Draw for Europa Conference League 1st Qualifying Round (July 13 and 20)
* = seeded team

FK Sutjeska (MNE)* v SS Cosmos (SMR)
Balzan FC (MLT) v NK Domžale (SLO)*
FC Vaduz (LIE)* v FC Neman Grodno (BLR)
FC Ararat-Armenia (ARM)* v KF Egnatia (ALB)
FC Torpedo Kutaisi (GEO) v FK Sarajevo (BIH)*

FC Alashkert (ARM)* v FK Arsenal Tivat (MNE)
FK Željezničar (BIH) v FC Dinamo Minsk (BLR)*
SP La Fiorita (SMR)* v FC Zimbru Chișinău (MDA)
NK Maribor (SLO)* v Birkirkara FC (MLT)
KF Tirana (ALB) v FC Dinamo Batumi (GEO)*

Dundalk FC (IRL)* v FC Bruno's Magpies (GIB)
Víkingur (FAR) v Inter Club d'Escaldes (AND)*
FC Progrès Niederkorn (LUX)* v SC Gjilani (KOS)
Linfield FC (NIR)* v KF Vllaznia (ALB)
KA (ISL) v Connah's Quay Nomads FC (WAL)*

KF Shkëndija (MKD)* v Haverfordwest County AFC (WAL)
FC Haka (FIN) v Crusaders FC (NIR)*
HB (FAR)* v Derry City FC (IRL)
Riga FC (LAT)* v KF Víkingur (ISL)
MŠK Žilina (SLK) v FCI Levadia (EST)*

FC Pyunik (ARM)* v JK Narva Trans (EST)
FK Panevėžys (LTU) v FC Milsami Orhei (MDA)*
FC Tobol (KAZ)* v FC Honka (FIN)
FC DAC 1904 (SLK)* v FC Dila Gori (GEO)
FK Makedonija Ǵorče Petrov (MKD) v FK RFS (LAT)*

KF Dukagjini (KOS) v Europa FC (GIB)*
Penybont FC (WAL) v FC Santa Coloma (AND)*
FK Hegelmann (LTU) v KF Shkupi (MKD)*
F91 Diddeleng (LUX)* v Saint Patrick's Athletic FC (IRL)
B36 (FAR)* v Paide Linnameeskond (EST)
Gżira United FC (MLT)* v Glentoran FC (NIR)

Ciao,
Werner

On Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 3:37:31 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
> Draw for Europa Conference League 1st Qualifying Round (July 13 and 20)
> * = seeded team
>
>
> FK Sutjeska (MNE)* v SS Cosmos (SMR)
> Balzan FC (MLT) v NK Domžale (SLO)*
> FC Vaduz (LIE)* v FC Neman Grodno (BLR)
> FC Ararat-Armenia (ARM)* v KF Egnatia (ALB)
> FC Torpedo Kutaisi (GEO) v FK Sarajevo (BIH)*
>
> FC Alashkert (ARM)* v FK Arsenal Tivat (MNE)
> FK Željezničar (BIH) v FC Dinamo Minsk (BLR)*
> SP La Fiorita (SMR)* v FC Zimbru Chișinău (MDA)
> NK Maribor (SLO)* v Birkirkara FC (MLT)
> KF Tirana (ALB) v FC Dinamo Batumi (GEO)*
>
> Dundalk FC (IRL)* v FC Bruno's Magpies (GIB)
> Víkingur (FAR) v Inter Club d'Escaldes (AND)*
> FC Progrès Niederkorn (LUX)* v SC Gjilani (KOS)
> Linfield FC (NIR)* v KF Vllaznia (ALB)
> KA (ISL) v Connah's Quay Nomads FC (WAL)*
>
> KF Shkëndija (MKD)* v Haverfordwest County AFC (WAL)
> FC Haka (FIN) v Crusaders FC (NIR)*
> HB (FAR)* v Derry City FC (IRL)
> Riga FC (LAT)* v KF Víkingur (ISL)
> MŠK Žilina (SLK) v FCI Levadia (EST)*
>
> FC Pyunik (ARM)* v JK Narva Trans (EST)
> FK Panevėžys (LTU) v FC Milsami Orhei (MDA)*
> FC Tobol (KAZ)* v FC Honka (FIN)
> FC DAC 1904 (SLK)* v FC Dila Gori (GEO)
> FK Makedonija Ǵorče Petrov (MKD) v FK RFS (LAT)*
>
> KF Dukagjini (KOS) v Europa FC (GIB)*
> Penybont FC (WAL) v FC Santa Coloma (AND)*
> FK Hegelmann (LTU) v KF Shkupi (MKD)*
> F91 Diddeleng (LUX)* v Saint Patrick's Athletic FC (IRL)
> B36 (FAR)* v Paide Linnameeskond (EST)
> Gżira United FC (MLT)* v Glentoran FC (NIR)

Draw for Europa Conference League 2nd Qualifying Round (July 27 and August 3)

Champions Path
_ = unseeded team (one per draw group)
Reminder: in the Champions Path, it's the *losers* of the below mentioned ties that will go into these matches

SP Tre Penne (SMR)/Breiðablik (ISL)_ v NK Olimpija Ljubljana (SLO)/Valmiera FC (LAT)
KÍ (FAR)/Ferencvárosi TC (HUN) v Shamrock Rovers FC (IRL)/Winners of preliminary round (AND/ISL/MNE/SMR)
BK Häcken (SWE)/The New Saints FC (WAL) v ŠK Slovan Bratislava (SLK)/FC Swift Hesper (LUX)

Atlètic Club d'Escaldes (AND)/FK Budućnost Podgorica (MNE)_ v FK Partizani (ALB)/FC BATE Borisov (BLR)
Ħamrun Spartans FC (MLT)/Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR) v FC Astana (KAZ)/FC Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO)
FCV Farul Constanța (ROM)/FC Sheriff (MDA) v FC Urartu (ARM)/HŠK Zrinjski Mostar (BIH)

FK Žalgiris (LTU)/FK Struga (MKD) v Preliminary Round Runners-Up (AND/ISL/MNE/SMR)_
KF Ballkani (KOS)/PFC Ludogorets 1945 (BUL) v HJK (FIN)/Larne FC (NIR)

Byes: Lincoln Red Imps FC (GIB)/Qarabağ FK (AZE) and RKS Raków Czestochowa (POL)/FC Flora (EST)

Main Path
* = seeded team

HNK Rijeka (CRO)* v KF Dukagjini (KOS)/Europa FC (GIB)
Gżira United FC (MLT)/Glentoran FC (NIR) v F91 Diddeleng (LUX)/Saint Patrick's Athletic FC (IRL)*
Djurgårdens IF (SWE)* v FC Luzern (SUI)
NK Celje (SLO) v Vitória SC (POR)*
FK Sutjeska (MNE)/SS Cosmos (SMR)* v Penybont FC (WAL)/FC Santa Coloma (AND)

