[goldenHuddlestone]

Former European champions Ajax Amsterdam and Olympique Marseille made winning starts to their UEFA Cup campaigns but there was an embarrassing 0-0 draw for Paris St Germain at Irish outsiders Derry City on Thursday. Ajax, a shock casualty in the Champions League qualifiers at the hands of FC Copenhagen, had to work hard for what became an emphatic 5-2 victory over IK Start. The Norwegians equalised twice before the Dutch took a decisive 3-2 lead with a curling free kick in the 63rd minute from midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

A goal from Roger Garcia and a second of the evening from striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar finally put the game -- and almost certainly the first round tie -- beyond Starts reach in the 87th minute. Marseille, Champions League winners in 1993, had to settle for a 1-0 victory over Mlada Boleslav at the Stade Velodrome, leaving the Czech side very much alive for the second leg in two weeks time. Striker Habib Bamogo volleyed a superb match-winner after midfielder Sabri Lamouchi split the Czech defence with a 30-metre pass.

However, Marseilles Ligue 1 rivals PSG were not so fortunate at Derry City, whose Brandywell ground could only accommodate around 3,000 supporters. Though the French club applied plenty of pressure, they were also fortunate when Derry midfielder Killian Brennan hit the crossbar after 15 minutes with keeper Mickael Landreau beaten. PSG coach Guy Lacombe told the clubs Web site: "Ive got to congratulate my players who showed respect for Derry and who, like them, showed they were prepared to work hard. With their fans behind them, Derry didnt deserve to lose tonight - the atmosphere was fantastic."

Holders Sevilla secured a 2-1 win over Atromitos in Greece. Sevilla, who beat Barcelona to win the UEFA Super Cup in August, looked to have had the game wrapped up after first half goals from Blanco Kepa and Duda. But Atromitos, making their first appearance in European competition, struck back with a second-half goal from Georgios Korakakis and went close on several other occasions. The 1997 UEFA Cup winners Schalke 04 beat Nancy 1-0 at home with a late goal from Dane Soren Larsen, while fellow Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt trounced Brondby 4-0.

French midfielder Antoine Sibierski headed Newcastle Uniteds goal on his debut in a 1-0 win at Levadia Tallinn in Estonia, while Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur edged Slavia Prague 1-0 with a 20-metre daisy-cutter from Jermaine Jenas. West Ham United used both their Argentine World Cup signings Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano but still lost 1-0 at Upton Park to Serie A side Palermo, whose winner came from Andrea Caracciolo. Parma, twice UEFA Cup winners, earned a 1-0 victory at Russian side Rubin Kazan after a strike by teenage midfielder Daniele Dessena but the results did not all go to form.

Along with PSGs draw, former European champions Red Star Belgrade suffered a 2-0 defeat at Czech side Slovan Liberec. Despite a relative goal drought on the night, Ajaxs win came as Basel crushed Rabotnicki of Macedonia 6-2 and Dinamo Bucharest ran out 4-3 winners at Xanthi in Greece. Feyenoord, who won the UEFA Cup for the second time in 2002, were trailing Lokomotiv Sofia 2-0 after half an hour before fighting back for a 2-2 draw.

[Jedi Knight]

quite a tough competition this season and none of the British clubs looked too convincing last night. British clubs may not even make the semi's

[Jedi Knight]

if a British club were to make the latter stages, who are the most likely candidates?
For me, Spurs seem to be the best equipped

[beartons]

Originally Posted by Jedi Knight

if a British club were to make the latter stages, who are the most likely candidates?
For me, Spurs seem to be the best equipped

Glasgow Rangers to come good and shock europe!

[Joe]

The Mighty Molde for me to create a massive shock.

The may concede one at Castle Greyskull before progressing in the return leg...

[The Guv'nor]

we needed a goal to take over to Scicilly. Zamorra in good form, should do for the boys. Then we can meet the Jocks next round if they overcome that Molde mob

[Joe]

I really can't see West Ham making it after losing at home. It will take a massive effort to get through.

[beartons]

Originally Posted by Joe

The Mighty Molde for me to create a massive shock.

The may concede one at Castle Greyskull before progressing in the return leg...

not at all, 3/4 - 0 to Rangers in the return,no problem! Rangers were dreadful and molde were pants! it wont happen again! trust me!

[The Guv'nor]

hope you geezers do it so we can show you boys and girls a REAL east end team

[Joe]

Originally Posted by beartons

not at all, 3/4 - 0 to Rangers in the return,no problem! Rangers were dreadful and molde were pants! it wont happen again! trust me!

You were dreadful, Molde were pants and you will beat them 4-0?

Hmmmmmmm

[beartons]

Originally Posted by Joe

You were dreadful, Molde were pants and you will beat them 4-0?

Hmmmmmmm

yes and my bet is on,i put my money where my mouth is and we will turn them over easily! Rangers have been brilliant at home and once we click their will be a few teams getting a doing,potentialy Rangers best squad in 10 years,! its still up and down,but more positives than negatives! prediction was 3-0 though they might hit more!watch this space!