Paatelainen saw his side brushed aside at Easter Road

Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen refused to be too downhearted after Intertoto Cup defeat at home to Elfsborg.

"It was disappointing the way we lost but they are in full swing and we are still preparing for the season," he told BBC Sport after the 2-0 loss.

"We were slack at the back for the goals we conceded but we will learn from this and improve.

"We can gain a lot from this. We wanted competitive fixtures straight away and we get vital European experience."

The visitors from Sweden controlled much of the game and were comfortable winners at Easter Road.

"They passed the ball well and kept possession," admitted Paatelainen. "But, when you play your first game in the pre-season, you are a little bit rusty and you can run out of steam.

"We are not ready to play our best football yet. We are preparing for the SPL season on 9 August.

"But there are plenty of positives. Now we have one game under our belt and another week of training to come before the second leg.

"Next week the boys will be better off, we will be a little bit fitter and little wiser.

"It will be very difficult but we can score two goals, no problem."

Elfsborg coach Magnus Haglund also refused to concede the tie was over.

"We will need to work hard for another 90 minutes," he warned.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to Hibs' Intertoto Cup defeat

"It was a close first half but in the second half we were the better team and deserved our victory.

"Hibs played with good energy in the first half but they tired as the game went on."

Experienced Swedish international Anders Svensson was influential for the visitors, who wasted good chances to run up an embarrassing score against flagging opponents.

"It was a tough game but we were efficient and we got the first goal, which is always important in these ties," said the midfielder.

"Hibs had a few half chances but we controlled the second half and could have scored one or two more."

Hibs skipper Rob Jones suffered an ankle injury during the first half but Paatelainen said it was "nothing too severe" and expects the defender to be fit for Saturday's second leg in Sweden.