Russian clubs winless on Europa League travels

Russia's three representatives in the Europa League returned from their first-leg playoff travels without a win between them, but with their chances of progress to the group stages intact.

Zenit St. Petersburg, winners of the 2007/2008 UEFA Cup, lost 4-3 to Nacional in Portugal in one of the night's best games. After going two down by the 37th minute, Igor Semshov pulled one back just before the break. Nacional quickly restored their two-goal lead, but another goal from Semshov kept Zenit in the tie.

A 73rd minute goal looked to have given Nacional a two-goal cushion for the second leg before substitute Fatih Tekke popped up to score Zenit's third deep into injury time.

Amkar, in London to face Fulham at Craven Cottage, conceded a goal in the 4th minute, Andrew Johnson scoring from close in. Clint Dempsy put the Londoners two up with a second-half strike and a well-taken Bobby Zamora goal with 15 minutes left made it 3-0. However, Amkar kept themselves in the tie with a volley by substitute Vitaly Grishin in the 77th minute to make it 3-1.

Dynamo Moscow held Bulgaria's CSKA Sofia to a 0-0 draw and were unlucky to have had a penalty appeal turned down in the first half.

The second leg ties take place on August 27.