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By Clive Lindsay
1700: So Hibs suffer a miserable start to the season after the team from Bor�s, the city in the west of Sweden with a coat of arms that depicts two sheep-shearing scissors, cut them down to size. The Edinburgh side now travel to the Bor�s Arena for the second leg of their Intertoto Cup second-round tie more in hope than expectation.
It was hardly unexpected considering their opponents are in the middle of their season and Hibs are still in the midst of pre-season training. And veteran Elfsborg defender Teddy Lucic looks set to complete a winning double over Scottish opponents after having helped BK Hacken knock Dunfermline Athletic out of the Uefa Cup in August.
"It's been a wasted exercise for Hibs. It could be to the detriment of their confidence." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Allan Preston Join the debate on My Sport
"Hibs didn't play well and it could knock their confidence for the start of the season. I thought they had nothing to lose by playing in the Intertoto Cup but now I'm not so sure. I don't think it was worth it." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Craig Paterson Join the debate on My Sport
"No Scottish team has ever come back from losing the first leg at home to win on aggregate in a European tie. With Hibs conceding two away goals it would be nothing short of miraculous if they could do it next week." BBC Radio Scotland commentator Scott Davie Join the debate on My Sport
1653:FINAL WHISTLE Hibs have it all to do in Sweden next week and few of their fans will have seen signs that they can come back from this.
1651: Hibs will have to hope that another five days of pre-season training will help them to an unikely fightback on Saturday. A Denni Avdic drive goes close to ending hopes of even that, but his strike bounces clear off the post.
1645: Elfsborg substitute Stefan Ishizaki turns Paul Hanlon and forces Yves Ma-Kalambay into a blocked clearance on the line with a low drive from a tight angle. Fortunately for Hibs, they manage to clear.
"Its down to damage limitation now. Its already an uphill challenge next Saturday" Macker100 on My Sport Join the debate on My Sport
1640: Only about 7,000 have turned up at Easter Road and they haven't been excited by what they have seen. Elfsborg have certainly done their bit in silencing those who have preferred the Intertoto Cup to watching the men's singles final at Wimbledon. Both events appear to be drawing to a one-sided conclusion.
1633: Daniel Mobaeck ought to have made it 3-0 with an almost identical volleyed miss to the one he had in the first half.
"Hibs are standing off Elfsborg and allowing the Swedes to completely dictate the play." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Craig Paterson Join the debate on My Sport
1630: Colin Nish replaces winger Filipe Morais as Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen goes for two up front in an attempt to bring his side back into the game.
"It's important that Hibs don't concede any more. They need a goal now!" iwz678 on My Sport Join the debate on My Sport
1623:GOALHibs 0-2 Elfsborg Hibs waste the corner when Dean Shiels slips and Elfsborg make them pay by rushing up the other end and extending their lead. Andreas Augustsson's shot from the edge of the box evades Yves Ma-Kalambay and Hibs are all but down and out. There might be a few flights to Sweden being cancelled.
1622: Just when it looked like Hibs were looking leg weary, Steven Fletcher sends a half-volley towards goal from the edge of the box and Johan Wiland turns it wide for a corner.
1617: The ball is cleared off the Hibs line from a corner and Teddy Lucic sends the rebound wide. Another let off.
1614: Ross Chisholm comes on to replace the ineffectual Brian Kerr and lets fly with his first touch from 25 yards. The Elfsborg goalkeeper holds easily, but at least the young midfielder gave him something to think about.
1612: Just when I was falling into the cliched trap of criticising Hibs goalkeepers, Yves Ma-Kalambay produces a fine stop at the feet of Emir Bajrami, who tore through the heart of a Hibs defence looking even more shaky without Rob Jones.
1610: A last-ditch challenge by Paul Hanlon prevents the Swedes virtually killing the tie. Yves Ma-Kalambay flaps at the corner - no change there then for the new season - but, in fairness to the goalkeeper, he was being fouled.
"There are a few clubs interested in Fletcher. Portsmouth are rumoured to be going to offer �4m for him." Macker100 on My Sport Join the debate on My Sport
1604: The second half gets underway with Elfsborg once more comfortable in possession.
"My team (Middlesbrough) must be looking at someone from Hibs or Elfsborg because Gordon McQueen, who is now a scout at Boro, is being interviewed on Radio Scotland. Steven Fletcher maybe?" iwz678 on My Sport Join the debate on My Sport
That seems unlikely as Gordon has just suggested that Fletcher is not quite ready for England's top flight. Maybe Real Madrid, who were reportedly watching the newly-capped Scotland striker, would be an easier option!
"It's going to be tough for Hibs in the second half. I have a feeling Yves Ma-Kalambay is going to be the busier of the two goalkeepers." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Craig Paterson Join the debate on My Sport
"Hibs look too tired to hit Elfsborg with the traditional blood and snotters Scottish game." BBC Radio Scotland commentator Scott Davie Join the debate on My Sport
1600: Rob Jones is being replaced with Martin Canning at half-time. It appears that the Hibs captain has been struggling with an injury.
