Newcastle and Marseille scraped into the Uefa Cup knockout round on Thursday but did little to raise the profile of a tournament slumbering in the shadows of the Champions League.
Newcastle drew 0-0 with Latvian minnows Ventspils but went through having won the first leg of the second preliminary round tie 1-0.
The Magpies, who paraded new £10-million signing Obafemi Martins on the pitch before kick-off at St James’s Park, dominated from start to finish, but were denied by goalkeeper Andris Vanins.
Vanins saved from Emre, James Milner — who also hit the bar with a free-kick — and Charles N’Zogbia, while Scott Parker, Damien Duff and Titus Bramble all went close.
”The most important thing is we’re through,” said Duff.
”It’s where you want to be. Hopefully this year will be a long run in the Uefa Cup.”
Marseille also failed to find the net against Young Boys but progressed courtesy of a 3-3 draw in Switzerland two weeks ago.
The Swiss could have stolen the tie at the death when Marcos saw a header come off the bar.
”I am very proud of my team,” said Marseille coach Albert Emon.
”What was important was qualification. We achieved that. I would have been disappointed if we were eliminated.” — Sapa-AFP