BBC SPORT | UEFA CUP | Sereni keeps Ipswich in touch

Ipswich 0-0 Helsingborg

Ipswich's proud home record in European football rested safely in the hands of goalkeeper Matteo Sereni as George Burley's side hung on against Helsingborg.

Ipswich had not lost in 26 European games at Portman Road coming into this second round tie, but it was only the brilliance of their record signing that extended the run to 27.

The �4.5m signing from Sampdoria made a string of outstanding stops to maintain parity and give Ipswich hope for the second leg in a fortnight's time.

Match facts

7 mins: George flicks a close-range shot against the bar

24 mins: Sereni saves superby to deny Alvaro

51 mins: Hansson screws a shot across the face of the Ipswich goal

59 mins: The lively Christoffer Andersson is stretchered off

The result was more pleasing than the performance for manager George Burley, who had hoped to give the Portman Road fans more to shout about on the night the club officially opened their South Stand.

Uefa president Lennart Johansson did the official honours, then took a grandstand seat to see his fellow Swedes dominate this first-leg tie.

Ipswich at least made a lively start, Finidi George twice going close in the opening minutes.

The pacy Nigerian saw an early volley fly harmlessly over the crossbar and then hit the woodwork with a close-range touch following Hermann Hreidarsson's deflected shot.

But the early chances were hardly a sign of things to come.

Instead, it was Sereni who emerged as Ipswich's most influential player.

Finidi George and Bakkerrud

Finidi George had two early opportunities

The Italian stopper was twice called into action as the Swedes emerged as a force in the tie midway through the first half.

Brazilian striker Alvarro was a constant threat and forced Sereni into a fine save on 24 minutes.

Another excellent reaction save also denied Pica after the striker was allowed a clear run by a sleepy Ipswich defence that stood appealing for offside.

That let-off should have served as a wake-up call for Ipswich, but the alarm bells failed to ring.

The Swedes continued to dictate the pace of the game after the break and only poor finishing and more fine goalkeeping maintained Ipswich's proud European record.

We were grateful to our goalkeeper - he made some quality saves

George Burley
Ipswich manager

Sereni did well to keep out Alvaro's shot at his near post then, a minute later, Hansson fired across the face of goal when scoring looked easier.

Ipswich had their moments, but their openings usually came from desperate long balls pumped in towards Marcus Stewart and substitute Pablo Counago.

Stewart's frustration showed when he attempted to get on the end of Mark Venus' free kick, only to get in the way of the inrushing John McGreal.

Ultimately, Burley would have been happy not to have conceded an away goal and hold on for a home draw, a position from which they progressed against Torpedo Moscow in the first round.

A superb 2-1 win in the Russian capital rescued Ipswich that time, but a similar salvage job in Sweden will be a tall order on this evidence.

Ipswich: Sereni, Wilnis, McGreal, Hreidarsson, Venus, Holland, Magilton, Wright, George, Reuser, Stewart. Subs: Branagan, Clapham, Makin, Counago, Naylor, Abidallah, Gaardsoe.

Helsingborg: Sven Andersson, Gustavsson, Matovac, Nilsson, Jesper Jansson, Christoffer Andersson, Eklund, Bakkerud, Hansson, Prica, Dos Santos. Subs: Larsson, Johansen, Ulrik Jansson, Silva, Lindstrom, Pelu, Lindberg.

Referee: W Sowa (Austria)


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