By Charlie Henderson

Player of the day: He was only on the pitch for about 30 minutes but Tottenham's Jermain Defoe leads the way with a mark of 8.53. Other men deserving of a mention are Everton's Joleon Lescott, Dons duo Alexander Diamond and Andrew Considine and Bolton's Gerald Cid - the latter for a truly horrendous display and equally horrendous score of 3.06.

"Poor and no excuses for Blackburn, Everton and Bolton. Remember who they were playing against - not exactly world-beaters. Oh dear. And I thought each of them could win the UEFA Cup."
Hidram on 606

2222: FULL-TIME Everton 1-1 Metalist Kharkiv
Frustrating for Everton and they face a tricky test in a fortnight. They're in good company. Four of Britain's five representatives have a lot of work to do when the second legs are played on Thursday 4 October. Top marks to Tottenham who can enjoy their trip to Cyprus.

2221: Andrew Johnson has the ball in the net but it won't count. Victor Anichebe fouled Oleksandr Goryainov as the pair jumped for a high ball in the box.

2220: Everton break themselves and this could be it after that naive attack from Metalist. Papa steps in with a blocking challenge on Victor Anichebe.

2219: The Metalers are holding firm... and even break.

2118: Joleon Lescott has a pop but his low drive can't find a way through the massed ranks of yellow shirts.

2117: Nine-man Metalist are standing firm and Joseph Yobo's header lacks power.

2116: Long-range specialist James McFadden cracks in a left-footed effort which is well saved by Oleksandr Goryainov low to his left.

2115: Six minutes of added time at Goodison Park. There has been something for everyone on Merseyside tonight... and there's time for some more.

2114: PENALTY MISS Everton
...Andrew Johnson blazes over.

2113: RED CARD Metalist
Olexandr Babych gets a second booking as he concedes a second penalty. Victor Anichebe is the man wrestled to the ground again and Andrew Johnson is the man who steps up for the spot kick again...

2211: Hicham Mahdoufi's proving a real handful for Everton. He wriggles through on the left byeline but nobody is there to stab in his pass.

2207: Inside the last 10 minutes at Goodison Park.

2206: Everton are fuming as Fritz Stuchlik turns down a penalty appeal after Victor Anichebe is wrestled to the ground by Papa. Unbelievable. How was that not a penalty? The Austrian referee is not a popular figure.

2205: Leon Osman's piledriver of a shot is beaten away.

2203: GOAL Everton 1-1 Metalist Kharkiv
Metalist break down the left where substitute Hicham Mahdoufi crosses into the box and Venans Zeze converts.

2200: Victor Anichebe shoots straight at Oleksandr Goryainov. Either side and that would have been two.

"Everton need to take advantage of that Seweryn Gancarczyk red card to increase their lead otherwise 1-0 will not be enough."
Justice_wa_Baruti on 606

2156: PENALTY SAVE Metalist
Andrew Johnson scores with his first spot-kick but is recalled from his wheeling celebration as Victor Anichebe was a foot inside the box. Fussy refereeing from the Austrian, but that is the letter of the law. AJ sees his second effort saved and he is still yet to score this season.

2155: FULL-TIME Aberdeen 0-0 Dnipro
A good performance from the Dons. The return will be tough, but if they can score any away goal could see them through.

2153: RED CARD Metalist
Seweryn Gancarczyk is off for something he said to referee Fritz Stuchlik after the Austrian had awarded a penalty to Everton when Olexandr Babych hauled down Joleon Lescott in the box. Both Ukrainian players get yellow cards, which in Gancarczyk's case adds up to a red.

2152: Aberdeen are happy with a goalless draw. Boss Jimmy Calderwood tells Chris Clark to slow his walk to the touchline as he is withdrawn from the action.

2150: Impressive Dnipro centre-back Andriy Rusol climbs well to head clear Michael Hart's cross. There will be four more minutes at Pittodrie.

2149: Aberdeen's Richard Foster fashions an overhead kick in the box but it is well cleared. Is this the start of one last push from the Dons.

