Groclin make no mistake

Poland’s Groclin Grodzisk Wielkopolski celebrated their UEFA Cup debut with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Lithuanians FK Atlantas, carving out a clear advantage for the return leg of this qualifying-round tie in a fortnight's time.

Pushed back
The visitors began the game on the attack, but were soon being pushed back as the Poles established supremacy. Groclin, however, were made to work hard to carve out chances, despite impressive work by midfield player Radoslaw Sobolewski and striker Piotr Rocki. Atlantas survived up to this point thanks only to the home side's inability to make the final pass count.

Rasiak on hand
Sobolewski had a shot blocked from a free-kick on the half-hour, a defender getting in the way of a goal-bound effort, but Groclin finally broke through after 37 minutes. Lumir Sedlácek controlled the ball in the penalty area from a corner, and Grzegorz Rasiak was on hand to head home his pass.

Second goal comes
Seven minutes after the interval Groclin made it 2-0. Rocki put in a fine cross, and Rasiak burst through to score with a fine header. The goal inspired Groclin for a ten-minute spell, but a third was not to come despite moments of panic in the visitors' penalty area.

Zajac goes close
Kestutis Ivaskevicius saw a shot saved for Atlantas on one of their sporadic attacks, and substitute Marcin Zajac wasted a golden opportunity to increase Groclin's lead in the dying stages. Nevertheless, the win gives Groclin and new coach Duš Radolsky a comfortable cushion for the return leg.