6. Newcastle Win Away In Champions League Qualifier - Partizan Belgrade vs NUFC (August 2003)
Thanks to a third-place finish the previous season, Newcastle found themselves in the third qualifying round of the Champions League at the start of the 2003-04 campaign. Their reward for such a strong placing was a two-legged tie with Partizan Belgrade, and with a trip to Serbia up first, Sir Bobby Robsons men faced a daunting task. A Toon following of around 200 made the trip and many found themselves being entertained at the British Embassy before heading to the JNA Stadium in sweltering conditions. On the field the Magpies rode their luck at times, but a Nolberto Solano goal six minutes before the break was enough to send United home with the slenderest of leads. But things didnt go to plan at St. James Park a fortnight later, where the Magpies crashed out of the competition on penalties after losing the home leg 1-0. And in a spectacularly bad piece of timing, that seasons silver kit went on sale at the club shop the very next morning as the Geordies licked their wounds.