2008 Group D qualifier.
Germany started cautiously as they sized up their plucky opponents in what proved to be a difficult fixture. The Cypriots played aggressively from the kick-off and looked to get their pacey forwards behind the opposing defence. Germany took the lead on 15 minutes after a well-worked free-kick.
Torsten Frings touched the ball to captain Michael Ballack who
fired a 25-yard screamer into the bottom right hand corner of the net, leaving the keeper clutching at air.
Cyprus's endeavour was rewarded with a goal close to half time
when Yiannakis Okkas hit a first-time volley on the edge of the
area that flew past keeper Timo Hildebrand (43th). The cross was supplied by Larisa's Efstathios Aloneftis whose pace on the left wing proved a handful all night.
Germany were forced to make three key changes with Arsenal's
goalkeeper Jens Lehmann pulling out with a heavy cold, Bayern
Munich striker Lukas Podolski still injured, and Bayer Leverkusen's Bernd Schneider missing with a muscle strain.
Germany still took the lead in Group D after wins over Ireland, Slovakia and San Marino. Moreover, Cyprus managed to score only the second goal against Germany.
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Cyprus held Germany to a 1-1 draw in a Euro 2008 Group D qualifier.
Germany started cautiously as they sized up their plucky opponents in what proved to be a difficult fixture. The Cypriots played aggressively from the kick-off and looked to get their pacey forwards behind the opposing defence. Germany took the lead on 15 minutes after a well-worked free-kick.
Torsten Frings touched the ball to captain Michael Ballack who
fired a 25-yard screamer into the bottom right hand corner of the net, leaving the keeper clutching at air.
Cyprus's endeavour was rewarded with a goal close to half time
when Yiannakis Okkas hit a first-time volley on the edge of the
area that flew past keeper Timo Hildebrand (43th). The cross was supplied by Larisa's Efstathios Aloneftis whose pace on the left wing proved a handful all night.
Germany were forced to make three key changes with Arsenal's
goalkeeper Jens Lehmann pulling out with a heavy cold, Bayern
Munich striker Lukas Podolski still injured, and Bayer Leverkusen's Bernd Schneider missing with a muscle strain.
Germany still took the lead in Group D after wins over Ireland, Slovakia and San Marino. Moreover, Cyprus managed to score only the second goal against Germany.
