Levski entertained Sant Julia at Gerena stadium in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the Champions League on July 15 2009 in a match that most Levski supporters would rather forget.

At first glance, the score would suggest a blinding performance from the hosts and the visitors from Andorra getting a good hiding on the pitch, but it was not quite like that. Not when you consider all factors in the equation.

In one corner, you have Bulgaria's champion, a professional football team, with pride and heritage - and in the other, Sant Julia, a team with semi-professional status with most of its players having regular jobs outside the world of football.

The first half was particularly hard to watch for the Blue faithful as deja-vu feelings of impotence and BATE Borisov returned. Levski were inept, lacked drive, determination, focus, passion, they lacked just about everything that was necessary for a game of this stature – a game that holds the key to participation in the lucrative Champions League.

It was perhaps only natural that the Levski hardcore supporters unleashed a salvo of verbal abuse at half-time, chanting "ostavka" (resignation) to everyone and no one in particular.

The second half was different. Perhaps Emil Velev had harsh words for his troops in the dressing room at half-time.

The embarrassing spell of 13 matches in European competitions without a win was finally broken, with a 49th minute Darko Tasevski goal, followed by a brace from Georgi Hristov, making it 3-0. Levski then went on to miss about half a dozen more opportunities, before Vladimir Gardjev wrapped up the final score at 4-0. The last time the Blues registered a vicotry in Europe was the 2-0 win against Chievo in August 2006.  

The visitors got away with two red cards, as both Diego Abdian and Alejandro Romero were sent off. The second leg of the tie in Andorra is next week, and Levski are certain to go through. It was a comfortable win, but one that came on the back of a very unpleasant, unconvincing and outright dodgy performance, that will certainly raise a lot of questions amont Levski supporters.