Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O’Neill saluted the best team he has come across in European competition after seeing Rubin Kazan ease their way to Europa League victory in Tallaght.

SADLY, no heroics from Shamrock Rovers on Irish football’s long-awaited debut in the group stages of European competition.

Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O’Neill remains convinced his side will collect Europa League points after they were taught a harsh lesson by Rubin Kazan.

Shamrock Rovers 0 Rubin Kazan 1

Former Tottenham midfielder Rohan Ricketts was handed a start in Shamrock Rovers’ opening Europa League Group A clash with Rubin Kazan.

MANCHESTER UNITED still require a point to finish top of their Champions League qualifying group after Alex Ferguson fielded a Carling Cup side against Besiktas at Old Trafford and was punished with a 1-0 defeat.

Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster was back between the posts for his side’s Champions League clash with Besiktas at Old Trafford.

GOKDENIZ KARADENIZ stuck a second-half winner as Rubin Kazan claimed a shock Champions League victory over reigning European champions Barcelona at the Nou Camp last night.

ALBERT RIERA struck astoppage-time winner as European champions Spain bounced back from a half-time deficit to defeat Turkey inIstanbul and further strengthen their stranglehold on Group Five.

Peter Crouch was given his chance to keep Liverpool’s Champions League dreams alive with a place in Rafael Benitez’s starting line-up for this crucial Group A clash at Anfield.

ROMANIA routed Germany 5-1 in a friendly last night, giving the World Cup runners-up a major headache just over a month before the start of Euro 2004.