Shakhtar Donetsk claimed a UEFA Cup berth at the expense of Olympiacos after holding the Greeks at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium in Athens to secure third place in Group D.

Brazilian midfielder Matuzalem headed the Ukrainians in front in the first half of this tightly fought match with both sides playing for their future in European competition before Nery Alberto Castillo levelled for the hosts with an emphatic strike just after half-time.

Olympaicos coach Trond Sollied threw on half-fit striker Michalis Konstantinou and Felix Borja late in the second half but neither could inspire a winning goal for the hosts who now have to face up to the fact that they won't have any European action in the spring.

Olympiacos, knowing that only victory would propel them into third spot at the expense of Shakhtar, dominated the opening exchanges.

Predrag Djordjevic tricked his way past three defenders before flashing a low, right-footed shot inches past Bohdan Shust's right post in the 14th minute.

Castillo then broke free four minutes later but his deflected shot was comfortably saved by Shust.

Milos Maric got in on the shooting act in the 22nd minute, rifling a right-footed volley narrowly wide.

The hosts paid dearly for their misfiring attack three minutes before the half hour mark when Matuzalem, one of four Brazilians in Shakhtar's line-up, headed home Jadson Rodriguez's left-wing corner with Olympiacos goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis in no man's land.

Rivaldo, a peripheral figure for much of the half, got a clear sight of goal in the 36th minute but he blazed his long range shot over the crossbar - an effort which summed up the nervousness of the hosts.

Julio Cesar, the goal hero in Olympiacos's 1-1 draw with Roma on Matchday 5, then headed over from a Djordjevic cross five minutes before the break as the hosts desperately sought an equaliser.

Olympaicos raised the tempo after half-time, continuing to probe at the Shakhtar rearguard and they were rewarded within nine minutes of the restart.

Maric and Rivaldo were the architects of the goal, the latter laying off his team-mate's left-wing cross perfectly at the feet of Castillo who fired a low shot under Shust to send the home supporters into frenzied celebrations.

Jadsen worried the hosts moments later though, finding space only to see his shot deflected over for a corner before Brandao then headed Ciprian Marica's right-wing cross wide with only Nikopolidis to beat as Shakhtar bounced back.

Rivaldo exerted more influence in the second half, calling Shust into action twice in four minutes after the hour mark with a trademark free-kick which the keeper pushed away low down at his left post and a long-range effort which Shust tipped round the post.

Rivaldo thumped another free-kick against the wall before Sollied sent on recovering ankle injury victim Konstantinou for defender Athanasios Pantos to bolster his attack with 15 minutes left.

Nikopolidis then almost let in Shakhtar substitute Julias Aghahowa by missing a cross but Ieroklis Stoltidis cleared the danger.

More striking power came with eight minutes left as Ecuador striker Borja entered the fray for Babangida but he failed to inspire a winning goal.

Shakhtar's night ended in frustration when, in injury time, Romanian defender Razvan Rat was shown his second yellow card in six minutes.

Teams

Olympiacos Nikopolidis, Pantos (Konstantinou 75), Zewlakow,Julio Cesar, Domi (Georgatos 83), Maric, Stoltidis, Rivaldo,Djordjevic, Babangida (Borja 83), Castillo.

Subs Not Used: Butina, Kafes, Okkas, Kostoulas.

Booked: Konstantinou.

Goals: Castillo 54.

Shakhtar Donetsk Shust, Srna, Chygrynskyy, Kucher, Rat,Jadson, Matuzalem (Duljaj 77), Tymoschuk,Fernandinho (Elano 81), Brandao, Marica (Aghahowa 65).

Subs Not Used: Pletikosa, Hubschman, Vorobey, Gay.

Sent Off: Rat (90).

Booked: Brandao, Kucher, Rat.

Goals: Matuzalem 27.

Att: 27,500

Ref: Stephen Bennett (England).