LONDON -- Gordon Durie scored for Glasgow Rangers in the 68th minute to give the Scottish club a 1-0 victory over lightly regarded Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus in one of eight European Champions League preliminary round first-leg matches Wednesday.
The Scots had hoped for a brighter start to their European campaign after failing to qualify for the Champions' League the last two seasons, and after spending millions to boost their lineup in the off-season. Now they need at least a draw in the second-leg game, scheduled for Aug. 23.
The winner of the two-leg tie qualifies for the lucrative European Cup Champions' League, while the losers will miss out on further European competition this season.
Ranger's key transfer, England star Paul Gascoigne, 28, playing in his first official match after a move from Lazio, failed to live up to his billing.
The Scots missed several scoring chances and Gascoigne's frustration in what was also his European debut bubbled over shortly after the break, when he was warned but not given a yellow card by the Belgian referee.
Bulgarian striker Nicolai Todorov, whose goal for Levski Sofia cost Ran-gers a place in the Champions' League the season before last, threatened to haunt the Scottish champions again.
Scotland goalkeeper Andy Goram twice stood between Todorov and a precious away goal for the Cypriots with outstanding first half saves.
Seasoned European campaigner Anderlecht crashed 1-0 at home to Ferencvaros. A 58th minute strike by Zoran Kuntics, who beat Anderlecht goalkeeper Geert De Vlieger with a low 20-meter shot, gave the Hungarian side the victory in the first leg in Brussels.
Greek champion Panathinaikos, playing in front of empty stands in Athens because of a UEFA ban for crowd trouble last season, was held to a 0-0 draw by Hajduk Split of Croatia.
Swiss champions Grasshopper Zurich were held 1-1 at home by Maccabi Tel Aviv which scored through Kachenzev in the 55th minute, just five minutes after falling behind.
Norway's Rosenborg were the only team to score more than one goal on the night, beating Turkey's Besiktas 3-0.
(For other results, see Scorecard.)
()
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.