Great Surprise: the supporters of Ipswich Town Football Club invaded the capital city yesterday. Not a hooligan in sight, just football fans sympathetic to the city and the amateur players of FC Avenir Beggen.

All English supporters are not from the same mould after all, and to judge by their behaviour very worthy ambassadors of the Suffolk club. Bedecked in Blue and White shirts and carrying flags in support of their team.

Except for the occasional blast of a trumpet and a few rousing songs the Ipswich fans gathered in the main square to enjoy the bank holiday sunshine, a few beers and a relaxed afternoon with the residents of Luxembourg before the match.

All was peaceful around the Municipal Stadium before and after the game too. The city police had cordoned off the area to traffic to allow an estimated 2,300 visiting fans to enter, and later exit, the stadium without the need to dodge traffic on the Rue D'Arlon.

Inside the Stade Josy-Barthel the English supporters occupied one side of the stadium, a beautiful site, but were kept quiet for most of the game as the Avenir amateurs resisted attack after attack from the professionals of Ipswich.

The opening stages of the game were courteous, but as the game progressed some aggressive play from the Avenir players could be seen.

With eight players behind the ball Avenir made it very difficult for the Ipswich strikers. Ipswich varied their game from that of the long ball to patient build up play but the final ball into the Avenir penalty area left a lot to be desired.

Darren Bent and Thomas Gaardsoe where both close with headers after 27 and 29 minutes, respectively, and Hartert in the Avenir goal was kept very busy.

The visiting fans were all on their feet in the 40th minute when Alun Armstrong was felled by a defender on the right hand edge of the penalty area, but the Bulgarian referee turned down appeals for a spot kick.

Shortly after Avenir broke through the Ipswich midfield, thanks to good play by Calvaruso and Hamdaoui, but the forward pass too Schmit was too strong and the ball harmlessly left the field of play for an Ipswich goal kick.

Matt Holland, hero of the Irish team at this summers World Cup, was introduced after the half-time interval.

The visitors immediately pressed and Hartert was forced to save with his legs a shot by Marcus Stewart, and made a fine save from a scorching long-range shot by Gaardsoe. Holland then played a short cross to Jamie Clapham who trapped the ball with his chest before shooting on the half-volley from twenty metres out. Just over the Avenir bar.

The home sides best chance of the game came with about 10 minutes to play. They broke down the left wing and the ball found Pace by the penalty spot but he was unable to control the ball quickly enough to shoot.

The referee's assistant signalled three minutes of injury time to be played and it looked as though Avenir would hold out for a hard earned draw, but immediately after Ipswich broke the deadlock.

A through ball from Jim Magilton found Marcus Stewart a metre or two inside the Avenir area, and brushing off the challenge of a defender he turned to fire the ball into the bottom left hand corner of Hartert's goal.