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With the continued coverage of everything Brazil and South America whilst the summer was on it filled a hole here at Euroballs. Now we're back underway in Europe the team here got the feeling that the South American updates were distracting from the main purpose and coverage of the major European leagues so we've done something about it and set up a new site.

For all your Campeonato Brasileiro Serié A updates, plus the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana updates then please visit the new site at CONMEBalls where we continue from where we left off on here.

On there shortly, a look back at the catch up games in Brazil and a review of this weeks action in the Copa Nissan Sudamericana.

Copa Sudamericana Preliminary Round 1st Legs Part Two

Alianza Atlético Sullana 0-0 Deportivo Anzoátegui
Liga de Quito 1-0 Libertad Asunción
Blooming Santa Cruz 0-1 River Plate Montevideo
Cerro Porteño 2-0 La Paz FC
Fluminense 0-0 Flamengo
Vitória 2-0 Coritiba
Liverpool FC Montevideo 0-0 Cienciano Cusco

Missed this one last week but Alianza Atlético Sullana of Peru and Deportivo Anzoátegui of Venezuela drew 0-0 in their first leg tie. The second leg takes place on September 16. In Quito, last years Libertadores winners, Liga de Quito, overcame Libertad Asuncnión by a single goal from Neicer Reasco right on half time. Paraguay's Cerro Porteño grabbed a two goal advantage to take back to the altitude of La Paz. Roberto Nanni put the home side ahead after 21 minutes and Jorge Brítex doubled the advantage halfway through the second half. Nothing to write home about in the big clash of the round in Rio de Janeiro as the "Fla-Flu" finished 0-0 at the Maracaña. Flu were the home side for this game and now have a slight advantage for the second leg in two weeks time.

Things went to form as Vitória claimed a 2-0 victory over Coritiba. Ueilliton opened the scoring with a free kick in the 46th minute and a indivudual effort from Jackson 14 minutes from time wrapped things up. In Montevideo, Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by 2003 winners Ceinciano Cusco of Peru. Liverpool dominated their opponents, but like their English namesake, couldn't put the tie to bed. They hit the woodwork twice and missed an open goal in injury time, this after Ceinciano had been reduced to 10 men.

The fun and games came in Santa Cruz where referee Victor Hugo Carillo had to suspend the game between Blooming and River Plate Montevideo due to secutiry issues after 65 minutes after a home supporter had run onto the pitch and attacked River's Henry Giminez. Federico Puppo had put River Plate ahead in the 61st minute, after taking full advantage of an error from Blooming goalkeeper Andres Jemio. After the decision to suspend the match a hail of objects and flare were thrown from the stands, which some of River's technical staff were hit by. After the game, local police announced the individual who entered the pitch had been arrested and was also found to be carrying a knife. It is not known yet what action CONMEBOL will take. The likelyhood is that Blooming will be thrown out and River Plate given passage into Round 2. The second leg is scheduled for August 27 at the Centenario in Montevideo.

More ties takes place next week. Update should appear next Friday.

Copa Sudamericana Preliminary Round 1st Legs Part 1

Universidad de Chile 2-1 Deportivo Cali
Zamora FC 0-1 Emelec Guayaquil
La Equidad Bogotá 2-2 Unión Española

The Copa Nissan Sudamericana got underway this week with the First Round games spread out over the next 6 weeks. Some ties are not scheduled to be completed until the 17th September.

Santiagó was the destination for the first tie in this years competition as Universidad de Chile entertained Deportivo Cali and it was the visitors who went ahead after Sergio Herrera scored just after half time. Juan Manuel Olivera equalised on the hour and then edged Universidad ahead from the spot seven minutes later to give them a slight advantage for the second leg in Colombia. Ecuador's Emelec Guayaquil picked up a 1-0 away win at Venezuela's Zamora, it looked like the tie would finish scoreless before Franco Mendoza scored in injury time to give the visitors a win and a very controversial away goal. Unión Española got off to a superb start at La Equidad when Gustavo Canales put them ahead with just 4 minutes on the clock. Ariel Carreño levelled for La Equidad before an own goal from Sebastian Miranda looked to have given the home side victory. Unión Española didn't give up and a second from Canales deep into injury time after a smart turn and finish levelled things for the second leg.

Copa Sudamericana First Round Draw

The draw has been made at CONMEBOL headquarters in Asunción for the first round of the 2009 Copa Nissan Sudamericana. 30 teams enter at this stage with 9 clubs from Brazil, 6 from Argentina and two from the rest of the Confederations in the region. This is also the last year that Boca Juniors and River Plate will enter the competition as invitees. As of next year they will have to qualify as of right. The holders, Interncional of Brazil have been given a bye in this round and will enter at the last 16 stage. Some qualifiers have also to be decided, these will be sorted before the competition starts on August 5th.

Atlético Mineiro (BRA) v Goiás (BRA)
La Equidad (COL) v Unión Española (CHI)
Vitória (BRA) v Coritiba (BRA)
Chile 2 v Deportivo Cali (COL)
Fluminense (BRA) v Flamengo (BRA)
Uruguay 2 v Cienciano (PER)
River Plate (ARG) v Lanús (ARG)
Zamora (VEN) v Ecuador 1
Atlético Paranaense (BRA) v Botafogo (BRA)
Ecuador 2 v Club Libertad (PAR)
Tigre (ARG) v San Lorenzo (ARG)
Alianza Atlético (PER) v Deportivo Anzoátegui (VEN)
Blooming (BOL) v Uruguay 1
Boca Juniors (ARG) v Vélez Sársfield (ARG)
Cerro Porteño (PAR) v La Paz (BOL)

As holders, Internacional qualify for the last 16 as of right

The rules of the competition mean that the Brazilian and Argentinian clubs are drawn together in the first round. This has created the stand out tie of the round as Flamengo and Fluminense have been paired together and a big crowd will be expected for both games. Boca won't have their own way with Vélez Sársfield and neither will River against Lanús.

We'll be following the competition through to it's conclusion in December.