Draw does for Rennes and Dinamo

Stade Rennais FC and NK Dinamo Zagreb bowed out of the UEFA Cup after playing out a draw at the Stade de la Route de Lorient.

Brann through
Both these Group D rivals trailed third-placed SK Brann by three points at kick-off, with the Norwegian side having completed their fixtures. The visitors required a two-goal victory to reach the Round of 32 while Rennes, under new coach Guy Lacombe, needed to win by three but now Brann enter Friday's draw.

Pouplin saves
Dinamo went close to breaking the deadlock in the first minute when Luka Modrić's curling free-kick flew just over the bar. Rennes had to wait until the 25th minute to create an opening as Jimmy Briand picked out fellow striker Mickaël Pagis but his right-footed volley flew wide. Modrić brought a good save out of Simon Pouplin in the 41st minute and was again the danger man not long after half-time when his rasping drive forced the Rennes goalkeeper to tip round the post.

Dinamo ahead
The pressure from the Croatian champions eventually paid off when Ognjen Vukojević found the net in the 57th minute. Marijo Mandžukić broke down the right flank and delivered an intelligent ball into the penalty area which Vukojević despatched into the bottom-right corner of the net.

Rennes level
Rennes pressed for an equaliser and were handed a golden opportunity to level when Carlos fouled Pagis in the Dinamo box. Bruno Cheyrou directed his penalty towards the right corner but goalkeeper Georg Koch guessed correctly and tipped the ball round the post. However, Dinamo could not find the second goal they needed and Rennes secured a draw late on when Jires Ekoko picked out Stéphane Mbia with a clever pass and the midfielder found the top-right corner. Dinamo still finished above Rennes in fourth on goal difference.