[BlackNess]

"We're through to the next round"
In the wake of Hertha BSC's biggest win in Europe, coach Lucien Favre has little need to err on the side of caution as to the outcome of the tie.

"I enjoyed the match as much as the fans did. That will see us through to the next round", Favre said following the 8-1 (5-0) drubbing of Nistru Otaci in the UEFA Cup first qualifying round first leg encounter.

Professional approach

Stand-in captain Pal Dardai did issued a note of caution about the second leg in Moldova on 31 July, saying: "We need to retain our professionalism. We don't want to embarrass ourselves over there, and have to watch out that we don't get injured."

One-way traffic

A 12,373 crowd in the Jahnsportpark watched a one-sided contest unfold from the off. Lukasz Piszczek (34.,42.,80.), Marko Pantelic (15.,38.), Raffael (23.,71) and Marc Stein (68.) netted the goals that effectively sealed Hertha's progress into the second qualifying round. Andrei Tcaciuc bagged a consolation strike for last season's Moldovan runners-up.

"The team made it easy for themselves today", enthused Favre afterwards: "We've already said we see the UEFA Cup as a great challenge, and want to take it as far as we can in the competition."