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Anorthosis Gain Famous Draw
Anorthosis Famagusta, the Cypriot side, were playing in their first ever Champions League group game, having famously defeated Olympiakos in qualifying to become the first side to reach this stage of the competition in their country's history.
And they proved they are not just there to make up the numbers after a resilient and determined display to add yet another famous result to their season's collection.
The home side generally had the better of the play at the Weserstadion, but were unable to make the breakthrough against Temuri Ketsbaia's men in a frustrating night for the Germans.
Bremen made all of the early running and Naldo, Claudio Pizarro and Diego all squandered chances in the first twenty minutes.
In the 23rd minute they should have taken the lead when good work from Clemens Fritz and Mesut Ozil resulted in a golden opportunity for Pizarro, who could only head wide.
Despite dominating possession, Bremen were not creating many clear-cut opportunities but again wasted a great chance just ten minutes before half-time. 19-year-old Ozil was showing maturity beyond his years and he had a shot well blocked by the Anorthosis defence before Daniel Jensen could not covert the re-bound with a goal seemingly inevitable.
Pizarro then failed to connect properly with two opportunities to get a shot away as Famagusta began to wobble slightly. The Cypriots were relieved when the half-time whistle arrived.
Ex-Chelsea man Pizarro was having a bad night, which continued after the break when he shot tamely with his left foot. His strike partner, Markus Rosenberg, then had a goal rightly ruled out for offside after he lobbed visiting goalkeeper.
The Germans then completely changed their frontline as they searched for a combination to break the deadlock with Pizarro and Rosenberg replaced within minutes of each other, with Boubacar Sanogo and Hugo Almeida entering the fray.
The change did not succeed however, with Almedia failing to convert an excellent one-on-one opportunity with Famagusta's 'keeper Arjan Beqaj,
Chances then became fewer in volume as the visitors continued to grow in stature, despite being unable to seriously threaten Tim Wiese's goal. Savio came close to stealing a winner with five minutes remaining before Ozil struck wide for the hosts with seconds left.
There was to be no goal though, and Bremen have now gone five opening day Champions League fixtures without a win. For Anorthosis the European dream well and truly rolls on.
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