SO SCOTLAND bids farewell to the last-ever Intertoto Cup, yet without a fond, lingering goodbye. The much-derided summer tournament, offering a backdoor entry into the UEFA Cup, has never been warmly embraced given the early, competitive start and Sc
otland's miserable record remains intact. While Partick and Dundee failed with previous ventures, Hibs were hoping for third time lucky after exits in 2004 and 2006. Sadly, a poor defensive display saw high-flying Swedes IF Elfsborg progress to the final qualifying round.
The first goal was pivotal and left-back Mathias Floren grabbed it on 20 minutes, effectively to kill the tie and disappoint the small posse of travelling fans. Emir Bajrami's rocket late on added further gloss.
Hibs impressed in patches, notably through left-winger Alan O'Brien – one of four changes named by Mixu Paatelainen after last weekend's 2-0 defeat – but on the slick artificial pitch at the Boras Arena they were often out-classed. While early elimination – coming four weeks before the start of the new SPL campaign – could cast a negative shadow over the club's season, Paatelainen has maintained his side will benefit from the hard-fought matches and the experience.
Hibs travelled to Boras, an hour east of Gothenburg, in the knowledge a Scottish team has never come back from a home-leg deficit in European competition. Located at the point of two crossing railways, Boras is often considered the Swedish city gaining most from the nationwide railway system laid between 1870-1910. Hibs, with less than three weeks' pre-season training behind them, were always in danger of derailment. Magnus Haglund's well-drilled outfit are in the height of their campaign, sit joint-second of the top-flight Allsvenkan after just two defeats in 13 outings and only conceded their first goal on home soil in a surprising defeat to lowly Gefle in midweek.
Nonetheless, attack-minded Hibs started brightly before a sparse crowd at the trim stadium, with Steven Fletcher making room before dragging a left-footed drive wide. Elfsborg, however, were soon on the offensive and Anders Svensson, the 93-cap Swedish international who played every minute for his country at Euro 2008, flashed a fierce shot over before recalled winger Stefan Ishizaki found the side-netting.
Captain Rob Jones then almost cost his side dearly on 12 minutes when he slipped, but the Englishman redeemed himself brilliantly to block Denni Avdic's near-certain goal. It was already slick, end-to-end action and O'Brien was next to go close as he raced in from the left only to see Sweden's back-up keeper Johan Wiland parry his lofted effort.
However, the key breakthrough arrived at the other end. Floren found space to drill in a 20-yard strike that deflected off Chris Hogg and eluded Andy McNeil at his near post. It was a soft goal, almost played out in slow-motion and McNeil, who has made costly mistakes before, probably should have done better. He regained confidence with a fine stop from Avdic before Jones kneed just wide from a Dean Shiels corner.
The game had become a non-event and a training exercise for the hosts, but the crowd were awoken from their slumbers in the 79th minute when Bajrami found the top right-hand corner with a searing 18-yarder.
Hibs: McNeil, Hanlon, Jones, Hogg, Van Zanten, Murray, Chisholm (Rankin 63), Shiels (Stevenson 84), Fletcher, Nish (Campbell 84), O'Brien.
IF Elfsborg: Wiland, M Floren, Karlsson, Andersson, Lucic, Danielsson, Svensson, Bajrami, Mobaeck (Berglund 40), Ishizaki (J Floren 65), Avdic (Kurbegovic 82).
Referee: M Strahonja (Cro)
STEVENSON MAY LEAVE ON LOANHIBERNIAN midfielder Lewis Stevenson has admitted he will seek a loan move away from Easter Road if he continues to be a bit-part player under Mixu Paatelainen.
The 20-year-old was a stand-out performer under former manager John Collins and was man of the match in the 5-1 CIS Cup final triumph over Kilmarnock in March 2007, Hibs' first major trophy success in 16 years.
But life under Paatelainen has been a struggle since the Finn took over in January and Stevenson hardly featured during the second half of last season.
The Hibs manager has told the Scotland under-21 international he rates him but Stevenson admits his patience could be tested to the limit if he is not handed the chance to impress soon. The youngster, who turned down a loan switch to First Division Morton late last term, said: "I've got three years left on my contract, so if I'm not playing, I'd probably consider going out on loan. I don't know, it's early days in the summer and we'll see what happens when the season fully starts.
"I think I took it for granted when I first got into the team. I was only 19 and playing every week, so it maybe came a bit early for me. Hopefully when I do come back I'll come back stronger and better for the experience.
"The boss has been really good. He has told me to keep my head up and put an arm around my shoulder. He told me he does rate me, which is good to hear."
Stevenson may leave on loanHIBERNIAN midfielder Lewis Stevenson has admitted he will seek a loan move away from Easter Road if he continues to be a bit-part player under Mixu Paatelainen.
The 20-year-old was a stand-out performer under former manager John Collins and was man of the match in the 5-1 CIS Cup final triumph over Kilmarnock in 2007. But life under Paatelainen has been a struggle and Stevenson hardly featured during the second half of last season.
The Hibs manager has told the Scotland under-21 international he rates him but Stevenson admits his patience could be tested if he is not handed the chance to impress soon. He said: "I've got three years left on my contract, so if I'm not playing, I'd probably consider going out on loan. I don't know, it's early days in the summer and we'll see what happens when the season fully starts. I think I took it for granted when I first got into the team. I was only 19 and playing every week, so it maybe came a bit early for me. The boss has been really good. He has told me to keep my head up and put an arm around my shoulder. He told me he does rate me, which is good to hear."
RESULTSUEFA Intertoto Cup second round second leg
IF Elfsborg 2, Hibernian 0 (agg: 4-0); Bohemians 2, FK Riga 1 (agg: 2-2, Riga won on away goals); Besa 0, Grasshoppers 3 (agg: 1-5); Honved 0, Teplice 2 (agg: 3-3, Honved win on away goals); FK Neftchi 1, Germinal Beerschot 0 (agg: 2-1); Bnei Sachnin 1, Renova 0 (agg: 3-1); Nova Gorica 0, Chernomorets Burgas 2 (agg: 1-3).
Friendly matches: Aberdeen 0, Man Utd 2; Annan Athletic 0, Queen of the South 5; Berwick 4, Airdrie Utd 3; Gala Fairydean 0, Stranraer 3; Tranmere 0, Liverpool 1; Fleetwood Town 1, Blackpool 2; FC Zurich 2, Aston Villa 1; Didcot Town 0, Reading 9; FC Sion 0, Everton 1; Wrexham 1, Wolverhampton 0; Worthing 0, Brighton 4.
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