UEFA Europa League

Athletic Bilbao 3 - Tromso 2

Athletic: Gorka Iraizoz; Iraola, Aitor Ocio, Amorebieta, Castillo; Susaeta, Javi Martínez, Yeste (Iturraspe 80'), Muniain (Toquero 74'); De Marcos, Llorente. 4-4-2.
Tromso: Ramovic; Larsen, Koppinen, Reginiussen, Hogli; Knarvik, Knudsen, Jensen, Moldskred (Reginiussen 88'), Lindpere, Rushfeldt.

Goals:
0-1. 41. Moldskred. Picked up ball outside area and fired shot inside post.
1-1. 62. Javi Martínez (penalty). After Martínez himself brought down in area.
1-2. 78. Lindpere. Shot from outside of area low past Gorka Iraizoz.
2-2. 85. De Marcos. Shot from wide angle which bent in off post.
3-2. 89. Llorente. Guided header past Ramovic from Toquero cross.

Athletic Bilbao are having more trouble than expected in the qualifying rounds of the new Europa League, and they struggled against Tromso before finally running out 3-2 winners. Despite putting out a strong line-up, the Basque side were unable to break down a well-ordered defence, and they were caught out when Moldskred beat Iraizoz with a shot from outside of the area shortly before half time.

It was not though until the hour mark when Javi Martínez won himself a dubious penalty, converting the kick himself to level the scores. But a quarter of an hour later the Norwegian side were back in the lead when Lindpere beat the keeper for a second time with a shot inside the keeper's post.

Caparrós already had most of his strike power on the field, but he brought on fresh legs for the final minutes. Spirit eventually won through though, and in the last five minutes two excellent goals from De Marcos and Llorente turned the scoreline around. Athletic have the advantage for next Thursday's second leg, but with the away goals counting against them they cannot afford to lose.