Hapoel Be'er Sheva FC (ISR)* v FK Panevėžys (LTU)/FC Milsami Orhei (MDA)
FC Vorskla Poltava (UKR) v FC DAC 1904 (SLK)/FC Dila Gori (GEO)*
FC CFR 1907 Cluj (ROM)* v Adana Demirspor (TUR)
FC Ordabasy (KAZ) v Legia Warszawa (POL)*
FK Makedonija Ǵorče Petrov (MKD)/FK RFS (LAT)* v Sabah FK (AZE)

Beşiktaş JK (TUR)* v KF Tirana (ALB)/FC Dinamo Batumi (GEO)
FK Željezničar (BIH)/FC Dinamo Minsk (BLR) v Neftçi PFK (AZE)*
APOEL FC (CYP)* v FK Vojvodina (SRB)
FC CSKA 1948 Sofia (BUL) v FC FCSB (ROM)*
FC Alashkert (ARM)/FK Arsenal Tivat (MNE)* v Debreceni VSC (HUN)

KKS Lech Poznań (POL)* v FK Kauno Žalgiris (LTU)
Kalmar FF (SWE) v FC Pyunik (ARM)/JK Narva Trans (EST)*
FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR)* v Bohemians Praha 1905 (CZE)
FK Auda (LAT) v FC Spartak Trnava (SLK)*
NK Osijek (CRO)* v Zalaegerszegi TE FC (HUN)

FC Twente (NED)* v Hammarby IF (SWE)
KA (ISL)/Connah's Quay Nomads FC (WAL) v Dundalk FC (IRL)/FC Bruno's Magpies (GIB)*
Club Brugge KV (BEL)* v AGF (DEN)
FC Haka (FIN)/Crusaders FC (NIR) v Rosenborg BK (NOR)*
Hibernian FC (SCO)* v Víkingur (FAR)/Inter Club d'Escaldes (AND)

FC Viktoria Plzeň (CZE)* v KF Drita (KOS)
B36 (FAR)/Paide Linnameeskond (EST) v KF Shkëndija (MKD)/Haverfordwest County AFC (WAL)*
FC Basel 1893 (SUI)* v FC Tobol (KAZ)/FC Honka (FIN)
FC Differdange 03 (LUX) v NK Maribor (SLO)/Birkirkara FC (MLT)*
FK Austria Wien (AUT)* v FK Borac Banja Luka (BIH)

PFC CSKA-Sofia (BUL)* v ACS Sepsi OSK Sfântu Gheorghe (ROM)
FC Ararat-Armenia (ARM)/KF Egnatia (ALB) v Aris FC (GRE)*
Maccabi Tel Aviv FC (ISR)* v FC Petrocub Hîncești (MDA)
FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino (BLR) v AEK Larnaca FC (CYP)*
FC Torpedo Kutaisi (GEO)/FK Sarajevo (BIH)* v FC Aktobe (KAZ)

FC Midtjylland (DEN)* v FC Progrès Niederkorn (LUX)/SC Gjilani (KOS)
HB (FAR)/Derry City FC (IRL) v KuPS (FIN)*
KAA Gent (BEL)* v MŠK Žilina (SLK)/FCI Levadia (EST)
Kecskeméti TE (HUN) v Riga FC (LAT)/KF Víkingur (ISL)*
Linfield FC (NIR)/KF Vllaznia (ALB)* v MKS Pogoń Szczecin (POL)

PAOK FC (GRE)* v Beitar Jerusalem FC (ISR)
Balzan FC (MLT)/NK Domžale (SLO) v FC Vaduz (LIE)/FC Neman Grodno (BLR)*
Fenerbahçe SK (TUR)* v SP La Fiorita (SMR)/FC Zimbru Chișinău (MDA)
Qəbələ FK (AZE) v AC Omonoia (CYP)*
FK Hegelmann (LTU)/KF Shkupi (MKD)* v PFC Levski Sofia (BUL)

Ciao,
Werner

Europa Conference League 1st Qualifying Round, 1st legs
* = seeded team

July 12

F91 Diddeleng (LUX)* v Saint Patrick's Athletic FC (IRL) 2-1 (1-0)
(van Lingen 24', Roemer 61'; Doyle 90'+3)

Two well-taken goals by Dutch-born players gave Düdelingen the seemingly
unassailable lead, but an awful mistake by their defender Vincent Decker who
failed to clear an absolutely harmless cross allowed the Irish to pull one back at
the death.

B36 (FAR)* v Paide Linnameeskond (EST) 0-0 (0-0)

Paide already nil-nilled their way into the third qualification round last
year, so maybe they'll manage to do something similar this season as well.

July 13

FC Tobol (KAZ)* v FC Honka (FIN) 2-1 (0-1)
(Vukadinović 62', 75'; Kaufmann 39')

Brazilian in the North Lucas Kaufmann gave Honka the lead with a nice shot from
distance: https://media.giphy.com/media/8QCgqJ5mziatN4dt1W/giphy.gif
but Serbian winger Miljan Vukadinović (I'm starting to think I'm going to need an
acronym as well for all those footballers from ex-Yugoslavia plying their trade in
the far reaches of UEFA's sphere of influence) first equalised with a precise
effort from the edge of the box and then took advantage of a massive cock-up by
the Finnish defence: https://media.giphy.com/media/hAx1GJsrNq8zDgfWIR/giphy..gif

FC Ararat-Armenia (ARM)* v KF Egnatia (ALB) 1-1 (1-0)
(Alemão 36'; Dwamena 90'+7)

In their European debut, Egnatia from the small central Albanian city of
Rrogozhina (and named after the ancient Roman road between Rome and Constantinople
that once ran through the area) fell behind when Brazilian in the East Guilherme
António de Souza called Alemão headed in a corner kick, but deep in stoppage time
they got the equaliser likewise after a corner kick. Have a look at the ensuing
celebrations and see whether these early European rounds are of no importance to
the teams involved: https://media.giphy.com/media/zgU5OnO02dpyL2XlMb/giphy.gif

Goalscorer Raphael Dwamena has had an interesting career trajectory, five years
ago the Ghanaian looked like quite the promising striker first in Red Bull's youth
setup in Austria and then in Switzerland, but a hereditary heart condition (like
Christian Eriksen he's playing with an implanted defibrillator) derailed his
career, and after he had collapsed on the pitch in an Austrian second league match
two years ago it appeared like his playing days were over for good.

So, on one hand it's really nice to see him successfully relaunch his career in
the Albanian league where he finished as one of the top scorers last season, but
I also sincerely hope that he's been given the green light to play only after
really rigorous medical checks.

Inter Club d'Escaldes (AND)* v Víkingur (FAR) 2-1 (2-0)
(Feher 28', El Haddadi 45'+1; Vatnhamar 59' (pen))

A bit disappointing from my favourite Vikings to fall behind to headers by Inter's
Romanian centre-back Raul Feher and longtime former Segunda B striker Ander El
Haddadi, but at least good old Sølvi Vatnhamar (his younger brother Gunnar has in
the meantime quite literally jumped ship and transferred from Víkingur in Gøta to
Víkingur in Reykjavík) managed to halve the deficit thanks to a handball penalty.

