Trochowski hands Hamburg lead

Hamburger SV and FK Žalgiris Vilnius claimed first-leg advantages away from home as the UEFA Intertoto Cup third round got under way on Saturday.

Trochowski decisive
Hamburg ensured UD Leiria made a losing start to their Intertoto campaign with a 1-0 win in Portugal. Midfielder Piotr Trochowski struck the only goal of the game just before the hour mark to give the Bundesliga side a potentially crucial away goal going into the second leg at the AOL Arena.

Egaleo slip
Žalgiris will have a 3-1 lead, as well as home advantage, to take into their second leg with Intertoto newcomers Egaleo FC after a fine performance in Greece. Virmantas Lemežis opened the scoring for the Lithuanian side before Igoris Morinas doubled their lead on the hour. Branislav Jašurek made it three goals without reply seven minutes later but Egaleo were given some hope for the reverse fixture when Prokopios Saganas struck five minutes from time.

Late screamer
A last-minute goal from Mirko Plantic gave NK Varteks a 1-1 first-leg draw against RC Lens in Croatia. The 20-year-old defender struck two minutes into stoppage time with a dipping long-range effort to cancel out Daniel Cousin’s 60th minute opener for the visitors, when he rounded the goalkeeper to score.

Roda held
There was also a late goal at the Riazor as Rubén Castro scored to give RC Deportivo La Coruña a 1-0 first-leg lead over NK Slaven Koprivnica of Croatia, while Roda JC’s opening tie in this season’s competition is still in the balance after their game with Czech First Division side FC Slovan Liberec finished goalless in the Netherlands. The second legs take place on 23 and 24 July.