Moskva come good as Lech make history

FC Moskva won on their UEFA Cup debut while KKS Lech Poznań meted out a 6-0 defeat on a night of mixed fortunes for the four Swiss sides in the Central-East second qualifying round section. Grasshopper-Club were on the wrong end of Lech's most emphatic European victory, but AC Bellinzona will be less disappointed with their 3-2 loss at FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. FC Zürich will have to score at SK Sturm Graz on 28 August if they are to progress, after a 1-1 draw tonight, but BSC Young Boys can dream of the first round after beating Debreceni VSC 4-1 at home.

Legia Warszawa 1-2 FC Moskva
Moskva made a bright start in their first ever UEFA Cup fixture, triumphing 2-1 in Poland. After a cagey opening period, the Russian side taking a two-goal lead after the break. Lithuanian midfielder Edgaras Česnauskis slotted home following a low cross from the wing on 52 minutes, and the skilful Aleksandr Samedov carved out and executed a chance of his own eleven minutes later. Legia struck back soon afterwards, with a mistake from defender Dmitri Godunok allowing Maciej Iwański to set up Roger Guerreiro for a goal. The Brazilian-born striker was denied an equaliser by an offside flag in the dying minutes.

K IB Ljubljana 0-2 Hertha BSC Berlin
Hertha have one foot in the first round of the UEFA Cup after two goals from Marko Pantelić gave them a comfortable win in Slovenia. Dario Zahora gave the Bundesliga side an early scare with a shot that glanced off the post, but it was Hertha who took the lead on 16 minutes, with Pantelić finishing from close range after Matjaž Rozman misjudged Patrick Ebert's cross. New IB Ljubljana coach Alberto Bigon fielded three strikers after the interval in a bid to wrest back control, but it was Serbian striker Pantelić who had the last word, profiting from another Ebert delivery nine minutes from time.

KKS Lech Poznań 6-0 Grasshopper-Club
The Railwaymen motored to the most emphatic European victory in their history as they routed their Swiss opponents in Poland. Peruvian striker Hernán Rengifo set them on their way with a fifth-minute opener, before two goals from Robert Lewandowski either side of half-time put Franciszek Smuda's side firmly in control. Lech's guests from Zurich were dealt a mighty blow when Guillermo Vallori put through his own net 14 minutes from time, with Dimitrije Injac and Sławomir Peszko completing the rout with goals in the final ten minutes.

BSC Young Boys 4-1 Debreceni VSC
Vladimir Petković's charges recovered from going a goal behind to take a commanding lead against their Hungarian guests. In-form Gergely Rudolf opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 18 minutes, but Young Boys responded well, with Marco Schneuwly scoring the equaliser just before the break. The Berne side took the lead through Alberto Regazzoni after 68 minutes, and the Stade de Suisse was treated to a flurry of goals in the closing stages with striker Schneuwly and winger Regazzoni both scoring their second of the night.

FC Zürich 1-1 SK Sturm Graz
Mario Haas's goal saw the Austrian side snatch a draw in Switzerland, with Bernard Challandes's Zürich failing to take full advantage after a bright start. The hosts hit the ground running and had already passed up a number of chances before Eric Hassli headed them into a well-deserved lead on 14 minutes. However, Sturm were able to battle their way back into the game, and 33-year-old striker Haas proved to be a real handful after the interval. He was eventually fouled in the area to earn a 78th-minute penalty, and while Zürich goalkeeper Johnny Leoni parried his spot-kick, the 43-times capped Swiss international made no mistake with the rebound.

FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 3-2 AC Bellinzona
Oleh Protasov's side were left a little deflated after failing to make their possession count for a bigger lead against the Swiss Super League and European newcomers. Newly returned from FC Spartak Moskva, Maxym Kalynychenko put Dnipro ahead after eleven minutes, hitting the target with his back to goal from Andriy Vorobey's ball. Mauro Lustrinelli and Ikechukwu Kalu then passed up chances for Bellinzona before Serhiy Nazarenko struck Dnipro's second three minutes after the break. Kalu atoned for his earlier miss from an open goal by thumping in Bellinzona's first and was then fouled in the area, allowing Gürkan Sermeter to level from the spot. Sergei Kornilenko's powerful strike following a Maksym Pashayev assist restored Dnipro's lead.

SK Liepájas Metalurgs 0-2 SC Vaslui
Metalurgs hopes of a first round place look to be dwindling after Romanian UEFA Intertoto Cup winners Vaslui seized the initiative in Latvia. The hosts fielded four strikers but created just one chance in the first half, with Viktors Dobrecovs failing to score from close range. Metalurgs enjoyed the better possession after the interval too, but two mistakes from new goalkeeper Pavels Šteinbors proved costly. The former Latvia Under-21 international allowed Ousmane Ndoye to score from 30 meters in the 70th minute and Stanislav Genchev profited with an effort from distance four minutes later.

FC Slovan Liberec 1-2 MŠK Žilina
With SK Slavia Praha and AC Sparta Praha both losing in the UEFA Champions League, Liberec completed a miserable week for Czech sides in Europe as they went down 2-1 at home against their Slovakian opponents. Former Slavia forward Aduato Da Silva volleyed Žilina into the lead just before the interval, while another former Czech league player, one-time FC Viktoria Plzeň and FC Marila Příbram midfielder Robert Jež, hit a second from distance on 59 minutes. Tomáš Frejlach struck five minutes from time for Liberec but Pavel Vrba's side ended the night with a one-goal advantage.

FK Sūduva 1-4 FC Salzburg
Povilas Lukšys's opener proved to be a false dawn for the Lithuanian side as their Austrian guests left Marijampole three goals to the good. Lukšys headed in at the far post from a Tomas Mikuckis cross after 31 minutes but Sūduva's strike nettled Salzburg into action, with Ibrahim Sekagya hitting the leveller following a corner on 42 minutes. Having failed to convert a one-on-one opportunity on 55 minutes, Marc Janko made amends from the penalty spot three minutes later after being fouled by Kazimieras Gnedojus. The huge striker made it 3-1 four minutes later with another penalty after Vaidas Slavickas's late tackle on Johan Vonlanthen, with substitute Louis Ngwat Mahop hitting Salzburg's fourth in the 71st minute, moments after coming on.