Hnk Sibenik 0
Sliema Wanderers 0

Mark Marlow's cautious reaped the desired dividends yesterday as Sliema Wanderers held Croatian team HNK Sibenik to a goalless draw in the first leg of their Europa League first qualifying round tie.

Sliema went into yesterday's match at the SC Hrvatskih Vitezova stadium, in Dugopolje, with the sole aim of pulling off a result that would keep them in contention to progress to the second qualifying round.

Viktor Szentpeteri, Sliema's goalkeeper, was prominent with a string of good saves to stop efforts by Antonio Jakolis and Mehmed Alispahic in the first half.

The Blues, who were without defender Josef Mifsud, suspended, and right-back Alex Muscat, injured, were close through efforts by Emiliano Lattes and Ivan Woods which were blocked by Sibenik goalkeeper Goran Blazevic.

Sibenik created several chances in the second half but Sliema kept them at bay.

The second leg is on Thursday at the Centenary Stadium.

Sliema: V. Szentpeteri, A. Portulez, I. Azzopardi, B. Muscat, S. Souare, M. Scerri, J. Mifsud Triganza ('90 N. Turner), E. Lattes, C. Gatt Baldacchino, I. Woods, J. Mintoff ('57 C. Failla).

Referee: Markus Strombergsson (Sweden).

Results: D. Tbilisi vs FC Flora 2-1; Tobol vs Zrinjski 1-2; Ulisses vs B. Yehuda 0-0; Laci vs D. Mogilev 1-1; Narva JK Trans vs MyPa 0-2; Rabotnicki vs Lusitanos 5-0; S. Karagandy vs R. Chorzow 1-2; FK Tirana vs Zalaegerszeg 0-0; T. Zhodino vs Fylkir 3-0; Z. Golubovci vs D. Chisinau 1-1; FC Olimpia vs K. Lenkoran 0-0; FK Karabakh vs FK Metalurg 4-1; Nitra vs Gyor 2-2; TPS Turku vs Port Talbot 3-1; Zestafoni vs Faetano 5-0; Anorthosis vs Banants 3-0; Randers vs Dudelange 6-1; UE Santa Coloma vs Mogren 0-3; Grevenmacher vs Dundalk 3-3; Portadown vs FC Skonto 1-1; NSI vs Gefle 0-2; Llanelli vs FK Tauras 2-2; O. Ljubljana vs Siroki 0-2; Kalmar vs EB 1-0; Reykjavik vs Glentoran 3-0.

Second legs: July 8.