Round 1

PAOK Saloniki 1 - 1 FC Groningen
In an evenly matched contest between the two teams, the Greek side struck first through a deflected strike from Julio Marecos. THe Paraguayan midfielder bundled his way pass a crowd of defenders before letting lose with a fortuitous shot that hit Johan Python and wrongfooted a static Heinrich Kleibner in goal. Groningen came out fighting after the break and were very much in the ascendency when they levelled the match. Defender Rigobert Song went on a marauding run up the wing before crossing perfectly into the box for captain Pedrag Dautbegovic to head home. However, Dautbegovic was shown his second yellow card in the 75th minutes. The vistors however, managed to pull back and hold out for a draw.

Yokohama Marinos 1 - 3 Monaco AS
Japanese newcomers Yokohama were humbled at home by a determined Monaco side as the visitors struck early. Eric Bissafi claimed a well taken goal in the 12th minute, running onto Geraint Williams through pass to slot home beyond the keeper. The home fans got even quieter 20 minutes after when Fabio Cannavaro rose highest at a corner kick to double the advantage. The two teams came out of the break with the Japanese side looking to get back into the game, but only three minutes were on the clock before goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was picking the ball out of his net again. Man of the match Williams took the final touch, toepoking the ball home after a textbook slide rule pass. Yokohama pulled a goal back ten minutes from time but it was too little, too late.

Vitesse Arnhem 0 - 1 Porto FC
Champions Vitesse were edged out in a close encounter at the Gelredome. Rene Alexander Gomez was the toast of his teammates as he lashed home a 24th minute shot after a long clearance upfield by teammate Adekamni Adado. Vitesse are in the hunt for a fourth consecutive Div 1 triumph, but will certainly have to improve on this showing as they failed to find a way back into the match.

Vasco da Gama 4 - 3 SK Lyn
Vasco da Gama came out top in a thrilling 7 goal matchup in Brazil. Six goals were struck before halftime, and the match end statistics read seven goals by seven different scorers. The home fans were in raptures after their team went ahead 3-0 after only 15 minutes with goals from Dmitriy Kuchmiy, Ion Modoran and Jusuf Karalic. However, SK Lyn refused to take it lying down and completed a mini-comeback in the 40th minute, with goals from Aurelius Davidovic, Daniele De Rossi and Andres Iniesta. The goals owed as much to inept defending, particularly from the away side as to free flowing football. Both coaches must have had words with their teams at halftime, for the second half was a much more subdued affair. Babacar Sylva was the man of the moment, his 69th minute strike settling affairs once and for all.

Chelsea FC 2 - 1 Lazio SS
English side Chelsea took all three points in London with a 2-1 win over Italian side Lazio. Niklas Barkroth scored two goals on either side of an equaliser by Australian striker Steve Larkin. Although Lazio saw much more of the ball, their inability to finish off their chances saw them end the match as narrow losers. Al Yo Wahid Ibn-Qurmea had a chance to level the scores late on, but snatched at his shot and blazed high over the crossbar. Francisco Rojas was stellar for the Blues in the central of defence.

AC Chievo Verona 2 - 0 Barcelona FC
Barcelona were no match for a rampant Chievo side this fine evening. Things were not made easier as they lost two men to second yellows. Xavier Artigues and Ashot Aivazian were the guilty parties as tempers flared on the pitch. On loan star Roel van Hemert opened the scoring with a rasping drive after a poor clearance and Serbian winger Zoran Tosic wrapped up matters later on in the 65th minute with a deflected strike.

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Jatex Ko
Stabæk