Levski Sofia, Sporting Lisbon win in Europa League

(GSM) – Levski Sofia and Sporting Lisbon got their UEFA Europa League campaigns under way on a positive note with wins over Gent and Lille respectively.

Things started well for Belgian side Gent at Bulgarian outfit Levski, as Randall Azofeifa netted the opener after 24 minutes. His goal was canceled out by Joaozinho in the 43rd but Marko Suler restored Gent’s advantage four minutes after the break.

But Levski would not give up that easily as Frenchman Garra Dembele leveled on the hour and former Feyenoord player Serginho Greene got a winner with six minutes left in the Bulgarian capital.

Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon needed just 11 minutes for Simon Vukcevic to score the opening goal, and Helder Postiga doubled that advantage in the 34th minute.

Pierre Alain Frau pulled one back for Lille in the 57th minute but it was not enough for the French hosts to avoid a defeat, 1-2.