Wins like these are what allow Andorra to be fully in the mix as far as the fight
to get out of the bottom five in the UEFA ranking is concerned (and so have four
instead of just three European entries). In that regard, it really is only San
Marino that's indeed kind of hopeless.

FC Pyunik (ARM)* v JK Narva Trans (EST) 2-0 (0-0)
(Juričić 65', James 88')

Bosnian striker Luka Juričić headed in Hovhannes Harutyunyan's cross, and late on
a mishit cross by Brazilian in the East James Santos left Narva keeper Kraizmer
with egg on his face: https://media.giphy.com/media/HYkUufehGeEOS37oyb/giphy.gif

MŠK Žilina (SLK) v FCI Levadia (EST)* 2-1 (1-0)
(Ďuriš 7', Myslovič 90'+3 (pen); Agyiri 51')

Žilina, who are known for relying fully on their youth setup, got the early lead
thanks to Dávid Ďuriš (as far as I can tell no relation to former Slovak
international striker Michal Ďuriš) and his solo run into the box, but young
players can make egregious mistakes, too - 19-year-old Mário Sauer, minutes after
having come on as a half-time substitute, completely misjudged a cross meeting it
with a super-awkward header which allowed Levadia's Ghanaian former Manchester
City Academy alumnus Ernest Agyiri to latch onto the loose ball and fire in the
equaliser. In stoppage time Cameroonian winger Loic Essomba, another 19-year-old
substitute, broke through alone on goal only to be brought down by Brazilian in
the East Heitor, and Patrik Myslovič, back in Žilina after an ill-fated loan spell
with Aberdeen, got the winner from the spot.

FK Makedonija Ǵorče Petrov (MKD) v FK RFS (LAT)* 0-1 (0-1)
(Ilić 34')

Serbian striker Andrej Ilić volleyed in a cross by the Ivorian Cedric Kouadio for
the only goal. In their ninth attempt (excluding the Intertoto), Makedonija are
still winless in Europe.

FC Bruno's Magpies (GIB) v Dundalk FC (IRL)* 0-0 (0-0)

Following last year's home win over Crusaders yet another very decent result
against Irish opposition for the Magpies from Bruno's Bar & Restaurant.

FC Haka (FIN) v Crusaders FC (NIR)* 2-2 (2-1)
(Rogerson 33' (pen), Fofana 36'; Forsythe 22', Clarke 68';
Red Card: Laine (Hak) 66')

Ha-ha Haka, back in Europe after fifteen years, fell behind early when Crusaders
veteran midfielder Jordan Forsythe got to a loose ball and sent it screaming into
the top corner: https://media.giphy.com/media/MqTPsUcuiDwG3JIZ78/giphy.gif
but New Zealand international Logan Rogerson subsequently equalised from the spot,
and young Ivorian striker Tiemoko Fofana, freshly signed from Azerbaijan, tapped
in a cross by Greek-American winger Stavros Zarokostas. Haka's squad is
surprisingly international. The Finns then made things difficult for themselves -
Janne-Pekka Laine committed two hard fouls in the space of two minutes and saw a
booking for each of them, and just minutes later Ross Clarke, another of
Crusaders' long-time players, scored the equaliser with an expertly struck free-
kick: https://media.giphy.com/media/MGk0DAiEdcgSM0p160/giphy.gif

FK Panevėžys (LTU) v FC Milsami Orhei (MDA)* 2-2 (1-0)
(Čađenović 17' (pen), Smith 48'; Gînsari 51' (pen), 67')

The Lithuanian league leaders took the early lead through Jovan Čađenović's
penalty, but just ten minutes later their Montenegrin midfielder sent another spot
kick against the left post. Nicaraguan international striker Ariagner Smith scored
their second by running onto a long ball and holding off a feeble challenge by
Milsami's Ukrainian centre-back Yaroslav Terekhov:
https://media.giphy.com/media/GsSZRQqCACha4UST4p/giphy.gif
but Milsami's veteran striker Radu Gînsari, with years of experience in the top
leagues of Israel and Russia as well as in the Moldovan NT under his belt, first
got one back from the spot and then headed in Danu Spătaru's cross for the
equaliser.

NK Domžale (SLO)* v Balzan FC (MLT) 1-4 (0-2)
(Kovačević 57' (pen); Andrejić 8', J. Grech 44' (pen), Olawale 53', Zerjal 90'+4;
Red Card: Husmani (Dom) 88')

Whoa. Balzan have survived a round in Europe only once before (against Keşlə from
Azerbaijan in the 2018-19 Europa League qualifiers), so it was more than a bit
surprising that they got the second-biggest win of the night, and away in
Slovenia.
A Serbian opened the scoring for Balzan, Aleksa Andrejić was lying sprawling on
the ground when he managed to tap in the rebound from his own header:
https://media.giphy.com/media/tggR3JujNKDTZZ9TJy/giphy.gif
Maltese international Jake Grech then got the second with a penalty, and he also
provided the corner kick that young Nigerian Peter Olawale headed in for Balzan's
third. Former Hajduk Split, Hoffenheim, and Cincinnati prospect Franko Kovačević
reduced the deficit likewise from the spot, but late on Zeni Husmani saw a quite
harsh red for barging into Balzan's Serbian keeper Golović while trying to
recuperate the ball and speed up the game, and he might well have regretted to
have wished for that as against ten men the Maltese even added a fourth - Nikola
Žerjal, yet another Serbian, tapped in a cross by Balzan's Colombian winger Ángel
Torres.

FC Torpedo Kutaisi (GEO) v FK Sarajevo (BIH)* 2-2 (1-0)
(Sandokhadze 44', Bugridze 48'; Oliveira 47', Varešanović 52')

Sarajevo had already hit the woodwork twice before the Georgians took the lead
through their centre-back Nika Sandokhadze who headed in a corner kick. The two
sides exchanged goals in quick succession after the break - first Sarajevo's
Brazilian striker Renan Oliveira converted Samir Zeljković's through ball:
https://media.giphy.com/media/bCRTb4K1ly8dpxuOe4/giphy.gif
then Irakli Bugridze surprised Sarajevo's new Croatian keeper Lovre Rogić at his
near post: https://media.giphy.com/media/nbPgVWkH54oTNWxtRL/giphy.gif
and finally Dal Varešanović (his father Mirza once played for Bordeaux, Olympiacos
and briefly Austria Vienna) headed in Almedin Ziljkić's cross:
https://media.giphy.com/media/NdZeS4y6DkBaqk9icA/giphy.gif
Late on, it was Torpedo's turn to hit the crossbar with a deflected cross.

