Hibernian 0-2 Elfsborg: Rusty Hibs polished off by well-drilled Swedes

HIBERNIAN'S flirtation with the last-ever Intertoto Cup seems set to prove an all-too brief acquaintance after IF Elfsborg took a commanding and perhaps decisive first-leg lead.

On a cold, dreich Leith afternoon, there was no sunshine on offer as all those of a green-and-white persuasion endured a miserable 90 minutes against a well-drilled, accomplished Swedish outfit.

Hibs' return to competitive action so early in the month of July could hardly have been more arduous and an ankle injury to captain Rob Jones, while not thought to be serious, only added to the despondency.

Goals in either half from lively striker Emir Bajrami and towering centre-half Andreas Augustsson earned a comfortable victory at Easter Road and, in all truth, it could have been more, given the opportunities scorned.

Mixu Paatelainen's side now face a daunting task in the second leg tie in Boras next Saturday, especially as high-flying Elfsborg have yet to concede a league goal at home this term and have the added advantage of an artificial surface in the hunt for a Uefa Cup spot.

Given the current status of respective camps, perhaps nobody should have been surprised at the events which unfolded. In short, the challenge for Paatelainen's ring-rusty charges always seemed formidable.

Magnus Haglund's side are second top of the Allsvenskan and have lost only one match and three goals during their opening 12 outings.

Paatelainen's side, meanwhile, who brought the curtain down on the 2007-08 campaign just 45 days ago, 'enjoyed' barely a month off and have had just two weeks of pre-season training.

A difference in fitness and sharpness had been anticipated and so it overwhelmingly proved, especially in a second period where Hibs visibly began to tire.

In Anders Svensson, Elfsborg undoubtedly had the game's outstanding performer. The experienced former Southampton midfielder, 31, started all of Sweden's matches at Euro 2008, reaching 93 caps, and appeared to have lost none of his desire.

Granted he was given too much room, but the gifted playmaker illustrated why he is still a top performer by laying on both goals and showing a delightful fleet of foot.

With Sweden's back-up goalkeeper Johan Wiland and former international defender Teddy Lucic, once of Leeds United and Bayer Leverkusen behind him, plus a menacing, physical attack, Elfsborg were not only compact and well-drilled but a significant goal threat throughout.

Hibs, despite the endeavours of Steven Fletcher and a bright display from Dean Shiels in the first half, rarely looked like troubling the scoring.

Paatelainen has consistently stated that he regards the Intertoto adventure as one to whet competitive juices and allow his players continental experience, with the ultimate focus on the SPL opener at Kilmarnock on 9 August. During the throes of summer sport – only a week after Spain lifted the Euro 2008 crown and on the same day as the men's singles final at Wimbledon and the British Grand Prix – it certainly appeared as if some minds were elsewhere.

With less than 8,000 gracing the stadium, including a small posse from Sweden, enthusiasm appeared in short supply off the park too. Paatelainen handed a debut to sole summer signing David Van Zanten, the former St Mirren full-back, and also restored Yves Ma-Kalambay in goal, despite rival Andy McNeil seeing out last season.

The tone was set inside three minutes when Ma-Kalambay bravely saved at Daniel Mobaeck's feet and, although, Fletcher flashed a header over from a teasing Shiels cross, the opener duly arrived on 16 minutes.

Svensson flicked a neat ball down the left channel which eluded the Hibs rearguard and Bajrami ghosted into the penalty area, calmly opening his body to place a neat shot into the right-hand corner.

Filipe Morais and Shiels tested Wiland as the half progressed, but the best chances fell to the visitors with Mobaeck especially profligate.

Martin Canning, Jones' half-time replacement, was soon called into action, stopping a near certain goal when he deflected Denni Avdic's near post effort wide.

The home support were growing frustrated at Hibs' failure to retain possession and Brian Kerr was the unfortunate victim, jeered off as Ross Chisholm came on.

The Swedes remained in the ascendancy and Augustsson came close when John Rankin cleared his unchallenged header off the line.

