UEFA Europa League

Valencia 4 - Stabaek 1

Valencia: Moyà; Miguel (Bruno 73'), David Navarro, Maduro, Mathieu; Joaquín, Albelda (Banega 69'), Míchel, Mata (Olcina 56'); Miku, Zigic. 4-4-2.
Stabaek: Austbo; Segerstrom, Hoiland (Skjonsberg 74'), Rogne, Hedenstad; Hoff (Stenvoll 77'), Hauger, Diskerud, Kobayashi; Farnerud, Aase (Berglund 69'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 27. Miku. Ran through and fired strong shot past Austbo.
2-0. 28. Miku. Dribbled round keeper and rolled ball in to net.
2-1. 35. Farnerud. Got on end of cross to beat Moyà with angled shot
3-1. 76. Zigic. Guided header wide of Austbo from Joaquín's corner.
4-1. 80. Miku. Picked up Olcina pass and steered shot wide of keeper.

Valencia had no problems seeing off Stabaek, and they followed up their three goal victory in Norway with a 4-1 victory in the Mestalla to qualify for the league stage of the competition. Unai Emery decided that there was little risk of being knocked out, and he gave a run out to some of his lesser used players, with Zigic leading the attack. It was his young strike partner Miku though who impressed more than anyone, the Venezuelan forward scoring twice in a minute midway through the first half to put the result beyond doubt.

Farnerud did get one back before the break against a back four who were just getting to know each other, but Zigic got himself in on the act with his side's third goal, heading in Joaquín's cross with a quarter of an hour to go. Mku completed his hat-trick five minutes later after he was set up by another of Valencia's promising youngsters Olcina, but by then it was more than over. It's not the Champions League, but the Mestalla stadium will at least see some European football this season.