One Step Left for Intertoto Cup Participants © EuroFootball.com

Yesterday the first matches of the UEFA Intertoto Cup finals were played, in which six teams began the battle for the remaining three tickets to the UEFA Cup matches.

The easiest to defeat their opponents was "Villarreal", who won the Madrid "Atletico" 2-0 in a Spanish derby. The goals for the winners were scored by Roger and Gonzalo Rodriguez in the second half.

It was more difficult for the "Schalke" team. Although the Germans took the lead after goals from Ailton and Asamoah, "Liberec" represented by Zapotocny softened the result in the 75th minute, reviving the Czech hopes of reaching the UEFA Cup tournament.

We can call the French "Lille" draw with the Portuguese team "Uniao Leiria" an unexpected result. Unable to score at home, the leaders of the French championship after the first round "Lille" will have to do that on the away field if they want to continue their performance in European tournaments.

The return matches of the Intertoto Cup final will be played on August 24.

Results of the first final matches:

2-0 "Villarreal"

54' (1-0)

76' Gonzalo Rodriguez (2-0)

2-1 "Liberec"

26' (1-0)

42' (2-0)

75' Tomas Zapotocny (2-1)

0-0 "Uniao Leiria"