Spartak Moscow, playing their first game with Danish soccer legend Michael Laudrup as manager, won 1-0 away to the Czech side FC Banik Ostrava, a 55th minute own goal by Rene Bolf giving the Muscovites a welcome victory following recent troubles in the domestic league.
"We managed to take the initiative in the second half and create a lot of chances," said Laudrup after the match, adding that Spartak would play for the win in the return game.
Ex-Spartak Moscow striker Roman Pavlyuchenko was cup-tied for his new side Tottenham's 2-1 win over Poles Wisla Krakow. Spartak and Tottenham could meet in the next stage of the tournament if both teams qualify for the group stages.
CSKA came back from a goal behind against Croatian minnows NK Slaven Koprivnica to earn a 2-1 win courtesy of two late Vagner Love goals. Love's compatriot and ex-CSKA player, Jo, also scored twice to give his new club Manchester City a 2-1 victory against the Cypriots AC Omonia.
FC Moskva, playing in the Russian capital, went behind to a first half penalty in their match against the Danes FC Kobenhavn. A last minute equalizer by Aleksandr Samedov looked to have saved the match for Oleg Blokhin's men, but the Danes struck back in injury time, a header from substitute Libor Sionko earning the visitors a surprise win.
The second legs are in two weeks time.
