Donetsk battle back

FC Metalurh Donetsk 2-2 SV Werder Bremen
SV Werder Bremen lost a two-goal lead but still look to have gained the upper hand after drawing 2-2 at FC Metalurh Dontesk in the first leg of their UEFA Cup first-round tie.

Dream start
Bremen got off to a dream start through early goals from Krisztian Lizstes and Frank Verlaat before Bernard Tchoutang's double strike revived Metalurh's hopes of progress in their first European campaign.

Mixed reaction
"It is a good result away from home on one hand, but on the other hand we should not have allowed them to fight back when we were 2-0 up," Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf said. "Our chances look excellent, though."

Micoud involved
The German side went in front after 12 minutes when Lizstes exchanged passes with Johan Micoud before firing from 20 metres. Micoud was involved again in the second goal two minutes later, as his corner picked out Verlaat and the defender doubled the lead.

Donetsk press forward
However, Metalurh recovered well and pressed forward in numbers. Six minutes before the interval, they reduced the deficit when Volodymyr Yaksmanytskyy won an aerial challenge and Tchoutang got in front of defender Frank Baumann to score. The Cameroonian striker equalised on 53 minutes when, from a pass by Serhiy Zakarliuka, he beat goalkeeper Pascal Borel.

Praise for Tchoutang
Tchoutang could have had a hat-trick moments later, but he slipped with the goal at his mercy. Donetsk coach Semen Altman said: "I am happy we could fight back, and I'd like to highlight Tchoutang's performance today."

Late chance
At the other end, Mladen Krstajic forced a fantastic save from Yuri Virt in the Metalurh goal before his withdrawal with a suspected broken leg in first-half injury time.