Rueters
Tuesday, October 26, 2000; 2:47 PM

BERLIN, Oct 26 – Hertha Berlin beat Amica Wronki of Poland 3-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Cup second round tie on Thursday but were still jeered off the pitch by a meagre crowd at the Olympic Stadium.

Ambitious Hertha, who are currently second in the Bundesliga standings and trail leaders Bayern only on goal difference, dominated the Polish Cup winners but squandered many opportunities.

The match started in promising fashion for the Berlin club with former Germany striker Michael Preetz opening the scoring from close range after just eight minutes.

But the Germans failed to score again before the break and their defence looked nervous on the few times Wronki counter-attacked.

Midfielder Stefan Beinlich, set up by Brazilian striker Alex Alves, put the home side 2-0 up one minute into the second half and Polish striker Piotr Reiss made it 3-0 in the 65th minute.

Substitute Krzystof Piskula left the visitors with a slim hope of reaching the third round when he scored from a Mariusz Kukielka free kick two minutes from time.