Football: BEST SAVED UNTIL LAS; GERMANY v WALES Young Wales grind out drawin German cauldron.

Byline: By MARK CURRIE Chief Sports Writer reporting from the Waldstadion

GERMANY 0

WALES 0

BILLED as lambs to the slaughter, a young Wales side proved to be lions in Frankfurt last night and spoiled what was meant to be a party tomarkGermany's success in reaching next summer's European Championship finals.

Instead the side ranked fifth in the world were jeered at half time by a capacity crowd at the Waldstadion, who had turned up on a bitterly cold night in the expectation of a goal-fest against probably the most inexperienced Wales team in history.

That it didn't happen was down partly to the fact that Germany were a pale imitation of the side that strolled to a 2-0 victory in Cardiff in the corresponding Group D clash last year.

But nothing really should detract from the superbly disciplined display by John Toshack's players in their final Euro 2008 game, many of whom have rarely - if ever - been in such exalted company.

For more than an hour they were the equal of their illustrious opponents, enjoying their fair share of territory and possession and, although the home side had to improve against tiring opposition as the game went on, Wales were never outclassed or humiliated as some had feared during the week.

Indeed the travelling army of supporterswere soproudof the performance that they treated the Germans to the ultimate insult by gleefully chanting "Are you England in disguise?"

Toshack's line-up showed four changes from the side that started against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.

Sam Ricketts and Lewin Nyatanga returned in a reshuffled defence, David Edwards replaced the injured Carl Robinson in the middle and Robert Earnshaw took over the lone striker's role from the injured Freddy Eastwood.

Oldham Athletic's teenage full-back Neal Eardley could count himself unfortunate to be left out following his promising performance in theMillenniumStadium, but it was a necessary decision as Wales reverted to a tried and tested 3-5-2 formation in a bid to blunt the threat posed by their opponents.

Toshack's side, with an average age of 23 and just 242 caps between them, started brightly enough, captain Simon Davies and fellow midfielder Joe Ledley using the ball well and pushing on at every opportunity.

Showing no signs of nerves and working hard to keep their shape, Wales frustrated their opponents, who were given little time on the ball andwere forced into some uncharacteristic errors.

But the visitors lacked that vital edge to their game to take full advantage.

Carl Fletcher came within an inch of sliding his pass through to Earnshaw on the edge of the penalty area and Chris Gunter, in support on the left, then put too much meat on his cross which flew harmlessly across the home side's penalty area.

It was 10 minutes before the Germans even had a shot, Lukas Podolski chancing his luck from 20 yards, but his effort was always rising and it cleared Wayne Hennessey's crossbar by some distance.

Two minutes later Davies threaded another excellent pass towards Earnshaw and it took a vital interception by Philipp Lahm to spare the home side's blushes.

With the partisancrowd showing some signs of impatience, Tim Borowski went close to giving Germany the lead with a first-time 14th-minute shot that beat Hennessey but struck the base of the post, the ball remaining trapped behind the keeper's body for him to gather safely.

Wales could ill-afford to waste the opportunities that came their way, but James Collins steered a header wide and Earnshaw was denied a good chance by the boot of Real Madrid defender Christoph Metzelder.

The increasingly unhappy Germans were restricted to relatively few efforts themselves, Podolski thumping another effort wide before Mario Gomez failed even totest the keeperwitha header from 10 yards.

A rare mistake by Hennessey, who flapped at a cross on the hour, gave substitute Simon Rolfes a free header, but the excellent Collins was on hand to hook the ball from under the crossbar.

Germany squandered another great chance to finallybreakthe deadlock inthe 65th minute when the ever-willing Lahm made ground on the flank and picked out skipper Miroslav Klose.

But the BayernMunichstriker, who has scored 36 goals in 71 appearances for his country, failed even to test the young Wolves keeper with what should have been a relatively simple finish.

And Wales continued to defend as though their lives depended on it.

Fletcher, who had worked tirelessly for the cause, was harshly penalised for bringing down Borowski on the edge of the penalty, but the massed ranks of red shirts took the sting off Podolski's well-struck shot.

Both Fletcher and Danny Gabbidon were cautioned, the West Ham defender for breaking from the wall, and Hennessey became the thirdWales player to incur the referee's displeasure for alleged time-wasting.

But that was a small price to pay as Toshack's young guns held their nerve to claim a moral victory and justify their manager's faith in them.

WALES RATINGS

WAYNE HENNESSEY

Was expected to be the busiest man in Germany, but after Borowoksi's early shot he was left untroubled until second-half efforts. 7

SAM RICKETTS

Brought back into the side for the inexperienced Eardley and was solid, if unspectacular. Offered little in attack, but that was never going to be his role in Germany. 6

MAN OF THE MATCH

JAMES COLLINS

Won most things in the air in either box, which created problems for the Germans. Was a colossus for the Welsh and deservedly the man of the match. 8

DANNY GABBIDON

Lackadaisical against the Irish on Saturday, Gabbs was back to his best. His pace and experience was vital as Wales tried to do the impossible and he ran Collins close. 8

LEWIN NYATANGA

He may be young, but the Derby man is one of the most experienced defenders available for Tosh and he was needed against the Germans. Not flashy, just did his job. 7

CHRIS GUNTER

Continued where he left off against the Irish with an industrious display down the left. Never stopped running and was always an outlet. 7

CARL FLETCHER

Rushed back into the side despite struggling with a foot injury and a had a good chance in the first period. 7

SIMON DAVIES

As well as his trademark work-rate, the Fulham man also brought class to the midfield in the first period. 7

JOE LEDLEY

Continued his recent fine form for club and country with another all-action display. Surely it won't be long before the Premier League comes calling. 7

DAVID EDWARDS

Making his full debut, the Luton Town man tried his best to support Earnshaw with a hard running display. Despite plying his trade in League One, the former Shrew didn't look out of place. 7

ROBERT EARNSHAW

This was a big chance for Earnie following a barren season and he didn't disappoint. However the flu victim ran out of steam in the second half. 7

SUBSTITUTES

EASTER (Earnshaw 56)

Hasn't exactly been a favourite since coming into the squad, but he used his strength to some affect against the Germans. Showed little attacking threat though. 6

ANDY CROFTS (Edwards 90)

Brought on to waste time right at the end. 6

GERMANY: Lehmann; Castro (Hilbert 56), Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm; Borowski, Hitzlsperger (Rolfes 46), Fritz, Podolski; Gomez (Neuville 71), Klose. Subs: Hildebrand, Hanke, Manuel Friedrich, Trochowski.

WALES: Hennessey; Ricketts, Collins, Gabbidon, Nyatanga, Gunter; Davies, Fletcher, Edwards (Crofts 90), Ledley; Earnshaw (Easter 56). Subs: Price, Eardley, Cotterill, Evans, Morgan.

BOOKED: Fletcher, Gabbidon, Hennessey.

REFEREE: Pavel Balaj ATT: 49,262

CAPTION(S):

Wales' David Edwards and Germany's Clemens Fritz last night; Wales' James Collins heads towards goal in last night's 0-0 draw in Germany (main), Simon Davies crosses (above left) and Joe Ledley battles Gonzalo Castro (above right)