Europa Conference League 1st Qualifying Round, 2nd legs
Teams in CAPITALS (except DAC and HB) through to ECLQ2
* = seeded team

July 18

BALZAN FC (MLT) v NK Domžale (SLO)* 1-3 aet (0-1, 0-3), 5-4 on aggregate
(André Fausto 94'; Nwankwo 44', Pišek 63', Kovačević 73';
Red Card: André Fausto (Bal) 98')

Young Nigerian defender Abraham Nwankwo headed in Danijel Šturm's cross, Jošt
Pišek's free-kick went past everyone on its way into the net:
https://giphy.com/media/iFSwHtu6o1kdCepSty/giphy.gif
and Franko Kovačević ran onto Mario Krstovski's through ball and side-stepped
Balzan's Serbian keeper Golović to completely make up the first-leg deficit:
https://giphy.com/media/eASw79ShaEmseUuKUP/giphy.gif
But out of nowhere the Maltese took the lead again in extra time when Nikola
Žerjal's deflected cross fell right at the feet of André Fausto:
https://giphy.com/media/qLWsmF6DIBOZqXtrwN/giphy.gif and despite the Brazilian in
the Mediterranean receiving a second yellow shortly afterwards (the first had been
for taking his jersey off for the goal celebrations), Balzan held on to the result
until the final whistle.

To be eliminated this way, chasing in vain a single goal against ten Maltese, is
probably the worst possible outcome the Slovenians could have envisioned following
their heavy home defeat.

July 20

Birkirkara FC (MLT) v NK MARIBOR (SLO)* 1-2 (1-0), 2-3 on aggregate
(Yankam 19' (pen); Jakupović 80', Skuka 88')

Malta vs Slovenia Part Deux had a happier end for our southern neighbours, but
Maribor were made to suffer as well as Birkirkara were awarded an early handball
penalty that was despatched by Yannick Yankam. It wasn't until ten minutes from
time that Austria's former big striker hope Arnel Jakupović headed in Ivan Brnić's
cross to level the aggregate score, and another substitute, Metz loanee and
Albanian international Xhuliano Skuka, got the winner following an irresistible
solo run: https://giphy.com/media/WnGkKIGQ5I7iY48KFu/giphy.gif

Europa FC (GIB)* v KF DUKAGJINI (KOS) 2-3 (1-1), 3-5 on aggregate
(Quintana 38' (pen), Vera 87'; Zylfiu 23' (pen), 79', Shala 47';
Red Cards: Pozo (Eur) 29', Shabani (Duk) 29', Heredia (Eur) 88')

Now that's the kind of hard-fought European struggle we're here for (or at least I
am). Goals, penalties, red cards flying!

FC SANTA COLOMA (AND)* v Penybont FC (WAL) 2-0 aet (0-0, 0-0), 3-1 on aggregate
(Garrido 105'+1, Novoa 119'; Red Card: Venables (Pen) 114')

The disaster started for the team from Bridgend when substitute left-back Jonathan
Brown made the ill-fated decision to shepherd a long ball out of play:
https://giphy.com/media/vnLkNUEFUWeSB3jn3j/giphy.gif
Against ten Welsh, FCSC's Venezuelan striker Cristian Novoa volleyed in another
on the break.
Considering that the next opponent will be Sutjeska, who struggled against Cosmos
from San Marino, a big opportunity lost for the Welsh debutants.

JK Narva Trans (EST) v FC PYUNIK (ARM)* 0-3 (0-2), 0-5 on aggregate
(Dashyan 8', Juninho 14', Juričić 66')

Trans really are one of the most hopeless teams in Europe, the only time in now 20
attempts that they didn't lose a match was back in the 2001-02 UEFA Cup when their
opponents Elfsborg fielded a suspended player, and despite being awarded the 3-0
win they managed to lose the return leg 0-5.

FK RFS (LAT)* v FK Makedonija Ǵorče Petrov (MKD) 4-1 (1-0), 5-1 on aggregate
(Kouadio 43', 58', Panić 68', Ilić 86'; Stojkovski 50')

Makedonija also remain winless in their tenth European encounter, but at least
they've had two draws.

Paide Linnameeskond (EST) v B36 (FAR)* 0-2 aet (0-0, 0-0), 0-2 on aggregate
(E. Nielsen 92', Przybylski 95')

After 180 goalless minutes two goals in quick succession decided the tie, and both
came from poorly defended corner kicks.

FC Milsami Orhei (MDA)* v FK PANEVEŻYS (LTU) 0-1 (0-0), 2-3 on aggregate
(Keita 56')

Milsami eliminated Panevėžys last year at the same stage, but this time the shoe
was on the other foot, as Senegalese defender Seydina Keita got the decisive goal
by heading in a free-kick by Frenchman Chafik Tigroudja:
https://giphy.com/media/d5PUKMn4nsSWA3C3vE/giphy.gif

FC Honka (FIN) v FC TOBOL (KAZ)* 0-0 (0-0), 1-2 on aggregate

Not a single shot on goal for the team from Espoo.

FCI Levadia (EST)* v MŠK ŽILINA (SLK) 1-2 (1-2), 2-4 on aggregate
(Agyiri 10'; Rusnák 4', Stojčevski 45'+2)

Estonia together with Gibraltar and San Marino are the only league to have already
lost all their non-champion entries, and Flora lost in the Champions League
qualifiers, too.

FC Dinamo Minsk (BLR)* v FK ŽELJEZNIČAR (BIH) 1-2 (0-0), 3-4 on aggregate
(Sedko 64' (pen); Sachivko 44' (og), Krpić 78')

The last time these two teams had met was in the quarterfinals of the 1984-85 UEFA
Cup. Back then the Bosnians (with Ivica Osim as their coach) went through and
were in turn eliminated by Hungary's Videoton in the semis. Different times..
38 years later in Baku (Dinamo's choice in light of a potential next round match-
up against Neftçi) Željezničar prevailed again, as even though Aleksandr
Sachivko's own goal: https://giphy.com/media/eACsAuVC0n1M7kyys3/giphy.gif
was cancelled out by Pavel Sedko's penalty, awarded for Željo keeper Mulalić's
head slap: https://giphy.com/media/EbUfsbuIcVZIT0FADH/giphy.gif
late on Sulejman Krpić turned in Irfan Jašarević's cut-back cross for the winner:
https://giphy.com/media/4HuxjG6dXX0cVNZmYd/giphy.gif

FC ZIMBRU CHIȘINĂU (MDA) v SP La Fiorita (SMR)* 1-0 (1-0), 2-1 on aggregate
(Dedechko 35')

Aww. Unfortunately La Fiorita's 39-year-old keeper Gianluca Vivan despite more
than 180 Serie C matches under his belt let a shot by Zimbru's Ukrainian
midfielder Denys Dedechko go straight through him:
https://giphy.com/media/pzMv8VurJWZ2LULk1i/giphy.gif

FC Dinamo Batumi (GEO)* v KF TIRANA (ALB) 1-2 (0-1), 2-3 on aggregate
(Kapanadze 90'; Lushkja 28', Deliu 77')

Dinamo Batumi are leading the Georgian Erovnuli Liga at the moment, but that
doesn't make them any better at catching a break in Europe. Regi Lushkja swept in
Ardit Hila's cross for the opener:
https://giphy.com/media/kkWh9Rer2ZT5W5oCrs/giphy.gif
and just after Dynamo Kyiv loanee Heorhiy Tsitaishvili had volleyed against the
left post Ardit Deliu made it two by likewise converting a cross by Fjoart Jonuzi:
https://giphy.com/media/FZYZQd2NslCdN6XTGF/giphy.gif
Tornike Kapanadze's deflected consolation goal came too late.

