Bundesliga clubs Hamburg and Bremenon Thursday swept English Premier club Manchester City and Italian Udinese 3-1 at home respectively in the first leg of UEFA Cup quarterfinals, putting them in stronger position to make last four.
Hamburg battled back after conceding a first-minute goal to earn the victory over City.
Martin Jol's impressive side, second in the Bundesliga, created a hatful of chances and were unfortunate not to win the game by a wider margin.
Hamburg's hopes of keeping a clean sheet at home were dashed within 36 seconds into the game as City's Brazilian star Robinho found space down the right and crossed for midfielder Stephen Ireland to plant the ball past home keeper Frank Rost.
Hamburg quickly drew level eight minutes later through Joris Mathijsen, who powered in a header from a corner, before taking the lead in the 63rd minute when Piotr Trochowksi scored from a penalty.
With 11 minutes left Trochowski, outstanding this season, provided substitute Paolo Guerrero with a low cross for the Peruvian to slam in and give Hamburg a two-goal advantage ahead of next Thursday's second leg.
In another game in Bremen, a brace from playmaker Diego earned Bremen a deserved 3-1 victory over Udinese.
The Brazilian international midfielder scored in the 34th and 67th minutes, with Hugo Almeida adding a third in the 69th.
(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2009)
