Scoreless draw in damp Albania

Albania and Slovenia played out a goalless draw in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group G that helps neither side in their quest for a finals place.

Torrential conditions
The game unfolded in torrential conditions in Shkoder and life was certainly not easy for two teams needing victory to make up ground on the qualifying positions. As it is, Albania and Slovenia remain sixth and fifth in the pool respectively.

Albania efforts
Albania, whose coach Otto Barić was absent due to health problems and replaced by assistants Slavko Kovačić and Shpëtim Duro, had the best of the early play, although Slovenia's Klemen Lavrič forced the first save from Arian Beqaj on ten minutes. Slovenia keeper Samir Handanovič himself made a crucial stop from a Klodian Duro free-kick, and late in the half the Albania No10 drove centimetres over from distance before Slovenia's Anton Žlogar headed narrowly wide.

Substitute threatens
Erion Bogdani threatened with a header for the home side soon after the break, being denied by Handanovič. However, chances were relatively rare in difficult conditions, although substitute Alban Bushaj did provide menace, nodding just wide and demanding a save following his introduction on 58 minutes. Albania continued to push hard but could not find the breakthrough, and travel to Bulgaria on Wednesday when Slovenia will welcome the Netherlands.