Good evening and welcome to the LIVE commentary of Birmingham City's Europa League qualifier against CD Nacional in Madeira.

The youngster, Wood, is understandably finding it tough up top at the moment as Blues chances are few and far between. However, Beausejour is starting to look pretty tidy in the middle of the park.

Beausejour's corner is sent into the box but it's cleared. Ridgewell picks it up on the left and has a pop at goal. Straight at Elisson.

Nacional look very comfortable in possession. They're moving the ball around well but, so far, haven't caused the Blues major problems.

Danielson latches on to a long ball over the top by Edgar Da Costa. The falg is up straight away though. Offside.

The visitors seem happy to soak up the Nacional pressure at the moment with the view to hitting them on the break.

We've played just over 10 minutes in the game at the Estadio da Madeira. As expected, the hosts have been the better side and have looked the more likely side to score. But Blues are holding their own...

Skolnik sends a ball into the Blues' box. It's got plenty of height on it and allows Ridgewell to head clear.

CHANCE!!! Great challenge by Davies. Da Costa is sent through into the box and cuts inside before pulling the trigger on the edge of the six yards box. The Blues defender is across quickly to cut the ball out.

Burke cuts in from the right and has a left-footed effort straight at the goalkeeper.

Luís Alberto's tackle on Murphy is poor. Nothing Malicious, just late and clumsy. Free kick to the visitors.

Very positive start from the hosts. Costa goes down the centre and has a pop at goal. Myhill is across well to put the ball out for a corner. The Blues defence were all over the place.

The hosts are on the attack. The Blues back-four are coping well though, as Davies heads away.

Nacional kick off. The game is under way.

Both sets of players are out on the pitch. We're just moments from kick off.

The teams are in - Nacional: Elisson, Joao Aurelio, Felipe Lopes, Danielson, Nuno Pinto, Luis Alberto, Mihelic, Skolnik, Mateus, Rondon, Edgar Costa. Subs: Valverde, Todorovic, Diego Barcelos, Candeias, Oliver, Luis Neto, Elizeu /// Birmingham: Myhill, Carr, Davies, Caldwell, Ridgewell, Burke, Murphy, Redmond, Beausejour, Wood, Spector Subs: Doyle, Rooney, Fahey, Valles, Asante, Jervis, Hubbins

However, Ivo Vieira's side have already come through the second qualifying round to reach this stage, securing a 3-1 aggregate victory over FH Hafnarfjordur of Iceland.

Hughton won’t have had much chance to gauge the quality of the Blues’ Portuguese opponents this season as they have played just one game in their domestic league so far - a 0-0 draw away to Feirense on Sunday.

Manager Alex McLeish and a number of key players have since departed, with McLeish taking over the reins at bitter rivals and Premier League side Aston Villa. Former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is now at the helm with the stated aim of securing an immediate return to the top flight.

Birmingham booked their place in Europe's secondary contest with victory in the Carling Cup final over Arsenal back in February. However, the joy of lifting their first piece of silverware in 48 years and the subsequent participation the continental competition was swiftly tempered by relegation from the Premier League in May.