If Fletcher's drive offered hope, saved expertly by Wiland, it was extinguished shortly past the hour.

From a corner, Svensson rolled the ball towards the edge of the area and Augustsson took advantage of poor marking to fire home a low drive, with the aid of deflection, from 20 yards. Avdic then saw an effort cannon off the post at the death.

Haglund, who landed Elfsborg the title for the first time in 45 years in 2006, now seems on course for more success, with Latvians FK Riga or Dublin side Bohemians awaiting the winners in the third round.

• Irish side Bohemians will need to overcome a first-leg deficit if they are to continue their European adventure.

A goal just before half-time gave Latvian side FK Riga the edge in yesterday's Intertoto Cup second-round first leg match – played in front of a sparse crowd in Liepaja, around 200 miles from the country's capital.

In the first half, former Wolves striker Glen Crowe had Bohs' best chance, shooting wide after 25 minutes – but the eircom League side lost midfielder Jason Byrne to a hamstring injury soon after.

Brian Murphy made two good saves after the break as Riga finished strongest – but Pat Fenlon's team will believe they can overhaul the deficit in Saturday's return at Dalymount Park.

UEFA INTERTOTO CUP

FK Ekranas 1, Rosenborg 3
FK Riga 1, Bohemians 0
Hibernian 0, IF Elfsborg 2
OFK Belgrade 1, Panionios 0
Renova 1, Bnei Sakhnin 2

TODAY'S FIXTURES

UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship Group A: France v Spain (6pm); Italy v Norway (3pm)
Group B: Germany v England (3pm); Sweden v Scotland (3pm)

Paatelainen optimistic deficit can be overcome

HIBERNIAN manager Mixu Paatelainen insists the club's Intertoto Cup adventure is not yet over despite a 2-0 home defeat to IF Elfsborg at Easter Road.

Magnus Haglund's in-form Swedish outfit claimed a sizeable advantage ahead of the return in Boras next Saturday with goals in either half from Emir Bajrami and Andreas Augustsson.

Hibernian, playing their first competitive match after a short summer break of barely a month, failed to create clear-cut chances and lacked fitness in comparison to a team currently second in Sweden's top-flight.

Considering Haglund's side have not conceded a goal at home in the league this season, the task facing the Edinburgh team next weekend is formidable. However, Paatelainen is refusing to give up hope of reaching the third round as his men seek a backdoor entry into the Uefa Cup.

The Finn said: "It was exactly what I had expected. Make no mistake, we're disappointed but we expected this. That's why we are in this competition, because we wanted tough, competitive fixtures straight away.

"Now we're getting them, we'll get plenty of positives from this game, we'll learn a lot and analyse the game.

"It was visible which team was ready to play and we all knew that. Next week we're a little bit better off for match fitness and knowledge. We can score over there, absolutely. We'll try our best to turn it around and we'll go there to try and win the game. If we score three goals and don't concede, we go through.

"We want to do as well as we can but it will be tough again. But we'll be better off."

Scotland cap Steven Fletcher was Hibs' main threat but a strong visiting rearguard and an accomplished display from Johan Wiland, Sweden's back-up goalkeeper at Euro 2008, denied him.

Paatelainen continued: "I felt in the first half, the boys surprisingly showed much sharpness. In the second half, yes, we ran out of steam a bit which was expected.

"They are a quality team, there is no doubt about that. We might have scored, but it was 2-0. We should have been a bit sharper in front of goal but it comes through match practice."

Haglund, meanwhile, who delivered Elfsborg's first title in 45 years in 2006, was content with the result but felt his team should have scored more.

With Latvian outfit FK Riga or Dublin side Bohemians awaiting the winners, he has cautioned his team against thinking the tie is finished.

He said: "It was a good start to the two matches, 2-0 at Easter Road is a very good result for us.

"But the job is not done yet. We have 90 more minutes to go in Boras and Hibernian are such a good team so they could score a couple. It's not over yet."