The artificial pitch which had so worried Stoke boss Tony Pulis proved no obstacle as the Potters took a 1-0 first leg lead over ten-man FC Thun in Switzerland. The Swiss keeper David de Silva was dismissed in the last minute for violent conduct towards Jon Walters but Stoke were worthy winners by this stage.
The all important goal for the Potters, enjoying their first venture into Europe for some time, came on 19 minutes when Danny Pugh fired home from the edge of the penalty area.
Thun had a couple of chances but overall this was a fine victory for Stoke who will go into the second leg full of confidence to progress.
Referee: Daniel Stalhammar (SWE)
Venue: Arena Thun Attendance: 7,850
FC Thun scorers: Stoke scorers: Pugh 19
FC THUN 01 Da Costa (red card) 14 Schindelholz 24 Matic 26 Reinmann 06 Battig (yellow card) 07 Andrist 08 Demiri (Sanogo 71) 20 Schneuwly (Wittwer 70) 33 Luthi 16 Lustrinelli (Rama 79) 21 Lezcano
Substitutes 35 Djukic, 23 Schneider, 27 Schirinzi, 28 Wittwer, 13 Sanogo, 17 Hediger, 09 Rama
STOKE 29 Sorensen (Wilkinson 50) 04 Huth (yellow card) 17 Shawcross 20 Upson 12 Wilson 14 Pugh 18 Whitehead 23 Tonge (yellow card) 26 Etherington (yellow card) (Arismendi 74) 09 Jones (Whelan 66) 19 Walters (Yellow card)
Substitutes 27 Nash, 05 Collins, 28 Wilkinson, 30 Shotton, 06 Whelan, 32 Arismendi
