mainz survive sevilla ordeal published: thursday 15 september 2005, 22.18cet sevilla fc 0-0 1. fsv mainz 05 european newcomers mainz survived a one-sided tie in spain thanks to the brilliance of goalkeeper dimo wache.
1. fsv mainz 05 survived a sevilla fc onslaught to come away with a goalless draw from the first leg of their uefa cup tie in spain.
one-sided game the spanish side controlled a one-sided affair from start to finish, with rising star jesús navas the main cause of concern for the german side. however, a combination of profligate finishing and superb goalkeeping from mainz's dimo wache ensured the match ended level.
wache heroics the bundesliga side had been awarded their place in the competition via uefa's fair play rankings, although they had to come through two qualifying rounds, and were under attack straight from the kick-off, with navas forcing a save from wache after just three minutes as he curled a shot from the edge of the penalty area.
long-range shot the goalkeeper was scrambling across his line again 15 minutes later as luís fabiano burst clear to drill the ball wide, and it was not until the 27th minute that mainz had their first effort on goal as michael thurk's long-range shot drifted wide.
terrific save wache made another terrific save to deny a luís fabiano header at the other end, and former tottenham hotspur fc striker frédéric kanouté was the next man to be thwarted by the in-form goalkeeper as his 38th-minute drive was swatted over the crossbar.
continued pressure half-time brought little relief for the german team, who continued to face pressure after the interval. navas forced a terrific save out of wache three minutes after the interval, before luís fabiano had another goal-bound effort blocked.
unlikely result substitute jesuli was then denied by wache only to miscue his effort from the rebound. renato and enzo maresca also saw efforts saved in the closing minutes as mainz somehow held on for a draw.
