Hamburg Fluff Their Lines in Champions League Qualifier

Both sides spurned good chances to win the match but erratic finishing and some last-ditch defending ensured a stalemate at the AOL Arena.

Hamburg, third in the German top-flight last season, must now score in the return leg in Spain on August 22 to progress leaving Osasuna with a slight advantage.

"We were the better team for most of the match but just needed the goal," lamented Hamburg coach Thomas Doll. "However we are good away from home too so all is not lost and we have to go there believing we can win the match and qualify."

Belgian international defender Vincent Kompany, an eight million euro summer signing from Anderlecht, hit the crossbar in the third minute after the ball came off his shoulder.

Peruvian international striker Paolo Guerrero then went close again for Hamburg in an encouraging opening quarter hour.

"We had so many chances it was incredible we did not score," said Kompany. "We had no luck tonight but hopefully we will do in Spain and if we can keep it tight at the back again we can go through."

Osasuna, fourth in the Spanish top-flight last season, had their first opening in the 23rd minute when Roberto Soldado blasted a shot at Sascha Kirschstein's legs.

The Spanish visitors then had the ball in the net through veteran striker Savo Milosevic four minutes from the interval but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Two minutes into the second half Ivory Coast attacker Boubacar Sanogo missed a glorious chance to put Hamburg ahead from just five yards.

Serbia international Milosevic, who has over 100 caps for his country, then missed a sitter for Osasuna on the hour fluffing his left-footed shot meters from the goal line.

The misses contributed to a scoreless draw which Osasuna will certainly be happier with.

Tie "evenly poised" for return leg

"I think it is evenly poised as Hamburg are strong away from home," said Osasuna coach Angel Ziganda. "They had most of the chances tonight but we have a great goalkeeper."

The Spaniards are bidding to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history while Hamburg aim to reach Europe's flagship competition for the first team since 2001.