Germany held 0-0 by Wales in last qualifier

Werder Bremen midfielder Tim Borowski was denied by the post in the 14th minute before the hosts ran out of ideas against a depleted Wales team and were jeered off the pitch.

 "We didn't get into the game at all. I can understand the fans," said left back Philipp Lahm.

 The only good news on the night was that Germany have history on their side next year and with the stalmate will also have an easier group draw for the finals on December 2.

 Due to UEFA arithmetics Germany avoided the pot with seeded hosts Austria and Switzerland and title holders Greece - all three considered weaker teams than the likes of World Cup winners Italy, France or Spain. The Netherlands will now be in this pot.

 Germany have always made the final of a big tournament when they played Wales in qualifying rounds for those events: winning the World Cup in 1990, Euro 1980 and 1996, and finlaist at Euro 1992.

 But Joachim Loew's team will need a big improvement next year compared to Wednesday's showing if it wants to repeat these feats.

 With the complete first-choice midfield led by captain Michael Ballack still injured, forward Lukas Podolski was pulled back into left midfield again.

 But the Bayern Munich forward failed to impress like in Saturday's 4-0 victory over Cyprus, even though he had two of Germany's four first-halt chances.

 Borowski came closest when his low shot hit the post and bounced of it again after hitting the back of goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

 Mario Gomez headed wide in the 34th as Germany slowly ran out of ideas against a Wales team which created no serious chance but stood firm in defence.

 Things didn't improve after break, with Miroslav Klose heading wide in the 64th in what was Germany's last chance of the match.

 The match, along with a 3-0 home defeat against the Czech Republic, marked the low point of Germany's qualifying campaign which was impressive in the other games. Germany were the first team to qualify for Euro and eventually finished second behind the Czechs in group D. Wales finished fifth.

 "We didn't manage to shoot the Welsh out of the stadium, but we will regroup and prepare well for the Euro tournament," said Borowski.

By Jens Mende, dpa