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AZ Alkmaar were eliminated from the Champions League after a 0-0 draw at home to Olympiacos, who missed a chance to book their place in the last 16, in Group H.

Chances were few and far between on a blustery night in northern Holland. With nothing to choose between the two teams in the first half, the Dutch side came out fighting after the interval.

But they could not convert their possession into goals, and Olympiacos held on: they need a point from their final game against Standard Liege to all but secure their place in the knockout stages of the competition.

Ronald Koeman's side made a solid start to the game, knowing only a win would keep their Champions League hopes alive. Moussa Dembele and Jeremain Lens looked threatening up front, and it was the latter who had the first real chance of the match after 21 minutes.

He raced on to a pass from Gill Swerts, prodding the ball past advancing Olympiacos goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis - but the AZ forward could only watch as the ball squirmed agonisingly wide of the post.

Konstantinos Mitroglou then came close for the away side after good work from Jaouad Zairi down the right. The Moroccan's cross found the lone striker in acres of space, but his header looped over the bar.

As half-time approached AZ stepped up a gear, and another link-up between the two forwards nearly gave the Dutch side the lead. Lens played in Dembele, who strode past former Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg before shooting tamely at Nikopolidis.

It was to be the same story in the second half. More skilful play from Lens down the left saw the pacy striker cut inside Olympiacos centre-half Georgios Galitsios. With the goal opening up in front of him, he lost control at the crucial moment.

Then, two minutes later, Mellberg was on the receiving end of a Lens run. But again the end product was missing as the Dutchman fired wide of the target.

It was AZ's best spell of the game, and as the half wore on their hopes of victory faded. Olympiacos stood firm, and could easily have won the game themselves with five minutes to go when Brazilian Dudu sent a crashing effort narrowly over Sergio Romero's crossbar.

The goalless draw means Olympiacos only need a point against Arsenal in two weeks to guarantee a spot in the last 16, while the best AZ can hope for is a place in the Europa League.

They will be praying their leading goalscorer Mounir El Hamdaoui recovers from his hamstring injury before their final Group H game against Standard Liege in two weeks.

Jonathan Crane / Eurosport