However this being NUFC, the inevitable self-erected hurdle was in place just after the quarter hour mark when the visitors were allowed to level the tie with an away goal. Most of those in the ground thought that the final touch to a cross was applied by Shaun Bartlett, the chief Zurich threat, but later TV replays showed the cross went straight past Harper. 

Had South African-born striker Bartlett converted an opportunity that came his way moments later, we could even have had the spectre of extra time and penalties, but thankfully enough of a head of steam was built up by the Magpies to avoid that ignominy.

A free kick by Alan Shearer smacked against the bar, dropping kindly for the Croatian goal machine Maric to nod home. After that it was pretty much one way traffic and the second and third goals followed after the interval. 

Nobody really shone, but most of the lads had a reasonable game, and little Silvio probably shaded it - one smashing shot in the first half whistling narrowly wide. Marcelino seemed still to struggle at times even against this level of opposition, which doesn't augur well.... 

So, high hopes in the draw of a mega-tie, but balanced against the fact that the smaller teams left are mostly in the back of beyond. Personally I'd like to recreate the halycon days of 1969 and take on the Rangers - a real battle of Britain, never mind this Euro 2000 sideshow. 

There again, we could save them for the semi-final, just like last time...