Slick Stuttgart too strong for Győr

Two goals from Mario Gómez helped VfB Stuttgart to a 4-1 victory over Győri ETO FC, thus avoiding a potential upset at the hands of the Hungarian side.

Upset avoided
The German club had won their home leg by only 2-1, giving the hosts the incentive of recording a single-goal victory to progress to the UEFA Cup first round. However, first-half strikes from Martin Lanig and Thomas Hitzlsperger settled Stuttgart nerves and a quick double after the break from Gómez sealed their passage. Péter Bajzát's late effort was Győr's sole consolation.

Lanig opener
Sándor Egervári's team were on the back foot from the start against their heavyweight visitors, with only Tamás Koltai providing any threat early on. VfB duly took the lead when Lanig headed in Pável Pardo's right-wing free-kick from close range. Armin Veh's men increased their advantage four minutes before half-time when Gómez fed Hitzlsperger whose 23-metre drive went in off the post.

Late consolation
The third goal arrived six minutes after half-time, Hitzlsperger returning the compliment as Gómez received the ball from his fellow German international before scoring from inside the area. The striker then added his second on the hour, a simple finish following a fine pass from Ciprian Marica. Győr's only menace came from corners and long-range shots until, unexpectedly, Bajzát got one back with ten minutes remaining – latching on to Jens Lehmann's misplaced pass to lob the goalkeeper from 20 metres. It was a token effort, though, as Stuttgart booked their place in Friday's draw.