FC DILA GORI (GEO) v FC DAC 1904 (SLK)* 2-0 (1-0), 3-2 on aggregate
(Gale 33', Alef Santos 78')

But amazingly some Georgian clubs do catch a break! Dila were the better team in
the first half and Barbadian international striker Thierry Gale, who had made his
way to Stalin's home town via Honvéd Budapest, ran onto Tornike Dzotsenidze's
through ball to lob it over DAC keeper Petráš. The Hungarian Slovakians ramped up
the pressure in the second half, but just after a seven-minute break due to
floodlight failure Dila got the aggregate winner thanks to Brazilian in the East
Alef Santos's excellent curler from 25 metres. Late on Dunajská Streda hit the
woodwork twice.

Following Ferencváros the day before, another shock for a Hungarian government-
sponsored club.

FC NEMAN GRODNO (BLR) v FC Vaduz (LIE)* 1-1 (1-0), 3-2 on aggregate
(Savitski 16' (pen); Golliard 86')

The Belarusians decided to play this in Gyirmót's small stadium in the suburbs of
Győr in Western Hungary. Liridon Berisha, who had already given away a goal in the
first leg, caused a handball penalty to give Neman the lead, and despite YB loanee
Théo Golliard getting a late equaliser with a deflected shot an overall rather
disappointing Vaduz side went out already at the first hurdle. Rapid Vienna will
breathe a sigh of relief.

If it weren't for last year's miraculous season, Liechtenstein would be second
from last in the UEFA ranking.

KF Egnatia (ALB) v FC ARARAT-ARMENIA (ARM)* 4-4 aet (1-1, 2-2), 5-5 on aggregate, Ararat-Armenia win 4-2 on penalties
(Medeiros 4', Kasa 36', Dwamena 108', 120'+4; Eza 17', Castanheira 58',
Yenne 110', Bueno 113')

Brazilian in the East Fernando Medeiros, who had started out at Santos, early on
headed in a corner kick, but Ivorian striker Wilfried Eza soon equalised for the
Armenians on the break. Parma youth product Redi Kasa headed Egnatia in front
again, but Ararat-Armenia (it's always necessary to use the full name since
there's another FC Ararat in the Armenian League) once more equalised through
their new Portuguese signing Adriano Castanheira:
https://giphy.com/media/vR8zEy3w3geg6LMneo/giphy.gif

Extra Time was insanity, and exactly the kind of thing that makes these early
rounds so much fun. Raphael Dwamena tapped in from close range following yet
another header, but Nigerian winger Tenton Yenne immediately equalised for the
Armenians by converting the rebound off of Artem Avanesyan's header:
https://giphy.com/media/KGRaPttJCa1ITghXpa/giphy.gif
As crosses were an evident problem for both teams throughout the match, chaos
after a corner kick ended with Colombian centre-back Junior Bueno volleying in
Ararat-Armenia's fourth, but Dwamena once more came to the rescue deep in stoppage
time by reacting quickest to a wayward header by the Armenian defence:
https://giphy.com/media/4CYeWNAlDYJYEezcBs/giphy.gif
Poor Dwamena was then one of only two Egnatia players to convert his penalty in
the shoot-out.

On Saturday, July 22, 2023 at 12:49:59 AM UTC-4, Werner Pichler wrote:
>

Fantastic post as usual.

> Glentoran FC (NIR) v GŻIRA UNITED FC (MLT)* 1-1 aet (0-0, 1-1), 3-3 on aggregate, Gżira win 14-13 on penalties
> (Burns 90'+13; Lucas Macula 67')

This was some match!
> it was Donnelly's penalty number 24 that became an instant classic, one for the
> ages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKU_siorq04

LOL. Don't these guys watch youtube?

https://youtu.be/lMQ-lwTi7WU

(I have to say, the original was better)

>
> CRUSADERS FC (NIR)* v FC Haka (FIN) 1-0 (0-0), 3-2 on aggregate
> (Heatley 73')
>
> Ha-ha Haka! https://giphy.com/media/vNhnw06jsguD9CyFPT/giphy.gif

Ha-ha- Haka!

On Saturday, July 22, 2023 at 2:07:06 PM UTC+2, Futbolmetrix wrote:
> On Saturday, July 22, 2023 at 12:49:59 AM UTC-4, Werner Pichler wrote:
> >
>
> Fantastic post as usual.

Thanks.

> > Glentoran FC (NIR) v GŻIRA UNITED FC (MLT)* 1-1 aet (0-0, 1-1), 3-3 on aggregate, Gżira win 14-13 on penalties
> > (Burns 90'+13; Lucas Macula 67')
>
> This was some match!
>
> > it was Donnelly's penalty number 24 that became an instant classic, one for the
> > ages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKU_siorq04
>
> LOL. Don't these guys watch youtube?
>
> https://youtu.be/lMQ-lwTi7WU
>
> (I have to say, the original was better)

I didn't know this one!

I had thought this was the original:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H6OpJPiW84

Ciao,
Werner

Draw for Europa Conference League 3rd Qualifying Round (August 10 and 17)
Winners go to ECLPO

Champions Path
(no seeding)

Ħamrun Spartans FC (MLT)/FC Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO) v Ferencvárosi TC (HUN)/Shamrock Rovers FC (IRL)
FCV Farul Constanța (ROM)/FC Urartu (ARM) v FC Flora (EST)
SP Tre Penne (SMR)/Valmiera FC (LAT) v Atlètic Club d'Escaldes (AND)/FK Partizani (ALB)

KF Ballkani (KOS)/Larne FC (NIR) v Lincoln Red Imps FC (GIB)
FK Struga (MKD)/FK Budućnost Podgorica (MNE) v The New Saints FC (WAL)/FC Swift Hesper (LUX)

Main Path
* = seeded team

FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino (BLR)/AEK Larnaca FC (CYP) v Maccabi Tel Aviv FC (ISR)/FC Petrocub Hîncești (MDA)*
FK RFS (LAT)/Sabah FK (AZE) v FK Partizan (SRB)*
PFC CSKA-Sofia (BUL)/ACS Sepsi OSK Sfântu Gheorghe (ROM)* v FC Torpedo Kutaisi (GEO)/FC Aktobe (KAZ)
SK Rapid Wien (AUT)* v FC Alashkert (ARM)/Debreceni VSC (HUN)

