Aberdeen could not find their way past a resilient Hertha Berlin defence in this pulsating UEFA Cup first round first leg tie.
The game was played at a high tempo with chances created at either end.
Dons boss Ebbe Skovdahl recalled captain Darren Young along with his brother Derek as the home side played their 100th European tie. Recent signings Nick Fabiano and Patrizio Billio were relegated to the bench.
Hertha boss Jurgen Rober was unable to call on the services of eight established first-team players but they were still able to provide a significant challenge to Aberdeen's European ambitions.
The game kicked off in front of a very disappointing crowd of only 10,180.
Aberdeen created the first chance of the match when the unmarked Darren Young advanced from midfield to fire in a 22-yard effort which was comfortably held by Gabor Kiraly.
A minute later only a timely interception by Phil McGuire stopped Andreas Neuendorf as he advanced inside the Dons area.
After ten minutes Darren Mackie's left-foot shot tested the German keeper as the Dons continued their positive start.
Kevin McNaughton's ball into the area in the 15th minute caused panic in the Berlin rearguard with only a last-gasp clearance stopping Mackie in his tracks.
In the 28th minute Belgian international Bart Goor lost his marker to get on the end of Eyolfur Sverrisson's cross which Peter Kjaer did well to hold.
An excellent break in the 41st minute involving Mackie and McNaughton ended with the latter's cross being headed goalwards by Laurent D'Jaffo only for Kiraly to make a brilliant fingertip save.
Luizao nearly opened the scoring in the 47th minute when he met Goor's cross only to head over when under pressure from Russell Anderson.
Hertha were well on top at this stage as the Dons were forced onto the back foot. Star player Alexander Maladeno was orchestrating proceedings in midfield with his constant promptings.
Back came the Dons in the 65th minute when McNaughton's pass found Darren Young. His short throughball saw Derek Young drive into the area only for keeper Kiraly to hold his fierce drive.
Neuendorf seemed to have scored when sent clear my Maladeno, but as his shot squirmed past Kjaer, McNaughton was hauled to the ground by Goor as he attempted to clear the ball off the line.
With the game entering the closing stages Skovdahl introduced Leon Mike and Scott Michie in an effort to get the elusive winning goal.
At this stage it was all Aberdeen as they pushed forward at every opportunity, but it was all to no avail as they could not find the way through a typically well-organised back division