2147: FULL-TIME Tottenham 6-1 Famagusta
Spurs fans can start thinking about the group stage.

2146: GOAL Tottenham 6-1 Famagusta
That's two for Jermain Defoe and another fine effort from outside the area. He collects Tom Huddlestone's pass, turns and finds an inch of space before arrowing a shot into the top corner.

2144: Alexander Diamond throws himself at a fierce Dnipro shot on the edge of the area. A little over five minutes remaining for Aberdeen.

2141: The leaden-booted Yakubu fails to catch a shot properly and his effort is easily saved by Oleksandr Goryainov.

2138: Have Dnipro weathered the Aberdeen storm? It looks disturbingly like they have. The men in white are seeing more of the ball and are pushing their hosts back a bit for once.

2136: GOAL Tottenham 5-1 Famagusta
If Radek Cerny had his binoculars handy he might have got more than a hand to that. Out of nothing something for that sizeable Cypriot support to cheer. Anton Zlogar toe-pokes a shot between two Spurs defenders and in at the post. Tough for Cerny, binos or no binos.

2133: Hope fans behind the Tottenham goal at White Hart Lane have got the binoculars handy as play is predominantly up the other end.

2131: Aberdeen's Chris Clark pounces on a Dnipro mistake but his left-footed shot is deflected wide for a corner. Nothing comes from the corner. Steve Lovell is on for Derek Young.

2130: Andrew Johnson and Lee Carsley - The Bald Blues Brothers - get things going again for Everton against Metalist.

2127: Aaron Lennon's had a quiet return to the Tottenham ranks, but there's a little bit of the old zip down the right flank.

2123: Great little passage of play from Aberdeen, but still no breakthrough. Derek Young goes close.

2120: GOAL Tottenham 5-0 Famagusta
Jermain Defoe reminds Martin Jol of what he can do in front of goal just 90 seconds after coming off the bench. He picks up a loose ball on the edge of the area and dinks a looping effort home with the feathery touch of Tiger Woods around the green.

2119: How did Aberdeen not break the deadlock there? Four runners look to get on the end of Barry Nicholson's tempting free-kick but nobody can get that all-important touch.

2117: Tottenham's Michael Dawson takes the captain's armband as Robbie Keane trots off to be replaced by Jermain Defoe. A huge roar greets the diminutive England striker's introduction.

2114: HALF-TIME Everton 1-0 Metalist Kharkiv
Everton have had more possession but Metalist have had the better openings.

"Does Yakubu wear lead boots or is his first touch just woeful? What a waste of money."
Captain Rabseye via text on 81111

2113: Joleon Lescott is sniffing out a second goal and gets on the end of Leon Osman's cross-shot but heads over from an acute angle.

2111: The pace of the game is much slower at White Hart Lane. Tottenham are in cruise control and will look to pick their opponents off as and when.

2109: Chris Clark dances forward to the edge of the Dnipro area and his shot is pushed on to the post by Vyacheslav Kernozenko. Thrilling tempo in the Granite City.

2107: Corner for Aberdeen but Scott Severin is pinged for a foul as the ball comes in. The corner came from Dnipro's inability to deal with another high ball into the box. Definite tactic the Dons need to pursue before the night's out.

2105: Just 40 seconds into the second half at Pittodrie and Konstyantyn Kravchenko thumps an effort on goal which is tipped over by Jamie Langfield.

2100: Tottenham and Famagusta get going again. Full house at Spurs with 2,000 visiting supporters swelling the ranks. Imagine how few people would turn up to watch Chelsea in the Uefa Cup?

Player rater: Still early days but you make Robbie Keane the front runner for player of the day. Disagree? Get involved and change the world.

2053: Metalist look to get back on terms straight away. Stefan Wessels can't hold Marko Devic's long-range shot, but nobody follows up and the German grabs it at the second attempt.

2051: FULL-TIME Rabotnicki Kometal 1-1 Bolton
Let's look on the bright side, Wanderers have got that away goal. The Bolton boys are now going back to their hotel to shower and change as they don't think much of the facilities at the ground.

