Rovers eased to a 4-0 win over the Lithuanian side at Ewood Park yesterday courtesy of goals from Morten Gamst Pedersen . . . who netted twice . . . Jason Roberts and Benni McCarthy.

Vetra almost gave them a score before then however. Starting far brighter, within minutes they were given the chance to reduce the 2-0 first-leg deficit. Brazilian Severino beat the offside trap and fired past Brad Friedel but his shot only found the side netting. That served to wake Blackburn up and they duly took the lead two minutes later. Roberts held the ball up before playing it to Bentley who crossed for Pedersen to head home.

Vetra's hopes effectively disappeared then when they were reduced to 10 men as midfielder Dejan Miloseski brought down Stephen Warnock for his second yellow. Three minutes into the second half, Rovers predictably stretched their lead with Pedersen again instrumental.

The Norwegian worked his way to the line where he pulled the ball back for Roberts to score from close range.

McCarthy scored Rovers' third when he acrobatically connected with Bentley's cross. Pedersen then drifted in a free-kick from the right and although Christopher Samba appeared to get a touch, the winger was credited with a second goal.

In the day's roster of friendly games, the marquee clash was easily that of Inter Milan and Valencia in the Arsenal-hosted Emirates Cup, the Spanish side winning comfortably 2-0.

Refereed by Corkman Alan Kelly, he thankfully didn't have to deal with any repeat of the brawl which marred their Champions League encounter in March and saw several players handed lengthy bans as well as the clubs heavily fined.

The tournament . . . which awards bonus points per goal . . . kicked off in what was rare summer sunshine in north London.

Valencia . . . beaten in the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season by Chelsea . . . started brightly. Impressive winger David Silva flashed an angled drive just over from the right side of the box, and it was no surprise when they took the lead on 13 minutes.

Ruben Baraja sent over a deep cross from the right, which picked out Jamie Gavilan at the far post. From a tight angle, the midfielder squeezed his firsttime shot under Francesco Toldo and into the bottom corner.

Inter meanwhile were struggling to get out of first gear. Captain Marco Materazzi was somewhat harshly jeered by the Emirates Stadium crowd, presumably for his part in the dismissal of France legend Zinedine Zidane in the World Cup final as well as his comments before the game that Arsenal are only half the team they were without Henry.

Veteran Portugal midfielder Luis Figo felt he should have been given a penalty when he appeared to be tripped by Ivan Helguera in the corner of the box. Kelly, however, was unimpressed.

On the half-hour mark, Valencia keeper Santiago Canizares saved well at the near post from Julio Cruz as Inter finally found life. Brazilian Maxwell then saw his low-angled drive come back off the inside of the post.

Moments later, however, and they were 2-0 down from a free-kick given away just to the left of the D in the 39th minute.

David Villa's effort was well struck and took a slight defection, flying past Toldo into the right-hand corner.

As expected, both teams made several changes at the break . . . Inter keeper Toldo was taken off for Julio Cezar and former Leeds midfielder Olivier Dacourt was also introduced. The changes only seemed to help Valencia however as substitute Miguel Angulo flashed a 20-yard drive wide as the Spaniards again were the more industrious side.

Another familiar face to the English crowd was introduced with 27 minutes left when former Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes replaced Silva. By then it mattered little as both teams were happy enough to go through the motions.

Elsewhere across the water, Chelsea received a shock 2-0 defeat away to Rangers, Walter Smith's side winning thanks to two late goals. Nacho Novo pounced on 85 minutes before Filip Sebo made sure moments later. Middlesbrough suffered similar fortune north of the border, as they lost 1-0 to Hibernians after a 90th minute finish from Ross Campbell.

Tottenham meanwhile continued their tour of South Africa with an easy 3-0 win over Orlando Pirates thanks to a brace from Darren Bent and another fine strike by Dmitar Berbatov.