Wales earned a creditable draw in Frankfurt to end their Euro 2008 campaign on a relative high note despite finishing fifth in Group D.

The Welsh central defensive trio of Danny Gabbidon, Lewis Nyatanga and James Collins all emerged with great credit after forming a watertight defensive shield in front of 20-year-old keeper Wayne Hennessey.

Both teams went into the game with little to play for. Germany had already qualified while Wales were out of the running, and the game developed along predictably tame lines.

Germany controlled possession throughout and ex-Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger was the creative force behind many of their moves in the first half, most notably in the 10th minute when he jinked past three challenges and laid off to Lukas Podolski, who blasted just over from 20 yards.

Wales were lucky to survive in the fifteenth minute when Tim Borowski's shot cannoned off the post, onto the back of Henessey's head, back onto the post and stayed spinning inches short of the line before Hennessey finally cleared.

Robert Earnshaw, playing as a lone stiker endured a difficult night as his team-mates struggled to retain possession long enough to get the ball up to him, and the Derby County front man was eventually substituted in the 55th minute.

David Edwards and Carl Fletcher both had half chances to score shortly before half-time but in truth Jens Lehmann had very little to do in the Germany goal.

The second half started slowly and petered out from there. Wales were obviously content to play for a point and dropped increasingly deep as time progressed. Germany continued to push for a winner, but it was their final ball and decision making in the final third that let them down time and time again.

Apart from the couple of moments of danger in the first half Wales never really looked like conceding despite the pressure and despite finishing so low in the Group D table, manager John Toshack will no doubt view such a solid performance as a positive to build on for the future.

Kerry McCarthy / Eurosport