2051: GOAL Everton 1-0 Metalist Kharkiv
Joleon Lescott meets James McFadden's corner with a thundering header, although suspect keeping from Oleksandr Goryainov. It went through his hands from five yards out.

2050: HALF-TIME Aberdeen 0-0 Dnipro
The Dons are looking good. The big question is whether they stick for the draw or twist for the win?

""Nae bad" from Aberdeen in the first half, but I'm sure all Dons fans are thinking we aren't going to score, and they'll get one on the break."
RidRed on 606

2049: HALF-TIME Tottenham 4-0 Famagusta
Spurs are looking like world beaters. Who needs Juande Ramos? Or Jose Mourinho?

"On current form Spurs are capable of losing by 5 away from home."
nigusa on 606

2045: After a bright start at Goodison things have settled down a touch. Everton are yet to threaten the Metalist goal.

2043: GOAL Tottenham 4-0 Famagusta
What's going on at White Hart Lane? Spurs have gone goal crazy. There's an almighty mix up at the back for Famagusta and Tom Huddlestone's huge upfield pass is diverted to Darren Bent with the keeper well and truly out of the picture. Bent slides in and squeezes the ball home from a difficult angle.

2042: GOAL Tottenham 3-0 Famagusta
Robbie Keane controls Benoit Assou-Ekotto's forward pass on the edge of the box with his first touch and then spins to fire in with his second.

2041: GOAL Rabotnicki Kometal 1-1 Bolton
Bolton are back in the mix with a goal from Abdoulaye Meite. It's a lucky break for Wanderers after a goalkeeping howler from Filip Madzovski but who cares? Madzovski spills Nicolas Anelka's free-kick and Meite reacts quickest to get his side back on level terms.

2039: GOAL Tottenham 2-0 Famagusta
Another corner and another goal for a Spurs centre-back. Pascal Chimbonda climbs high to nod down Robbie Keane's delivery and it is straight into the path of Michael Dawson who touches it over the line.

2037: Barry Nicholson's through on the right for Aberdeen but his weak shot doesn't beat Vyacheslav Kernozenko at the near post.

2034: A scare for Aberdeen as Serhiy Nazarenko gets a sight of goal for Dnipro. He's their danger man.

2033: An excellent finger-tip save from Everton keeper Stefan Wessels who flings himself at full flight to push Serhiy Valyayev's fierce long-distance effort over.

2032: Bolton remain very much second best in Macedonia. Don't hold your breath waiting for an equaliser. No seriously, don't.

"Sack Little Sam now before it's too late! He can't run a bath never mind a football team!"
ChinSwinger on 606

2029: Robbie Keane whips an inviting low cross into the box but Darren Bent makes a right hash of it. The good thing is he doesn't make contact so it rolls through to Benoit Assou-Ekotto. The bad thing is Bent hammers his return cross high over the bar.

2027: Everton and Metalist are finally up and running. The yellow-shirted visitors get the ball rolling.

2025: Alexander Diamond comes steaming in at the back post to meet Jamie Smith's deep corner but fails to test Dnipro's keeper.

2023: The players emerge at Goodison Park. Looks like they could get going before that re-arranged start time of 2030 BST.

"I am sure that I could be Famagusta's first choice center back... and I am an American. Their defense looks really shaky."
n00basaurus on 606
Would never have guessed you were American. Good to have you on board.

2017: Finally some good news for long-suffering British football fans. It is all Tottenham. Yes, it was all Tottenham against Fulham and they had chance to put Arsenal to bed as well. Surely this is third time lucky.

2015: Bolton are at sixes and sevens at the back at the moment and they are very lucky to see Ivan Trickovski's shot go just over the bar after another ball into the box causes panic.

2010: GOAL Rabotnicki 1-0 Bolton
Pandemonium in Skopje. Where's the bloke with the fireworks because this is a celebration and a half? Nemanja Milisavljevic smashes a fine finish past Jussi Jaaskelainen after Bolton's centre-backs fail to deal with a routine ball into the box. Disaster for Wanderers. Delight for Rabotnicki.

