Greece held at home

Greece 0-0 Czech Republic
Greece and the Czech Republic were involved in an uninspired goalless draw in Ioannina tonight.

Uneventful encounter
Neither side qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals and it showed in the opening 45 minutes, although Greece duo Nikolaos Dabizas and Vassilios Tsartas and Czech player Štepan Vachoušek all had chances to break the deadlock.

Tsartas injury
Tsartas was injured in the 36th minute, though, and from then on the Greeks lost their momentum, sat back and allowed the visitors to become more dangerous.

Nedved denied by post
In the 53rd minute Pavel Nedved saw a shot hit the post and on 72 minutes Greece goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis blocked a fierce shot by Karel Poborsky. Two minutes later, the referee disallowed a Vachoušek goal for a foul on Vassilios Lakis.
 
Rehhagel satisfied
Greece coach Otto Rehhagel expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance after the match. "I am satisfied with my players, who were keen to play even though this match came in the midst of a difficult period in terms of club competitions," he said.

Brückner pleased
Karel Brückner, his Czech counterpart, was pleased that his side's key players were very lively and his only regret was their poor finishing. "I only hope that we do not make a habit out of 0-0 draws," he said.