HNK Hajduk Split (CRO) v PAOK FC (GRE)/Beitar Jerusalem FC (ISR)*
FK Sutjeska (MNE)/FC Santa Coloma (AND) v AZ (NED)*
NK Celje (SLO)/Vitória SC (POR)* v Balzan FC (MLT)/FC Neman Grodno (BLR)
Beşiktaş JK (TUR)/KF Tirana (ALB)* v FK Željezničar (BIH)/Neftçi PFK (AZE)

Qəbələ FK (AZE)/AC Omonoia (CYP) v FC Midtjylland (DEN)/FC Progrès Niederkorn (LUX)*
FC Ararat-Armenia (ARM)/Aris FC (GRE) v FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)*
FC Ordabasy (KAZ)/Legia Warszawa (POL)* v FK Austria Wien (AUT)/FK Borac Banja Luka (BIH)
Hapoel Be'er Sheva FC (ISR)/FK Panevėžys (LTU)* v KF Shkupi (MKD)/PFC Levski Sofia (BUL)

Hibernian FC (SCO)/Inter Club d'Escaldes (AND) v Djurgårdens IF (SWE)/FC Luzern (SUI)*
FC Viktoria Plzeň (CZE)/KF Drita (KOS)* v Gżira United FC (MLT)/F91 Diddeleng (LUX)
FC Arouca (POR)* v SK Brann (NOR)
KAA Gent (BEL)/MŠK Žilina (SLK)* v Linfield FC (NIR)/MKS Pogoń Szczecin (POL)
FC CFR 1907 Cluj (ROM)/Adana Demirspor (TUR)* v NK Osijek (CRO)/Zalaegerszegi TE FC (HUN)

B36 (FAR)/Haverfordwest County AFC (WAL) v HNK Rijeka (CRO)/KF Dukagjini (KOS)*
FC Twente (NED)/Hammarby IF (SWE)* v Kecskeméti TE (HUN)/Riga FC (LAT)
Crusaders FC (NIR)/Rosenborg BK (NOR)* v Heart of Midlothian FC (SCO)
Fenerbahçe SK (TUR)/FC Zimbru Chișinău (MDA)* v FC Differdange 03 (LUX)/NK Maribor (SLO)
Club Brugge KV (BEL)/AGF (DEN)* v KA (ISL)/Dundalk FC (IRL)

FC Vorskla Poltava (UKR)/FC Dila Gori (GEO) v APOEL FC (CYP)/FK Vojvodina (SRB)*
KKS Lech Poznań (POL)/FK Kauno Žalgiris (LTU)* v FK Auda (LAT)/FC Spartak Trnava (SLK)
FC CSKA 1948 Sofia (BUL)/FC FCSB (ROM)* v FC Nordsjælland (DEN)
FC Basel 1893 (SUI)/FC Tobol (KAZ)* v Derry City FC (IRL)/KuPS (FIN)
FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR)/Bohemians Praha 1905 (CZE)* v Kalmar FF (SWE)/FC Pyunik (ARM)

Ciao,
Werner

On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 9:11:56 AM UTC-4, Werner Pichler wrote:
> Draw for Europa Conference League 3rd Qualifying Round (August 10 and 17)

Sadly, no Juventus in the Conference League. This should help our domestic campaign, but I would have liked to compete in it (and maybe become the first club to have won all four major UEFA competitions)

Futbolmetrix wrote:

> On Monday, July 24, 2023 at 9:11:56 AM UTC-4, Werner Pichler wrote:
> > Draw for Europa Conference League 3rd Qualifying Round (August 10 and
> > 17)
>
> Sadly, no Juventus in the Conference League.

I bet they are crying uncontrollably at having to miss out on such an
important tournament... ;-)

Europa Conference League 2nd Qualifying Round, 1st legs
Winners go to ECLQ3

July 25

Champions Path
_ = unseeded team
Byes: Lincoln Red Imps FC (GIB) and FC Flora (EST)

Atlètic Club d'Escaldes (AND)_ v FK Partizani (ALB) 0-1 (0-0)
(Mba 53')

Atlètic's young Spanish keeper Saúl Gracia gifted Partizani's Nigerian forward
Christian Mba a goal: https://giphy.com/media/BzejBjupe4zjx5Am1k/giphy.gif
and in all likelihood so effectively killed off all Andorran hopes for a first
ever group phase.

The New Saints FC (WAL) v FC Swift Hesper (LUX) 1-1 (0-1)
(Holden 74'; Martins 14')

After a free-kick Portuguese left-back Simão Martins tapped in Paul Ayongo's cross
(the Ghanaian likewise has a past in Liga Portugal 2):
https://giphy.com/media/K7MiIAZdV3aqFlS8Td/giphy.gif
The Luxembourgers were clearly the better team, but TNS keeper Connor Roberts
saved Dominik Stolz's penalty, and Swift's French goalie Geordan Dupire probably
could have done better to keep out Rory Holden's hard but central shot:
https://giphy.com/media/4qlgA7LvcSRvlIWKxs/giphy.gif

Ħamrun Spartans FC (MLT) v FC Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO) 2-1 (0-0)
(Mbong 81', 90'+8; Marušić 60')

Following a free-kick Serbian midfielder Zoran Marušić rifled in a loose ball from
outside the box: https://giphy.com/media/R1iNuwAqZm6s6CHsIq/giphy.gif
but two late goals turned the match around - Joseph Mbong first headed in the
rebound after Dinamo keeper Loria had parried a free-kick by Ognjen Bjeličić:
https://giphy.com/media/0wcg6jRPlhFVMXikCQ/giphy.gif
and deep deep in stoppage time Mbong also volleyed in Ryan Camenzuli's cross:
https://giphy.com/media/ihFXiQt6nqe8QJUcbV/giphy.gif

Something something can't catch a break.

SP Tre Penne (SMR)_ v Valmiera FC (LAT) 0-3 (0-1)
(Mena 33', 54', Ndoye 47')

Two fine strikes by Colombian forward Camilo Mena and a header from a corner kick
by his Senegalese partner up front Alioune Ndoye destroyed all Sammarinese hopes
of an upset.

KF Ballkani (KOS) v Larne FC (NIR) 3-0 (2-0)
(Rrahmani 26' (pen), Kryeziu 33', Gripshi 67')

Albion Rrahmani converted a penalty awarded for Shaun Want (who had already scored
the decisive own goal in the CL qualifiers against HJK) going through the back of
Nazmi Gripshi, and soon after Almir Kryeziu ran onto Gripshi's through ball to
score Ballkani's second: https://giphy.com/media/xdpr7Jv40tlFBJWSKu/giphy.gif
Man of the match Gripshi got the third after the Northern Irish defence had lost
the ball to Rrahmani on the right wing.