2008: Dnipro keeper Vyacheslav Kernozenko makes a fine, fine save from Andrew Considine one-on-one after a looping ball into the box caused the visitors trouble. A firm wrist and arm from the stopper to block the effort.

2006: Well, that explains why there is no sign of Everton yet. Delayed kick-off at Goodison Park. Ticket and traffic problems. Is that a bad omen?

2005: GOAL Tottenham 1-0 Famagusta
Yes, yes, yes. A goal. At blinking last. Younes Kaboul makes a darting run to the near post and meets Tom Huddlestone's corner with a firm header. In the excitement it was momentarily credited to Famagusta in the score here and at the top of the page. Apologies if that caused a flutter for Spurs fans. We were all a flutter this end at a goal going in for a British side.

"As if we don't have enough problems at White Hart Lane now even the BBC give our goals away!"
Lee, at work in Gatwick, via text on 81111

2004: Aberdeen are up and running against Dnipro.

2003: Bolton resume.

2000: Tottenham kick-off against Famagusta.

1958: There's a bit of rugby starting now down in Wales and there's still tip-and-run going on somewhere in South Africa between two teams who aren't England if divine intervention isn't your thing.

1956: Tottenham emerge against their Cypriot opponents, who are all in blue. No sign of the boys in blue from Merseyside yet.

"I noticed that Mother Teresa was born in Skopje. Would it be wrong to pray for divine intervention?"
BrooklynTony on 606
It must be worth a go. Beggars can't be choosers. Have you got one of those cushions so we don't hurt our knees?

1947: Half-time fireworks outside the stadium in Skopje. Way better than anything inside the stadium. That's even better than Nderim Nedzipi.

1946: HALF-TIME Rabotnicki Kometal 0-0 Bolton
The best thing about that was the name Nderim Nedzipi.

"I'm quite tired of the joking about names on BBC. If you're gonna do a clever play on words, fine, I'm all for it. But making fun of spellings and letter arrangements gets old rather quickly and smacks of childish playground antics. Grow out of it and try some higher-class humor, please."
Xiner on 606
Crikey, chill out. It's a nice name. Kevin Nolan's not so nice. So what?

1945: Nicolas Anelka rounds the keeper and puts the ball in... the side-netting. Woeful after a good touch and nice play to set him up from Gary Speed.

1942: Tottenham's Cypriot opponents Anorthosis, managed by one-time Newcastle midfielder Temuri Ketsbaia, have a European pedigree of sorts: they beat Trabzonspor, of Turkey, in a Champions League qualifier two summers ago before exiting to Rangers.

"I can see Jol unleashing the fury tonight and Tottenham winning at least 3-0!"
Glenn via text on 81111

"Anorthosis Famagusta. Sounds more like a posh Greek to me rather than a football team.
Dave, in Edinburgh, via text on 81111
A posh Greek what?

1939: You wouldn't really think Rabotnicki against Bolton could be less enthralling than Blackburn's horror show against Larissa, but it is. At least if you were in a pub you could disappear to the bar or play pool. Try being chained to a desk. Who remembers when the Uefa Cup was good?

1937: TEAM NEWS Everton v Metalist Kharkiv
Andrew Johnson starts and Scotland hero James McFadden gets a rare Everton run out from the starting whistle as well. Lee Carsley is also included. Phil Jagielka drops to the bench and Mikel Arteta, Tim Howard and Thomas Gravesen are injured.

1936: TEAM NEWS Aberdeen v Dnipro
With Darren Mackie failing a late fitness test, Aberdeen push midfielder Jamie Smith up to support striker Lee Miller. Goalkeeper Jamie Langfield, out of favour so far this season, is recalled with Derek Soutar dropped to the bench.

"I went to watch Boro play Dnipro a few years ago and they were awful, we beat them 3-0 and they didn't attack all night. Hope that gives Pars fans a bit of confidence."
iwz678 on 606
And Dons fans as well.

1933: Kevin Nolan fizzes an effort over the bar and then comic capers as the referee falls over. Oh the fun of it.

