We're All Going On A European Tour

Fifty years since the last European game at St. Andrews, Birmingham City last night proceeded to the group stages of the Europa League in style, beating Portuguese outfit C.D. Nacional 3-0, in front of a packed out St. Andrews.

Nacional began the game much like the first leg of the tie, showing their stylish passing ability, but it was Blues who went ahead in the fifteenth minute courtesy of teenager Nathan Redmond. Picking up the ball, Redmond skipped through the Nacional defence before shooting from distance, and looked on as his unstoppable shot flew straight into the bottom corner to send the Bluenoses in the stands crazy as their team drew first blood in the two legged tie.

If the first goal didn’t rock Nacional, the second certainly put the tie out of reach after just 25 minutes. It was Redmond again who provided, shooting from distance again to win a corner which was subsequently taken by Jean Beausejour and headed home by David Murphy to put the Blues 2-0 up.

And the most impressive first half display by Blues for a long time wasn’t over yet. Front pair Chris Wood and Adam Rooney both had chances to put their side even further ahead, but the intervention of first Alberto and then goalkeeper Elisson saved Nacional’s blushes.

As the second half got underway, the Nacional keeper was called upon again when Rooney was through on goal, but Elisson was able to save the shot with his legs. In not-so-true Blues nature, the best opportunities were being created by the home side, and they were unlucky not to add to their tally for the night on several occasions. Rooney had a wonderful chance to do so when he found himself one on one with Elisson; with Wood to his left, he chose to go alone and was denied once again by the frame of the Nacional keeper, and the tie remained at 2-0.

After frustrating the Nacional team all night, man of the match Redmond showed his class throughout the game at just 17 years of age, and almost scored again after a brilliant cross into the box agonizingly hit the inside of the post. But it was soon 3-0 to Blues after a delightful move which saw Wood finally get the goal he deserved: Blues broke after Nacional went on an unfruitful attack, with Carr feeding the ball into the path of the on-loan West Brom striker who made no mistake of putting his side three goals to the good, opening his Birmingham City account in a more than enjoyable night at St. Andrews.

Not only was the score-line brilliant but the performance was exceptional also. The stand out performers for me were the three goal scorers: Nathan Redmond, who has the crowed behind him all the way as the wove through the Nacional defence all night long; David Murphy who didn’t put a foot wrong all night and even chipped in with a rare goal; and Chris Wood who has deserved a goal since he came here which he finally got tonight, hopefully we can extend his loan until the end of the season – at 19 he too has a big future ahead of him. The whole team, in fact, deserves praise for giving the fans not only a win, but showing them a style of play that has been unfamiliar to the Birmingham City faithful in recent years. Manager Chris Hughton also warrants applause, and the packed out St. Andrews crowed last night showed him just that; singing his name all night long.


The draw for the Europa League group stages, as you all know, took place this afternoon. After a lengthy procedure and more than enough 'special guests', Blues were placed in Group H along with Braga of Portugal, Club Brugge of Belgium and FC Maribor of Slovenia. The European Tour starts here!

Stalemate In Madeira

Fifty years is a long time to wait for European football, but Birmingham City began their much awaited European campaign tonight at the Estadio da Madeira against C.D Nacional, in the first leg of the play off to gain entry to the group stages of the Europa League.

Chris Hughton lined his side up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Liam Ridgewell playing just in front of the back four and Chris Wood starting as the lone striker as he did at the weekend against Coventry.

Admittedly not knowing too much about the Maderia outfit, I was not too sure how much of a threat Nacional would pose and although the early chances were had by the home side Boaz Myhill wasn't tested too extensively, saying that, they would have had a great chances early on were it not for a brilliantly well timed tackle by Curtis Davies, preventing the on-coming danger in the form of Mateus, who was through on goal were it not for the defender's intervention.

The hundreds of dedicated Blues fans who made the journey to Maderia didn't stop singing all night, and almost had something to cheer about early on when Davies - who had a fantastic game - uncharacteristically broke with the ball. With Chris Wood waiting eagerly in the middle, Davies decided to go it alone and saw his shot tipped behind. Steven Caldwell connected with the resulting corner, taken by Jean Beausejour, and saw his header rattle against the inside of the post.

Nacional were on the back foot, and as the game neared half time Blues had the best chance of the game yet, when Chris Wood agonisingly hit the bar from inside the area: Beausejour's freekick sailed into the box and, with the Nacional keeper under pressure from Davies, he flapped at the ball leaving it free for Wood to pounce on who hit the woodwork.

With Nacional making two half time changes - both met by a loud 'WHOOOO?' from the travelling Blues - the visiting side were sent out for the second forty-five with an unchanged side; manager Hughton clearly impressed with what he had seen so far: and he had every right to be. Early on in the second half Wood again came close for Blues; first Nathan Redmond's shot was well saved by the Nacional keeper and, as the save found its way to Chris Burke, he managed to find team mate Wood who saw his header hit the woodwork again! All three involved in the move put in a brilliant shift for their side tonight.

Playing with more urgency in the second forty-five, Chris Hughton's charges appeared comfortable on and off the ball, with Myhill hardly being troubled all game having only a few long distance shots and the odd corner to worry him. Curtis Davies again showed why he is a more than worthy replacement for Roger Johnson with another strong and well timed challenge to prevent a promising Nacional attack.

As the mist descended on the mountain top stadium as the clock struck the hour mark, both sides had periods in which they dominated, but Blues were the side with the major chances, and the side who should have been in front. Winger Burke had a promising run and an impressive shot which looked to have caught the uncertain Nacional keeper off guard, however his shot flew just past the far post.

Blues looked happy with the 0-0 draw and comfortably saw the game out. The same could be said for the travelling Blues fans, who ended the game singing "don't wanna go home, this is the best trip I've ever been on." Surely it is advantage Birmingham City for the second leg, and the group stages look like a real possibility now.


Full Time: C.D Nacional 0-0 BLUES
Goal Scorers: None
Star Man: Curtis Davies - Roger Johnson who?
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