Backs to the wall

The Swabian team, currently struggling dismally in the domestic league, produced a classic fighting performance in the second half of their match against the powerful Spaniards to earn a vital draw.

Despite having only three points from their four Champions League group games, and still without a win, Stuttgart can now progress to the knockout stages of the competition without having to rely on other results. Their next game is away to Glasgow Rangers at Ibrox. If they win that, Stuttgart's final game at home against Unirea on December 9 could well be the decider.

A goal at last

Stuttgart had not scored in their last three matches, and showed why when a great counter-attacking chance after two minutes was scuppered by a terrible pass from captain Thomas Hitzlsperger.

In response, Jesus Navas put the home team in front from their first opening in the 14th minute, which allowed Seville to settle into cruise control for the remainder of the game.

Seville played with the assurance that even a draw would ensure qualification and the knowledge they had never conceded to a German side in their home stadium.

But in the end Stuttgart found reserves of determination that had gone missing in their season so far, and conjured an equalizer in the 79th minute with a deflected long range effort from Zdravko Kuzmanovic. It was only their third goal in seven matches.

The Germans then nearly got a winner in the closing minutes of the game, but Seville held on for the point they needed.

Getting loud

"Now we have it in our own hands," said Stuttgart manager Markus Babbel, under pressure to turn the club's fortunes around, "The first half was a catastrophe, and inexplicable for me. I had to get a bit loud in the interval. After that we were braver and showed what we could do. Now we will do everything in our power to reach the last 16."

They were aided by an inconclusive result in the other group game, in which Glasgow Rangers and Romanian team Unirea Urziceni also drew 1-1. Stuttgart are third in the group with three points, one ahead of Rangers, and two behind Unirea.

bk/dpa/SID/AFP

Editor: Rick Demarest