1931: TEAM NEWS Tottenham v Anorthosis Famagusta
Some good news at last for under-pressure Spurs manager Martin Jol - England winger Aaron Lennon makes his first start since knee surgery in the summer. Benoit Assou-Ekotto is also back from a knee complaint, while Darren Bent partners Robbie Keane in attack. There is even a place on the bench for Jermain Defoe.

1929: Yellow cards left, right and centre for Bolton at the minute. Nicky Hunt is in the book for a trip.

1928: Kevin Davies heads El Hadji Diouf's corner straight at keeper Madzovski.

1926: In the desert of silence that is 606 a lone voice who wants Mark Hughes to get the sack. Crikey, you've all gone home and left me with Horadrim the mad man. Fair enough Blackburn didn't play well, but it was their first loss since April. Surely he deserves a stay of execution... at least until after Portsmouth on Sunday.

1925: Gary Speed is booked for talking back to the referee. He really should know better. OK, Rabotnicki's Ertan Demiri rolled about a bit too much but Speed should be wise to such antics.

1924: Nderim Nedzipi's shot is too hot to handle for Jussi Jaaskelainen. The rebound goes wide and Bolton are on the back foot. Booking for Gavin McCann.

1922: Bolton are looking super uncomfortable. Nervous looks at referee Zsolt Szabo as there's a hint of handball in the box from Abdoulaye Meite.

1920: Bolton are looking super comfortable.

1918: Dnipro look much more of a handful. One loss this season, second in the league and the joint best defence. One defeat in 11.

1916: Not much to report from Skopje and not much in the inbox from you lot - anyone out there? - so we'll stick with a bit of Metalist chat. They were hammered 3-0 at the weekend at Dnipro. Handy that in terms of a fluid link up to Aberdeen as they host said Dnipro. A dream segue.

1913: Metalist have won four of their nine games but have yet to notch a victory away from home. Good news for Toffees out there.

"Metalist is a very good team and don't be surprised if they even beat Everton. They used to beat the mighty Dynamo Kiev. And Kharkiv is the third biggest city in Uraine after Kiev and Odessa. The name Metalist come from the fact that it is an industrial centre for agricultural tractors.
Justice_wa_Baruti on 606
No idea how much of that is true but I love it all - especially the tractors.

1911: Tim the Toffee has been doing his homework on Metalist Kharkiv ahead of their trip to Everton and let's us know they are fifth in the Ukrainian top flight at the moment. As for whether Andrew Johnson will start, we'll let you know as soon as.

1907: Rabotnicki look to break at pace but Gavin McCann is alive to any danger.

1905: Oooohs and Aaaahs from the home crowd as Jussi Jaaskelainen just about gets his clearance away following a back pass from Gerald Cid.

1901: Oh dear. Not exactly the promising Bolton opening we wanted. Poor clearance from Jussi Jaaskelainen and a chance for Ivan Trickovski. That should wake the Wanderers up a bit.

1858: The players are out at Skopje. Coming up to eight o'clock local time.

"I have a feeling Rabotnicki Kometal is the arch enemy of Sonic the Hedgehog."
Simon, via text on 81111

1853: As well as keeping an eye on Bolton's progress we'll be looking ahead to those three later games and as your correspondent is seriously flagging give us some pep with some humourous banter on 606 and via text on 81111. And what can you share with us about tonight's opponents in the various games.

1849: Bolton in Skopje is first stop, before a flurry of starts in a little over an hour at 2000 BST and they are all home games for British teams Everton, Tottenham and Aberdeen.

1846: So then, one down - and almost out - and four to go. It surely can't get any worse than that miserable opening for Rovers. Bolton next up, but since their whole season has been pretty miserable so far don't bet on it.

1845: TEAM NEWS Rabotnicki Kometal v Bolton
Bottom of the Premier League Bolton show three changes to the team that lost to Birmingham. Kevin Davies, Gerald Cid and Ricardo Gardner come in. Mikel Alonso, Andy O'Brien and Jlloyd Samuel drop out.

