Forget the InterToto Cup, this was European competition in its proper attire, and how smartly West Ham took to it again after an absence of 19 seasons, scoring three times before the hour to ensure they will travel to Croatia in a fortnight's time brimming with confidence.
It was those twin terrors, that pair of cunning goal-scorers Paulo Wanchope and Paolo Di Canio, who seized a decisive advantage for Harry Redknapp's team after Osijek had impressed with their early resistance. That all but disappeared when the Italian exploited a rash moment by the goalkeeper Mario Galinovic and Frank Lampard went on to claim the third from Trevor Sinclair's clever pass.
Redknapp had taken Croatia Zagreb's containing of Manchester United the other night as a cue for what lay in store for his team. In that respect he was not disappointed.
West Ham finally breeched their opponents' defence four minutes before the break. Di Canio's speed of thought as he stood over a free-kick lay at the heart of it. Margas escaped to the left of goal to win an important header and after Mario Galinovic failed to gather, Wanchope was there to slide it over the line.
Margas had just made a crucial block in the other goalmouth after Vranjes had emerged dangerously. It was a good few minutes for the Chilean who had turned his hair claret and blue for the occasion.
The second half opened with surprise aplenty and a second Hammers goal. Galinovic first dealt splendidly with a Trevor Sinclair volley only to blot his copybook by then dropping a routine catch which Ivica Veljan shuffled away before Frank Lampard could pounce.
Sixty seconds later the goalkeeper was even more embarrassed when his attempt to pass the ball out to his right back was intercepted by Di Canio who scored skillfully and comfortably off the far post.
WEST HAM: Hislop, Potts, Stimac, Margas, Sinclair, Lomas, Lampard, Moncur (Foe 86), Keller, Wanchope, Di Canio (Kitson 84). Subs Not Used: Forrest, Carrick, Etherington, Forbes, Newton. Booked: Moncur, Potts. Goals: Wanchope 39, Di Canio 48, Lampard 58.
OSIJEK: Galinovic, Vuica, Beljan, Zebic, Gaspar, Prisc (Mitu 57), Vranjes, Ergovic, Babic, Bubalo (Turkovic 80), Besirevic (Balatinac 79). Subs Not Used: D. Malovan, D. Malovan, Zrilic, Ostopanj. Att: 25,331.
Referee: Paulo Cesar Da Silva (Portugal).
