NANCY/BLACKBURN, Nov 2 (SW) - Nancy made a fine return to Europe in the UEFA Cup on Thursday with a hard-fought win over Wisla Krakow while Blackburn Rovers' late barrage sent them storming past Basel.

Nancy - Wisla Krakow 2-1
Sitting a surprising third in the Ligue 1 table, Nancy - making their first European appearance in 28 years - looked to show they were no fluke and needed just 11 minutes to go in front as Pascal Berenguer tucked home a Michael Chretien cross for the opener.

The Poles, though, decided to try to play the role of party crashers as they equalized just past the half-hour mark when Pawel Brozek struck from just outside the area.

But Nancy held firm and re-asserted themselves after the break, grabbing the lead back in the 58th minute when Berenguer again converted a ball from Chretien, this time on a corner kick, to give the French side a lead they would not relinquish.

Blackburn Rovers - Basel 3-0
A rampant Blackburn Rovers side came out all guns blazing at Ewood Park on Thursday as they used every weapon available to them to pelt the Basel goal with efforts.

However, those efforts appeared like they would all be for naught after 75 minutes of scoreless football frustrated them.

But Tugay Kerimoglu finally was able to break the deadlock with a quarter-hour to play as he blasted a drive from over 20 yards out into the net, much to the relief of the fans in attendance.

Francis Jeffers then extended the lead in the 89th minute from the penalty spot after Reto Zanni took down Morten Gamst Pedersen, and Benni McCarthy added a third late on to seal the match.