Goals from newly signed international stars Roberto Hilbert and Ricordo Quaresma fired Beşiktaş to a 2-0 victory over the HJK Helsinki of Finland in the first leg of the Europa League Play-off round played at Istanbul BJK Inonu Stadium Tuesday night.

The Eagles exerted pressure right from the kick-off and could’ve been easily ahead after 4 minutes, if Bobo’s hard drive didn’t hit the post and went in. The Finish outfit managed to weather the storm until the 35th minute mark when Roberto Hilbert beat the Helsinki’s keeper Wallen from close-range to put Beşiktaş in front and announce the score for the first half.  
The second half mirrored the first with the Black and Whites having full control of the game. After Bobo failed to capitalize on another golden opportunity, “the man of the match” Quaresma stepped in and unleashed a bullet from outside the box to seal the win for his team on 65 minutes and give Beşiktaş a valuable two-goal advantage for next week’s return match. The second leg is going to take place in Helsinki on Thursday, August 26. The qualifier from this play-off round will get into the Europa League’s groups stage.