Slovan Liberec 3 - Mallorca 1

Slovan: Kinsky; Stajner, Johana, Lukas, Holenak, Capek, Langer, Jun (Kozuch 61'), Janu, Gyan Baffour (Nezman 70'), Kolousek (Hodur 90').
Mallorca: Leo Franco; Campano, Olaizola, Fernando Niño (Vicente 75'), Nadal, Miguel Soler; Novo (Luque 65'), Marcos (Paco Soler 77'), Paunovic; Biagini, Eto'o.

Goals:
1-0. 02. Lukas. Turned ball into net after corner from Kolousek.
2-0. 19. Johana. Volleyed wide of keeper after free kick from Kolousek.
3-0. 50. Jun. Controlled Johana free kick in area and fired shot under Franco.
3-1. 60. Biagini. Forced ball over line after Niño headed on Campano's corner.

An away goal from Mallorca's Biagini gave them an outside chance after they had fallen three goals behind to Slovan Liberec. Mallorca knew that this was not going to be an easy game after the Czech side knocked Celta Vigo out of the cup in the last round, and Sergio Kresic put out his strongest available side, with Eto'o passing a late fitness test to play and Biagini replacing Luque, who was carrying an injury. The conditions in the Northern town of Liberec were difficult, with temperatures at five below zero and sleet falling for much of the match making the pitch wet and slippery. That must have caused a lapse of concentration in the Mallorca defence, and Slovan scored twice from dead ball kicks in the first twenty minutes, Lukas turning in a corner in the second minute and Johana volleying home a long free kick with the Spanish players motionless.

The second half started the same as the first, with the unmarked Jun controlling Johana's free kick to beat Leo Franco. Finally the Balearic Island side woke up, and Biagini scored an important goal, getting to the ball first as it stopped on the line from Niño's header. Slovan could have added to their score as Stajner and Nezman both missed easy chances, but in the dying minutes Mallorca were unlucky not to shorten the gap when Paunovic headed wide and the Polish referee turned down a penalty appeal from Biagini. It could have been worse, but Kresic's side will have their work cut out in the second leg in the San Moix stadium in two week's time if they are to continue in the competition.