Bayern build up ominous advantage

Bayern Munich took a huge step toward the lucrative group stages of the Champions' League last night by trouncing Partizan Belgrade 3-0 last night in their third qualifying round, first-leg match in Yugoslavia.

Michael Tarnat opened the score for Bayern in the 22nd minute when he picked up the ball on the left edge of the penalty zone and fired a shot into the opposite side of Partizan's net.

Jens Jeremies made it 2-0 in the 71st minute with a header from 10 metres after a long curving cross by Mehmet Scholl. Claudio Pizzaro netted Bayern's third in the 78th minute from point-blank range, exploiting a perfect pass by Michael Ballack.

The young Partizan team, supported by some 30,000 fans at the packed Yugoslav Peoples' Army stadium, controlled the play for most of the match. However, the more experienced German side were much more dangerous on counter-attacks.

Partizan's best opportunity came in the 24th minute as Zvonimir Vukic pounced on an error by the Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, but failed to push the ball into an empty net from close range.

Bayern fielded their expensive summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen, Michael Ballack. But aside from setting up Bayern's third goal, the talented midfielder – who was named as Germany's player of the year earlier this week – failed to shine. The return match will be played next week in Munich.

In Russia, Timmy Simons scored a late penalty to earn Bruges a valuable first-leg draw away to Shakhtar Donetsk last night.

The Belgians had fallen behind to Shakhtar in the 49th minute when the Nigerian World Cup striker Julius Aghahowa scored. Shakhtar looked to have held off a Bruges onslaught, but conceded a penalty in the 88th minute after Andres Mendoza was held back by Mikhailo Starostiak. Simons stepped up to drive the ball home.

In Bulgaria, Florin Cernat scored the only goal as Dynamo Kiev beat Levski Sofia 1-0, leaving the Ukrainians firm favourites to advance after the second leg.

In Norway, a Harald Brattbakk goal was enough to give Rosenbrog Trondheim a narrow first-leg victory over Brondby of Denmark.