Disappointing result for Larne, after having pushed the Finnish champions to the
brink of elimination in the previous round.

July 26

Champions Path
_ = unseeded team

FK Struga (MKD) v FK Budućnost Podgorica (MNE)_ 1-0 (1-0)
(Ibraimi 30')

The Montenegrin defence not for the first time lost a ball in a dangerous area in
front of their defence, allowing Marjan Radeski to slip a through ball to Besart
Ibraimi who had no problems beating Budućnost keeper Pavličić for the sole goal:
https://giphy.com/media/GEWHT69wsl5mwyROmH/giphy.gif

Main Path
* = seeded team

FK RFS (LAT)* v Sabah FK (AZE) 0-2 (0-1)
(Letić 22', Volkovi 56')

Successful European debut for Sabah ('tomorrow' in Azerbaijani), who were founded
in 2017 by the owner of an Azeri construction company, got promoted to the top
division the year after, and finished last season as runners-up, not far behind
Qarabağ. Sabah's Bosnian left-back Bojan Letić swept in a loose ball in the box
and Georgian striker Davit Volkovi nodded in from short range after RFS keeper
Šteinbors had parried a header by German journeyman Joy-Lance Mickels.

FC Midtjylland (DEN)* v FC Progrès Niederkorn (LUX) 2-0 (1-0)
(Dalsgaard 38', Kaba 59')

No surprises here, and that Progrès keeper Latik received a booking for time-
wasting after just twenty minutes should already tell you everything about this
match, but two goals from headers cracked the Luxembourgish defence.

FC CSKA 1948 Sofia (BUL) v FC FCSB (ROM)* 0-1 (0-1)
(Coman 28')

So there are two CSKA Sofia's in the competition https://i.imgflip.com/7tk6bw.jpg
but by UEFA law it's this one that's the new incarnation, and from what I gather
they've got a point. It's somewhat ironic that their European debut came against
a Steaua team that's no longer allowed to be called Steaua.
Florinel Coman got the only goal by volleying into the empty net after CSKA 1948
keeper Naumov had parried a shot by FCSB captain Darius Olaru:
https://giphy.com/media/x9NxYFF3RAZFEs5K2j/giphy.gif

FC Neman Grodno (BLR)* v Balzan FC (MLT) 2-0 (0-0)
(Savitski 54', Karpovich 85')

While BATE lost heavily on Cyprus in the CL qualifiers, unfancied Neman (who are
actually leading the Belarusian Vysheyshaya League at the moment), once again
playing in Gyirmót in the suburbs of Győr, got a valuable win against the Maltese
surprise team. Pavel Savitski rifled in a loose ball and late on Sergei Karpovich
punished Balzan on the break.

Fenerbahçe SK (TUR)* v FC Zimbru Chișinău (MDA) 5-0 (2-0)
(Kadıoğlu 11', Kent 14', Džeko 61', Szymański 63', King 88')

Unsurprisingly, Fener had little problem with a Zimbru side that had previously
struggled against Sammarinese opposition.
Ferdi Kadıoğlu sent a delightful looping shot into the far corner to start the
rout: https://giphy.com/media/VXmsTXVjBr6pE3h1hD/giphy.gif
Within a month and a half Edin Džeko had gone from starting in the Champions
League final to playing in a Europa Conference qualifier against Moldovans, but
Fenerbahçe's new captain did well to tee the ball up for another new arrival,
former Rangers winger Ryan Kent, to score the second:
https://giphy.com/media/WVJPPFvMUfH0K2Cx3k/giphy.gif
Džeko then tapped in Mert Hakan Yandaş's cross:
https://giphy.com/media/hmSaiWfdk1PQncDYVc/giphy.gif
and Polish midfielder Sebastian Szymański, also new in Fener's squad, ran onto
Džeko's through ball to score the fourth:
https://giphy.com/media/6FwFYtWsbGRy8G5azN/giphy.gif
Substitute Norwegian forward Joshua King added a late fifth with a deflected shot.

July 27
The matchday with the second-highest number of European games. Took a while to
wade through all this. The matchday with the most games will be next Thursday.

Champions Path

Ferencvárosi TC (HUN) v Shamrock Rovers FC (IRL) 4-0 (2-0)
(Sigér 16', Ramírez 32', Traoré 47', B. Varga 74')

As Stani Cherchesov was sacked following the loss against Klaksvík, Ferencváros
were led by interim manager Csaba Máté, and they showed a much better performance
against the Irish champions. Rovers keeper Alan Mannus made a complete mess out of
Dávid Sigér's hooked volley: https://giphy.com/media/0V3Gw2zI9t5eEXHxar/giphy.gif
former Ecuadorian international Cristian Ramírez, freshly back in Budapest after
a six-year stint in Russia, rifled in a shot from the edge of the area to make it
two; Adama Traoré headed in a Ramírez cross for the third, and Barnabás Varga
tapped into the empty net after Mannus had saved against Traoré on the break:
https://giphy.com/media/YmHk02guXGrBhu6Abv/giphy.gif

FCV Farul Constanța (ROM) v FC Urartu (ARM) 3-2 (2-2)
(Băluţă 27', Mazilu 45'+4, Larie 90'+5; Maksimenko 23', Zotko 38')

Artem Maksimenko scored the opener for the Armenians on the break, but straight
afterwards Urartu keeper Melikhov allowed Tudor Băluță's shot to go straight
through him: https://giphy.com/media/QDqN2GE1jfYDKxYixU/giphy.gif
Urartu might be one of few teams in the competition to have both Russian (like
Maksimenko and Melikhov) and Ukrainian players on the team, and Ivan Zotko, one
of the latter, gave the Armenians the lead again with a fierce free-kick that
likewise only stung the palms of Farul keeper Aioani on its way in:
https://giphy.com/media/erw7It31yj4B53aI2J/giphy.gif
17-year-old Gheorge Hagi Academy player Adrian Mazilu equalised again, with a
lovely curler: https://giphy.com/media/ZnjPNObrehmg27PjTr/giphy.gif
and at the very end of a less frantic second half Farul captain Ionuț Larie,
more than twice Mazilu's age, even got the winner with a drive into the bottom
corner of the net: https://giphy.com/media/2GyCMYhzvxAy7VfKfn/giphy.gif

Considering Farul's weakness away from home, this one is far from decided.

