Published: 21 August, 2009, 12:32
Edited: 21 August, 2009, 12:32
Russia's three representatives in the inaugural Europa League returned from their first-leg playoff travels without a single win. However, all three sides have chances of progressing to the group stages intact.
2008 UEFA Cup Zenit St. Petersburg lost 4-3 to Nacional in Portugal in one of the night's most uncompromising struggles. After going two goals down Igor Semshov pulled one back just before the break. Nacional quickly restored their lead, but another goal from Semshov kept Zenit in the tie.
Another goal, coming 17 minutes before the final whistle, looked to have given Nacional a two-goal cushion for the second leg but substitute Fatih Tekke popped up to score Zenit's third deep into injury time.
Meanwhile, Amkar faced a stern test in the shape of English Premiership side Fulham. The Perm side conceded four minutes into the game thanks to an Andrew Johnson opener for Fulham.
In the second half, Clint Dempsy and Bobby Zamora put the Londoners three up. However, Amkar kept themselves in the tie with a volley by substitute Vitaly Grishin in the 77th minute to make it 3-1.
Elsewhere, Dynamo Moscow held Bulgaria's CSKA Sofia to a 0-0 draw.
The second legs will be played in a week, on August 27.