Greg . 5 days ago

Nioule strike gives Hacken the advantage over Trnava in Europa League

Hacken have made a strong start to their European campaign by winning 1-0 away against Slovakian side Spartak Trnava in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League (UEL) First Qualifying Round tie.

Qualifying thanks to their Svenska Cupen triumph in May, Hacken were one of the unseeded sides in the First Round, and were under pressure in a first half which saw them lose Adam Lundqvist to injury early on.

The home side conjured up four shots in the opening 45 minutes to Hacken's zero, but Spartak did not manage to test Etrit Berisha in the visitors' goal.

Tempers started to heat over early in the second half, with a flurry of yellow cards handed out, before Hacken made Trnava pay for their lack of first-half cutting edge, as Severin Nioule shattered the deadlock just past the hour mark.

That was one of only two shots on target the visitors possessed throughout the match, but it was two more than Spartak could manage, thus giving the Getingarna a 1-0 lead to take support to Gothenburg.

The second leg will be played next Thursday at the Bravida Arena, with a two-legged tie with Belgian giants Anderlecht the prize awaiting the winners in the Second Qualifying Round.

Pursue the UEL Qualifiers on Betopick.