Hamburg and Werder move towards all-German semi-final

By Karolos Gorhmann

BERLIN (Reuters) - Hamburg SV and Werder Bremen stayed on course for an all-German UEFA Cup semi-final clash with 3-1 victories over Manchester City and Udinese respectively in their quarter-final, first legs on Thursday.

Shakhtar Donetsk beat visitors Olympique Marseille 2-0 while Dynamo Kiev drew at Paris St Germain in a lacklustre goalless affair leaving open the possibility of a Ukrainian semi-final if the French clubs fail to put in improved performances.

English Premier League side Manchester City, the richest club in the world, stunned Martin Jol's Hamburg with a goal in the first minute when midfielder Stephen Ireland slotted home after a smart interchange with Brazilian Robinho.

Hamburg quickly drew level eight minutes later through Joris Mathijsen, who powered in a header from a corner, before taking the lead in the 63rd minute when Piotr Trochowksi scored from a penalty after Micah Richards handled in the box.

With 11 minutes left Trochowski, outstanding this season, provided substitute Paolo Guerrero with a low cross for the Peruvian to slam in and give Hamburg a two-goal advantage ahead of next Thursday's second leg.

Brazilian Diego scored a goal in each half to steer Werder Bremen to a 3-1 win over Udinese, the last Italian club left in European competition.

The mercurial playmaker, who has been linked by the media with a move to several top Italian clubs, scored his second goal with a curling shot from the edge of the box in the 67th minute before Hugo Almeida added a third two minutes later.

Udinese's Fabio Quagliarella pulled one back three minutes from time to give the Italians some hope.