Bayern held but Hamburg top group.

HAMBURG, Germany - Bayern Munich maintained their advantage at the top of Group F but missed the chance to reach the UEFA Cup knockout rounds with a game to spare as Braga came back to earn a point in a 1-1 draw in Portugal.

The visitors took the lead early in the second half when Miroslav Klose coolly slotted the ball home from Luci Toni's center.

However, Braga fought back and scored a deserved equalizer when Brazilian Wender charged down the left and turned the ball into the path of Roland Linz - who made no mistake.

With the group's other match between Bolton Wanderers and Aris Salonika ending 1-1, a 1-0 win would have secured Bayern's place in the Round of 32.

Meanwhile, Rafael van der Vaart scored one and created another as Hamburg went top of UEFA Cup Group D and sealed qualification for the last 32 on the day coach Huub Stevens turned 54 with a convincing 3-0 victory over French side Rennes.

Hamburg had won 1-0 at Brann in their opening match and they took the lead on the half hour mark when Ivica Olic found space on the left and crossed for Rafael Van der Vaart to side-foot into the bottom corner.

Despite their dominance, the Bundesliga side had to wait until six minutes from the end to add their second goal - this time Van der Vaart provided the assist, cutting inside before feeding substitute Eric-Maxim Choup-Moting, who drilled his shot into the bottom corner.

Another substitute, Mohamed Zidan, added the third goal with an injury time penalty after he had been fouled in the area by Guillaume Borne.

The result means Hamburg are certain of finishing in the top three in the group, while Rennes are rooted to the bottom.

Meanwhile, fellow-Bundesliga side Nuremberg claimed their first point in Group A when they scored a late equalizer to claim a surprise 2-2 draw at Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg.

Source: uefa.com