Birmingham City did what they had to do, but the European tour has reached its conclusion. In front of a hopeful but realistic St Andrew's, Blues bowed out of the Europa League.

Victory over NK Maribor courtesy of Adam Rooney's goal would have been enough for them to progress to the  knockout stage of the competition had events in

Belgium been different.

However, alas, SC Braga, playing with 10 men for 74 minutes, could not conjure up the required win against Club Brugge.

They gave it a good go, in fairness. There was no carve-up. But the  1-1 draw meant that they both went through and Blues were edged out, finishing third in Group

H, agonisingly on a 10-point total, which is normally fine.

Blues can reflect on their Euro campaign and hold their heads up high with pride - the team and supporters alike. Just ask any player, supporter, resident or civic dignitary in Brugge for a start.

Returning to continental action for the first time in half-a-century, as a Championship side recovering from a tumultuous summer to boot, nothing was expected of them before a ball was kicked.

And some felt the Europa League was a necessary evil that would get in the way of the main target of league success.

On the contrary. Europe has been a blast and, if anything, galvanised the management, squad and supporters for the better. And the knock-on effects for the

Championship are sure to be positive, not negative - as has already been the case.

Blues  enriched the competition with their approach, their football, their spirit. They created a little niche in club history and the memories will linger long after this season finishes.

In many respects, it was rather a strange game last night. They early phases of play laid out just what kind of encounter it was likely to be.

Blues snaffled all the possession, Maribor were happy to let them have it, and it was a case of whether Blues could cash 
in sufficiently.

They got the advantage they so craved  in the 24th minute.

Unsurprisingly, it came from the right-hand avenue, where a scintillating Nathan Redmond tormented full-back Arghus all evening before he raised the right white

flag in surrender and went off probably not with the cramp indicated, but his legs in knots and his mind scrambled.