1800: Bit of down time this end before the action resumes with Rabotnicki Kometal against Bolton at 1900 BST. Let's say meet you back here at 1845 BST.

Player rater: Rovers have not set the bar very high in terms of results or performances for Britain's four other Uefa Cup teams. Brad Friedel and Roque Santa Cruz show the best and are neck and neck on 5.59 - behind all but one of Larissa's starting XI.

"Disgusting. Not one positive performance."
UglytoyKane on 606

1751: FULL-TIME Larissa 2-0 Blackburn
Happy days for the Greeks and Rovers will need to rev it right up when the teams meet in the return at Ewood Park on Thursday 4 October.

"This is seriously concerning. Our defence, which has generally always been strong, was the worst today that its been under Sparky. I don't know if Samba's absence was the reason we lost, but regardless, we must improve for the 2nd tie in all areas if we want to carry on in Europe. But can we really beat them 3-0 at Ewood?"

1750: They understandably take their time over it before a flashing delivery over the box.

1749: Larissa finish with a corner.

1748: Ibrahima Bakayoko and Zurab Khizanishvili have a little coming together. Something out of nothing, but it's the most fight Rovers have shown all 90... and bit.

1747: Four minutes of added time to come. It only took Larissa 75 seconds to score twice so Blackburn could in theory still slot four goals. If only.

1745: Christos Kalantzis has had an all-action cameo. The sub has only just come on and after that run into the box he is now being scooted off the pitch aboard a buggy on a stretcher after coming down with a clatter from a challenge for a high ball with David Bentley.

1744: Another David Dunn effort on goal. Better, but still wide.

1743: That is maybe Blackburn's best little spell of the game, but it's still more Paul Daniels than David Blaine. David Dunn caps it with a weak shot that dribbles well wide.

1742: Christos Kalantzis breaks from halfway down the Larissa left, but the ball gets caught in his feet as he gets into the box and Robbie Savage is back to mop up the danger.

1740: David Bentley is booked for diving in the box. Another poor decision by German ref Peter Sippel. Bentley just lost his footing and slid to the ground on his knees after a slaloming run.

1739: Mark Hughes is absolutely fuming at his team. They last tasted defeat in April 15 games ago but have been terrible here. Clueless and lacking in every department.

1738: Into the last 10 minutes.

1737: Bad decision from referee Peter Sippel as he fails to spot Brett Emerton getting the last touch on the ball instead of Cleyton. It should be a corner. At least something has finally gone for Rovers.

1736: Is this deserving of a 'Greek Tragedy' headline in tomorrow's papers?

1735: Strange change for Blackburn when you want goals. OK, Benni McCarthy hasn't been all that today but the striker is replaced by midfielder Tugay.

1734: Brad Friedel, skipper in place of the injured Ryan Nelsen, punches a Larissa corner clear.

1731: Rovers boss Mark Hughes is pacing the running track that circles the pitch with a thunderous look as dark as the Greek evening sky. Short straw gets the seat next to him on the flight home.

"This is awful! we don't even deserve to be in the Uefa Cup with this performance!"
Alter Rover on 606

1727: An absolutely blinding save from Brad Friedel keeps Rovers in the game. Ibrahima Bakayoko shrugs off Zurab Khizanishvili by the corner flag and picks out Cleyton in the box. One-on-one. Friedel saves with his legs. The Brazilian has his head in his hands. So does his boss on the touchline. Gilt-edged.

1724: Roque Santa Cruz bursts into the box on the left but his toe-poke to support evades any team-mates and bobbles away from David Bentley.

1721: Ibrahima Bakayoko doesn't deserve top billing on that showing. He swings a leg at a pull back from the left. Any form of connection and that would have been curtains for Rovers. Instead it's an airshot and Blackburn get a let off.

Player rater: No surprise in that Larissa hold all the aces in your eyes. Ibrahima Bakayoko is top dog with a mark of 8.14. Roque Santa Cruz is Blackburn's best on 5.78 and Stephen Warnock needs to hang his head in shame. A mark of just 3.84.

1718: A second Rovers substitution. Matt Derbyshire replaces the largely anonymous Morten Gamst Pedersen. Three all-out strikers on now.

