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Sampdoria edge close encounter

UC Sampdoria 1-1 HNK Hajduk Split (agg: 2-1) A 1-1 draw proved enough for UEFA Intertoto Cup winners UC Sampdoria to edge a close emcounter in Genoa.

Hajduk dominant
The visitors, inspired by the creative skills of Florin Cernat, were much the better side in the early stages and carved out a number of opportunities. Nikola Kalinic went close on 12 minutes and three minutes later Sampdoria goalkeeper Antonio Mirante, in for the injured Luca Castellazzi, was forced to make a superb save to keep out Siniša Linić's powerful long-range drive. Just after the quarter-hour Mirante could only watch as a header from Mladen Pelaić flew centimetres wide of his far post.

Montella penalty
After weathering the early storm Sampdoria began to assert more control in midfield and took the lead on 34 minutes after Christian Maggio was brought down inside Hajduk's penalty area, and Vincenzo Montella scored from the penalty spot. The Croatian outfit took the fight to the hosts after the break and although the Blucerchiati initially kept them at bay, Mirko Hrgović equalised with a powerful free-kick seven minutes from time. The goal was too little, too late, however.