Intertoto Cup

Villarreal 1 - Maribor 2

A disastrous start for Villarreal in their opening match of the season, a 1-2 defeat at the hands of Maribor leaving them facing the prospects of a season without European football. Pellegrini's side fell behind five minutes before the break when Rakic's free kick bounced past Barbosa into the top of the net, and just two minutes after the restart Josemi got himself sent off for a foul on Popkleka. The locals rallied after that though, Nihat setting up Diego Forlán for the equaliser, and Forlán and Cani both had chances to put the Spaniards ahead. But with seven minutes to go Mihelic restored the lead for the visitors on a quick breakaway, and it will take something special in the second leg in Slovenia next week if Villarreal are not to fall at the first hurdle this time around. (15.07.06)