Holders grab advantage in Greece

UEFA Cup holders Sevilla FC made a winning start to their defence as they overcame Atromitos FC in Athens in their first-round first-leg tie. The Primera División pace-setters raced into a 2-0 lead before the interval with goals from Kepa Blanco and Sergio Duda before Georgios Korakakis pulled one back to give the hosts a glimmer of hope for the second leg.

Fine form
Sevilla have made an excellent start to the season following their win over Barça in the UEFA Super Cup and it did not take them long to move in front in the Greek capital as striker Kepa headed in a cross from the left by Duda 15 minutes in. After the goal Juande Ramos's side continued to press with Daniel Alves and Antonio Puerta both having shots blocked.

Sevilla domination
With Sevilla dominating proceedings it seemed a second goal was only a matter of time in coming and after Jesús Navas fired wide on 39 minutes it duly came two minutes later. Navas was the creator and Duda applied the finishing touch.

Mihailidis save
In the second half Atromitos did little to alter the pattern of the match. Roberto Merino saw one effort saved by Sevilla keeper Andrés Palop while at the other end Duda would have extended the visitors' lead further but for fine goalkeeping from Chrisostomos Mihailidis.

Greek hope
However, with Sevilla seemingly cruising to a comfortable win Atromitos pulled themselves back into the tie on 64 minutes as Francis Doe made an opening for Korakakis to score with a looping shot. Late chances at either end saw Kepa miss for Sevilla and Doe squander an opening for Atrimitos, who now have a small mountain to climb in Spain in the second leg.