European football returned to Tannadice for the first time in five years on Thursday night but there was no fairytale for Dundee United.
Over 12,000 of the Tangerine faithful watched as their side suffered a 1-0 defeat against AEK Athens in their Europa League qualifier and, despite a noisy start, their spirits were damped when the visitors took an 11th-minute lead.
The atmosphere did pick up at points within the home ranks, building to crescendos when the Terrors pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but the crucial strike never came.
The away tie will be played in Greece next week and United were given a little taster of what to expect with the contingent of around 500 Athens supporters constantly chanting and singing.
United fan Stuart Kelso made the trip through from Glasgow for the game but was left frustrated when the Tangerines’ singing subsided after the opening goal.
He said, “I was disappointed with the atmosphere I thought the crowd got as much stage fright as the team.
“We tried to make some noise but lost momentum when they scored.”
Tannadice season ticket holder Mike Andrews said United will now struggle to progress to the group stages of the competition.
“I thought Athens bossed the first half and they could have stepped it up in the second, although I thought Scott Robertson and Garry Kenneth were two of our best players,” he said.
“Next week will be very difficult because they contained us very well, and if they play a bit more expansively at home they could score two or three goals.”For a full match report, click here, and to view a gallery of photos from the match click here.