BLUES are determined not to pass up the chance to progress in Europe and let all their hard work go to waste.

That’s the verdict of Wade Elliott as Blues departed for the next stage of their Europa League adventure today.

The squad flew out to Portugal for tomorrow’s game at SC Braga for a match that could decide their fate.

Braga, Blues and Club Brugge are all locked on seven points ahead of the penultimate round of group fixtures.

“We have given ourselves a great chance,” said Elliott.

“The danger of Europe is that you’re out of it early and then they tend to become group games no-one wants to be involved in.

“They are dead rubbers where you’re just playing them to fulfil fixtures.

“We have worked hard to get this far, we have enjoyed it, and judging certainly by Bruges, the fans have enjoyed it, that’s fair to say.

“It is a bit of an adventure and you get that sense from everybody and you take it all in.

“Unless you are playing for the top four or five teams in England, who play in Europe every year, it’s rare as a player to get this sort of opportunity.

“I have really enjoyed it, going abroad, new experiences, testing yourself against different players.

“Braga were in the final last year. If you can’t be excited by this sort of thing you’re in the wrong game.

“And we’ve given ourselves, considering the position we are in, a fighting chance of going through – and that’s what we hope to do.

“The games have got bigger and bigger as we’ve gone on which, at the outset of the group, is what we wanted.