1717: Zurab Khizanishvili makes a vital early contribution, blocking as Larissa threaten to score a third. Marcelo Samiento's follow-up is also blocked as Rovers throw all hands on deck at the back.

"The comedy Portsmouth goalkeeper Kostas Chalkias was born in Larissa. Sorry, utterly spurious effort to link Larissa to English football other than Donis."
Jim F, in London, via text on 81111Jim, we like spurious. Many don't, but we do.

1714: Rovers make the change. The hobbling Ryan Nelsen makes way for the far more sprightly Zurab Khizanishvili. That's a second-choice paring at the heart of the defence now.

1711: More trouble for Rovers as skipper Ryan Nelsen goes down. No contact from anyone, he was just chasing the ball.

1710: Good chance for Roque Santa Cruz but his header falls between two stools so to speak. He gets on the end of a ball over the top but can't loop his header over the on-rushing keeper on goal. By the way, there aren't actually any stools out there... of any type.

1708: A request for the teams in full so here they are... just click the link. Apologies for the delay in that but there were some early technical problems today that meant they didn't come through.

1705: Excellent free-kick from Georgios Fotakis which Brad Friedel pushes away high in the box. Nikos Dabizas is hunting out the follow up header but can't get to it through a crowd of blue and white shirts.

1704: Ryan Nelsen lunges in on Ibrahima Bakayoko from behind on the edge of the box. Reckless and could prove costly.

1702: Blackburn get the ball rolling on the second 45.

"Come on Blackburn, get into gear. You can't lose to a team with a woman's name."
GoonerDoogal on 606 on 606

"Maybe George Donis wants the Chelsea job?"
Rich, via text on 81111

"Classic case of under-estimating the opposition. Looks like the players had the mindset that the result was a forgone conclusion."
RibbleValleyRover on 606

"Go on Wiki and search for Henry VIII, then apologise. He was one of the most athletic Kings of all time.
Harry Hotspur via text on 81111
Sorry. Wiki you say. It must be true then. Still don't fancy a 100-yard sprint in a cod piece.

1645: HALF-TIME Larissa 2-0 Blackburn
That's the break and Mark Hughes has some talking to do.

1644: Rovers end the half a little brighter than they have played most of it, but still no way through as Morten Gamst Pedersen's header from David Bentley is blocked at the back post.

1640: David Bentley deep on the right by the corner flag looking to get behind the home defence. His cross is cleared by the towering Marco Foerster.

Player rater: Don't forget to give your verdict on the players and mark them out of 10. Not many Rovers players will be near double figures, especially the defenders.

1636: Larissa's other goalscorer Ibrahima Bakayoko is in the wars now having been caught by Brett Emerton as he played a pass away.

1635: Stephen Warnock is booked for a two-footed lunge on goalscorer Cleyton near the touchline.

1633: GOAL Larissa 2-0 Blackburn
If Rovers were dozing for the first goal they are positively asleep now. Madness in defence, Larissa pounce on a weak back pass from Brett Emerton and the visitors are all at sea. Georgios Fotakis has an effort parried, Ibrahima Bakayoko's shot is blocked before the ball is worked to Cleyton on the right and Brazilian sweeps the ball home. Just 75 seconds between the goals.

1631: GOAL Larissa 1-0 Blackburn
The game doesn't deserve a goal that good. Ibrahima Bakayoko escapes a clutch of players and lets fly from 30-odd yards. His thumping left-footed shot dips over Brad Friedel after taking a slight deflection.

1630: A corner for Blackburn to defend. Nikos Dabizas can't find the target with his header.

"I've just worked out. If you add all the British teams opponents names up you score 7,946 at Scrabble! Yes, I'm bored."
Craig Travers, in Bristol, via text on 81111
You should try having to watch this rubbish.

1628: Roque Santa Cruz slips the ball to Robbie Savage outside the box but the Welshman's strike is straight at Stefanos Kotsolis.