Hibs could be doing with Moroccan pair Merouane Zemmama and Abdessalam Benjelloun, both of whom are sitting this one out. The creativity of Zemmama, still recovering from a broken bone in his foot, would be a welcome addition to midfield, while Benjelloun, given a break after his recent international commitments, would add some variety up front.
"Andreas Svensson has been pulling the strings in the middle of the park for Elfsborg. Hibs need to stop him playing in the second half." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Allan Preston Join the debate on My Sport
"Hibs look too tired to hit Elfsborg with the traditional blood and snotters Scottish game." BBC Radio Scotland commentator Scott Davie Join the debate on My Sport
1546:Half-time - Hibs 0-1 Elfsborg Hibs have competed reasonably well considering this is their first match of the season. But they need to get something back after the break if they are to give themselves a chance of winning the tie in Sweden.
1540: Dean Shiels weaves his way towards the edge of the Elfsborg penalty box and unleashes a drive, but Johan Wiland makes it look easy.
"I think it's going to be about keeping themselves in the tie for Hibs now. Why didn't they play a friendly before this match?" iwz678 on My Sport Join the debate on My Sport
Very true. It might have been too early for most British teams to provide opposition, but are a few leagues out there - Sweden included - that play during the summer.
"Should have been 2-0 for Elfsborg. Daniel Mobaeck had time to take it down, go for a pie and a Bovril there, but he went for the spectacular and skewed it wildly over." BBC Radio Scotland commentator Scott Davie Join the debate on My Sport
1530: Daniel Mobaek should have put Elfsborg futher ahead there. But he failed to connect properly with a volley after being picked out at the back post. Lucky break for Hibs, who definitely look short of match practice compared to their Swedish opponents.
1525: Filipe Morais sends in a low drive that is well blocked by the legs of Elfsborg goalkeeper Johan Wiland. Wiland was carted to hospital on Saturday after colliding head first with a post during training, but Sweden's third-choice is showing no ill-effects. Maybe Hibs just need to test him more.
1523: "The Hibs players look tired and deflated after that goal...and that's after only 20 minutes." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Allan Preston Join the debate on My Sport
1518: GOALHibs 0-1 Elfsborg. Disaster for Hibs. Anders Svensson sets up Emir Bajrami to slide home the opening goal. The small group of about 20 Elfsborg fans celebrate at Easter Road.
1515: "Looks quite tough with Elfsborg into their season and Hibs not having played a match at all yet. But hopefully a win for the Hibees." arangerforme on My Sport Join the debate on My Sport
1511: Hibs create their first chance, with Steven Fletcher heading over. The striker has been linked with Real Madrid and, most recently, with Portsmouth and will hope to do better than that to impress any suitors.
1509: "Hibs are wearing one to 11 on the back of their strips, which is completely confusing for us since we were given the European squad numbers." BBC Radio Scotland commentator Scott Davie. Join the debate on My Sport
1504: Daniel Mobaeck has the first chance for Elfsborg, but Ma-Kalambay makes the save at his feet.
1500: Kick-off and it all looks rather unfamiliar with Hibs in their yellow away strip, with Elsborg also playing in their away colours - red and black.
1455: Elfsborg reached the second round with a 4-1 aggregate win over HB Torshavn of the Faroe Islands.
They could only manage a 0-0 draw in the second leg at home, but don't let that fool you as they fielded a weakened team.
The Swedish season has resumed again after a break for Euro 2008, with Elfsborg in fine form, sitting second and having beaten Djurgarden away from home on Wednesday.
Talking of Euro 2008, Elfsborg's Johan Wiland was third choice goalkeeper in for Sweden, while former Southampton midfielder Anders Svensson was also part of the squad.
The British connections don't stop there.
Veteran defender Teddy Lucic had a spell with Leeds United, midfielder Helgi Dan�elsson was with Peterborough United and striker James Keene was with Portsmouth and was on loan to Kidderminster, Bournemouth and Boston United.
No surprises in the Hibs team, with former St Mirren right-back David van Zanten making his debut for Hibs, while Yves Ma-Kalambay is preferred to Andy McNeil in goal.
Elfsborg goalkeeper Johan Wiland was taken to hospital with a head knock after training on Saturday but has recovered to start.
Midfielder Stefan Ishizaki, who missed training with a cold, is also passed fit enough to sit on the bench.
The season starts here! Welcome to our live text commentary of Hibernian's Intertoto Cup clash with Swedish dark horses Elfsborg. The winners go through to the next round with the ultimate prize after that a place in the first round proper of the Uefa Cup. After Rangers heroics in the Uefa Cup last season, can Hibs follow in their footsteps and fly the flag for Scotland in Europe? Wherever you are let us know all your rants and raves as the action unfolds.
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