Blues Pick Up Creditable Away Draw In Europe

Birmingham City found themselves in their first Euro game for 50 years and the side did well to hold Nacional to a 0-0 draw at the Estadio da Madeira in Portugal.

Blues put on a polished display in defending and also managed to hit the home side`s woodwork no less thn three times in a game that could have gone either way.

And this was achieved by a side that had three changes forced upon them, Jordon Mutch was sidelined with an ankle injury that he picked up while training on Tuesday, while Morgaro Gomis was also left out of the squad with a calf injury.

Jonathan Spector was given his first start in midfield, Nathan Redmond was also called upon for wing duty, David Murphy was also brought into the back four, while up front, Chris Woods was again given a lone role to play.

The home side had the first chance of the game when Mateus Galiano da Costa found himself thwarted after powering into the area by a last gasp Curtis Davies challenge.

Blues went even closer on 25 minutes when a corner was sent over and Steven Cauldwell headed the ball against the post.

Soon after Luis Alberto went close with a header, but with five minutes of the first half remaining,Wood gave the home side`s crossbar a rattle.

And Blues luck for the night was summed up very early in the second half when Woods struck the woodwork one more time.

There was danger for Blues with 12 minutes left on the clock when Carr brought down Mateus and he brushed himself down to take the free kick, but luckily for Blues it was a soft one that flew well wide of the target.

Steven Caldwell almost sent Blues home with an away goal, but he headed Beausejour`s left wing cross just over.

So, no goals but Blues can be happy with the result, even though they were very unlucky.

Blues: Myhill, Carr, Davies, Caldwell, Murphy, Ridgewell, Burke, Spector, Beausejour, Redmond, Wood.

Subs not used: Doyle, Hubbins, Valles, Fahey, Jervis, Rooney, Asante

Att 4,332