Serie A clubs involved in the UEFA Cup on Thursday fared better than their compatriots in the Champions League earlier on this week, with both Parma and Livorno booking their places in the group stage with 1-0 wins over Ruben and Pasching respectively.

Palermo also had a fantastic win, beating West Ham 3-0 in Sicily to cruise through to the next phase.

Parma bounced back from their 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Roma at the weekend with an albeit shaky performance to dismiss Ruben 2-0 on aggregate.

Daniele Paponi - playing as a lone striker in the absence through injury of Domenico Morfeo and Andrea Gasbarroni - proved to be the match winner, firmly planting a header home on 49 minutes at the Stadio Tardini.

The Russians had their own opportunities to open the scoring, but the hosts' goal seemed to lead a charmed life during the first half.

Parma came out for the second period a different team, taking control of the game and deserving to go through into the group stage.

Livorno went into their game in Austria in a similar situation to Parma, and the result turned out to be just as satisfying.

Bakayoko - only in the side because of injury to Cristiano Lucarelli - turned out to be the match winner, slotting home on 55 minutes to see the Granata through and end Pasching's dream.

It was not all good news for Italian sides though, as Chievo were dumped out by Braga in a game that went to extra time.

After Braga's 2-0 win two weeks ago, the Flying Donkeys clawed their way back into tie, Simone Tiribochi getting his second in as many games and Denis Godeas doubling the Italians lead on the night with just over twenty minutes remaining.

Locked at two apiece on aggregate, the game went into extra time, and tired legs proved decisive when Brazilian Wender rose to head past a fatigued Vincenzo Sicignano in the 104th minute to send the Portuguese through.

(Eurosport)