INTERNATIONAL

• Halftime report Latvia vs. Germany

  
  

  Porto, Portugal (Sports Network) - Despite being in desperate need of a victory Germany played an uninspired first half and head into the locker room locked in a scoreless draw with underdog Latvia at Bessa XXI Stadium.

  Germany came into the Group D match with one point after allowing a late goal in a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in its opening EURO 2004 match. Latvia also stumbled down the stretch of its opener, giving up two late goals to fall to the Czech Republic by a score of 2-1.

  The Germans produced little on the offensive end despite adding a second striker to their lineup. Germany coach Rudi Voller selected Fredi Bobic to work alongside Kevin Kuranyi at the top of the attack, but to no avail after 45 minutes.

  Latvia probably had the better chances to score in the first half thanks to the solid play of Maris Verpakovskis. The 24-year-old striker made a brilliant run from his own end into the German area before having his left-footed attempt denied by keeper Oliver Kahn.

  Aleksandrs Starkovs' squad is again proving that their victory over Turkey in qualifying playoffs was not a fluke. Latvia also outplayed the Czech Republic in its first match before running out of gas down the stretch.

  06/19 12:52:40 ET