Brann beat Ventspils at the death

SK Brann needed an 87th-minute goal from Njogu Demba-Nyrén to get the better of FK Ventspils in the first leg of the clubs' UEFA Champions League second qualifying round meeting.

Slim lead
Substitute Demba-Nyrén struck just when it seemed the Latvian title-holders had denied their Norwegian counterparts, turning the ball home after good work by fellow replacement Erik Huseklepp. The hosts had been frustrated by a tremendous rearguard action from Ventspils although the visitors were also fortunate to see Azar Karadas hit both the post and the crossbar at the Brann Stadion in Bergen. Brann will defend their slender advantage when the tie concludes in Ventspils on 5 August.