1626: Some great abuse in the text inbox, but no name and you don't get published. Henry VIII fast in his prime? You're having a laugh. That cod piece would have slowed him down big time.

1623: Brett Emerton is tugged back by Panagiotis Katsiaros and David Bentley can have a go from the right. No he can't. Morten Gamst Pedersen has a pop from the free-kick straight at the wall.

1620: Another free-kick for David Bentley wide on the left... and it's another poor one straight at the keeper.

1617: Benni McCarthy has a hopeful appeal for a penalty after a tangle with Marco Foerster. Very hopeful. He hooked a ball into the big defender and wanted a handball.

1613: Georgios Donis is looking good on the sidelines. Not quite an adonis but suited and booted and scrubbed up well. Better than his shooting then Craig...

"Donis was as fast as Henry but couldn't hit a donkey's behind with a banjo."
Craig, in Oxford, via text on 81111
Assume that's Thierry Henry and not Henry VIII.

"He may have had the speed of a train but unfortunately he also had its turning and crossing ability!"
Rob_of_the_Rovers on 606

"Donis scored a cracker against Everton, was hailed as a star, and that was about it.
Rich, via text on 81111

1611: Corner for Blackburn but David Bentley's radar is all over the place. Blame it on the wind.

1608: Larissa have been likened to Birmingham on 606 by 3Ghighburyforever. "They are poor financially and technically not up to Blackburn's standard. Though they won't get spanked, they won't batter Blackburn." The bad news is Rovers haven't beaten Birmingham away in their last three games.

1605: Some heat in the text inbox about Larissa boss Georgios Donis being a former Blackburn player. He must have been dead chuffed to pull Rovers out of the hat. He was the first Greek player to turn out in the English top flight and also represented Huddersfield and Sheffield United. Anyone see him play?

1602: Ibrahima Bakayoko, another player who had a spell in England, harries Andre Ooijer into conceding a corner but the hosts don't make the most of it. They're wearing an all cherry strip. Maybe blood red.

"Bakayoko? Didn't he play for Everton? I remember someone saying the front-of-yoko was a better player."
ewoodboy on 606

1600: A first effort on goal, but easy for Larissa keeper Stefanos Kotsolis as he holds David Bentley's inswinging free-kick.

1558: Referee Peter Sippel has counted up the 22 players and we have an early start.

1557: Overcast day in Greece, a bit of a breeze and a lumpy old pitch as Newcastle old boy and Larissa skipper Nikos Dabizas steps up for the toss. Their own ground isn't up to standard so they are playing at Panthessaliko.

1555: Talking about Chelsea (hard not to today), is this a first chance for Mark Hughes to show he deserves the top job at one of his old clubs? Let's be honest, Avram Grant, 2007's answer to Les Reed, ain't going to be there for long.

1554: TEAM NEWS Larissa v Blackburn
Rovers have made just one change, bringing in Andre Ooijer for Chistopher Samba, who took that blow to the head on the weekend at Chelsea. No joking, defender Samba wanted to play.

1552: Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has just been asked what he knows about Larissa. "They'll be a good side," is his shortish answer. Greek Cup winners, they have played just one league game this season, winning 1-0 away 18 days ago. 18 days! What have they been doing since then?

1550: It is harder to find information on some of these clubs than a one penny piece on the floor at your local branch of Northern Rock, so if you've got any golden nuggets of information don't be shy in sharing them via 606 or text on 81111.

1548: And you thought the departure of joking Jose was exciting.

1547: As well as Greek side Larissa, later in the evening Everton are taking on a team that sounds like some sort of splinter chemistry society, Metalist Kharkiv.

1546: Even an Italian porn channel has got involved in the mad scramble to get a bit of Uefa Cup action on the box. It paid �58,000 to screen the game between Fiorentina and Groningen. The channel's star Lollipop, a Fiorentina fan, has been involved in advertising for the show. Aberdeen against Dnipro is on BBC Scotland later. That advertising didn't involve a busty glamour model.

1545: Bet you had a bit of a shock this morning when you saw Blackburn were down to play a team with a girl's name in the Uefa Cup. What has this tournament come to?