Main Path
* = seeded team

FC Ordabasy (KAZ) v Legia Warszawa (POL)* 2-2 (1-0)
(Sadovsky 13', Mbodj 48'; Pekhart 63', Kramer 86')

In a very open and entertaining match Vsevolod Sadovsky put the Kazakh league
leaders in front after just 12 minutes as Legia keeper Tobiasz was one step short
to keep out the Belarusian forward's lob:
https://giphy.com/media/GSeuJqsjtepU6ET4MT/giphy.gif
Ordabasy's new Senegalese centre-back Mamadou Mbodj, who's regularly popped up in
these reports in the last couple of years playing for the likes of Žalgiris or
Neftçi, headed in a corner kick to make it two, but Czech veteran Tomáš Pekhart
pulled one back by tapping in a cross from freshly signed Spanish winger Marc
Gual: https://giphy.com/media/Y72O9zUwZiuvq9KTZs/giphy.gif
Late on Blaž Kramer likewise tapped in Paweł Wszołek's centre:
https://giphy.com/media/pY5bfjYvGyuypqqh54/giphy.gif
The Slovenian forward might have been offside on that occasion, but unlike in the
Champions League qualifiers, there's no VAR here (it will only be used in the
play-offs). Right afterwards the Kazakhs also saw a rather robust penalty call
denied, which was sufficient for enraged Ordabasy fans to throw bottles and force
the game to be interrupted for a couple of minutes. In the 99th minute Legia even
missed a sitter to get the away win.

On 2023-07-30, Werner Pichler <wpichler@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> KF Ballkani (KOS) v Larne FC (NIR) 3-0 (2-0)

A rare ray of light.

> FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR)* v Bohemians Praha 1905 (CZE) 3-0 (1-0)
> (Grønbæk 44', Pellegrino 50', Espejord 90'+2)

Promising pre-season training for the Vikings.

> FC Vorskla Poltava (UKR) v FC Dila Gori (GEO)* 2-1 (0-0)

> Not the first time in these qualifiers that a Georgian team ships a last-second
> goal. Almost as if they can't catch a break or something.

They've had their share of breaks!

> KA (ISL) v Dundalk FC (IRL)* 3-1 (3-1)
> (B. Aðalsteinsson 28', Hauksson 37', 45'; Kelly 32')
>
> After Shamrock Rovers against Breiðablik, the next tough defeat for an Irish team
> on Iceland.

Ice > Ire.

> Club Brugge KV (BEL)* v AGF (DEN) 3-0 (1-0)
> (Buchanan 10', Rits 48', Vetlesen 76')
>
> I kind of expected Aarhus to put up more of a fight,

No Bisseck.

Why is it always such a shit show to get into an away section in
European matches? First the police blockade that only lets in a couple
of fans at a time. Then a ticket scan, followed by a body search. And
then a *second* ticket scan, with the scanner placed behind some bars,
so you have to reach back akwardly and can see neither the scanning
plate, nor the light that turns green after scanning.

Europa Conference League 2nd Qualifying Round, 2nd leg
Teams in CAPITALS (except RFS and AGF) through to ECLQ3
Champions Path Byes: Lincoln Red Imps FC (GIB) and FC Flora (EST)

August 1

Champions Path
_ = unseeded team

VALMIERA FC (LAT) v SP Tre Penne (SMR)_ 7-0 (4-0), 10-0 on aggregate
(Toņiševs 3', 68', Nigretti 6' (og), Veips 9', Kayramani 12', Ndoye 73',
Jaunzems 90'+3)

Not much to say here except that the Latvians appeared to have had a bit of pity
after the first twelve minutes.

But I feel that the sheer fact that real minnows like the San Marino teams still
exist is an interesting contrast to the actual progress teams from countries like
Kosovo, the Faroes, or even Andorra have undeniably made.

FC SWIFT HESPER (LUX) v The New Saints FC (WAL) 3-2 (1-1), 4-3 on aggregate
(Stolz 2', Alioui 62', Martins 66'; McManus 22' (pen), 71' (pen))

It appeared as if TNS keeper Connor Roberts would easily be first to a wayward
long back pass, but he dithered, allowing Dominik Stolz to instead push the ball
through his legs. Even though TNS subsequently hit the woodwork twice the
Luxembourgers were clearly superior, and added two more through two new arrivals -
former Moroccan international Rachid Alioui tapped in from close range and
Portuguese centre-back Simão Martins, freshly signed from Trofense in Liga
Portugal 2, punished some more bad defending. But penalties are also quite
evidently Swift's thing, as in their four European matches so far they've been
awarded three of them (missed two) and conceded four (all scored). So they
had to suffer until the final minute when Hesper keeper Dupire kept out Danny
Davies's shot.

Quite the blow for the Cymru Premier, who will remain in the bottom 5, lose a
European entry and will have to wait at least one more year, possibly longer, for
a first ever group phase.

FK PARTIZANI (ALB) v Atlètic Club d'Escaldes (AND)_ 4-1 (2-0), 5-1 on aggregate
(Cara 28', 45'+1, Rrapaj 64', Grezda 90'+5; Lopez 90'+4 (pen))

Too easy, as evidenced by Tedi Cara's second goal:
https://giphy.com/media/WB6cDLHyMq31GQPzAm/giphy.gif

FK Budućnost Podgorica (MNE)_ v FK STRUGA (MKD) 3-4 (2-2), 3-5 on aggregate
(Đuričković 7', Adžić 45'+9, Sekulović 82'; Radeski 11', 45'+3, 74', Ibraimi 66')

Both sides exchanged early goals from corner kicks, and both sides scored in
stoppage time of the first half - Marjan Radeski rolled in Nigerian youngster
Hogan Ukpa's assist on the break:
https://giphy.com/media/XUjJNb8RLQUMjX1iI4/giphy.gif
while Vladan Adžić saw his free-kick deflected in:
https://giphy.com/media/HTy1KiOa26QwxL72Z7/giphy.gif
Besart Ibraimi's solo run and drive decided the tie for good, followed by Radeski
completing his hat trick by volleying in the rebound off a deflected shot. Petar
Sekulović's turn-and-shot came too late.

Main Path
* = seeded team

Balzan FC (MLT) v FC NEMAN GRODNO (BLR)* 0-0 (0-0), 0-2 on aggregate

Only one shot on target for Balzan was not good enough.

FC Zimbru Chișinău (MDA) v FENERBAHÇE SK (TUR)* 0-4 (0-0), 0-9 on aggregate
(Tadić 49', Batshuayi 57', 59', Yüksek 77')

After a boring first half the floodgates opened in the second. Thanks to a helpful
deflection Dušan Tadić got the first goal for his new club from the shortest of
ranges: https://giphy.com/media/zisV9pbrTATNUsKXaS/giphy.gif
Michi Batshuayi scored twice from tap-ins, and İsmail Yüksek scored a pretty
brilliant fourth with a long-distance drive:
https://giphy.com/media/h0xmDXQPddkw00dMea/giphy.gif

August 2

Main Path
* = seeded team

AEK LARNACA FC (CYP)* v FC Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino (BLR) 1-1 (0-0), 4-3 on aggregate
(Pons 90'+6; Gorbachik 90'+8)

At the end of a poor match came two headers in stoppage time - former Alavés
midfielder Pere Pons nodded in Ivan Tričkovski's looping cross:
https://giphy.com/media/rpYYRnKL6m7Tto0LRl/giphy.gif
and Valeri Gorbachik did the same from Dmitry Lisakovich's cross:
https://giphy.com/media/sAti3SqMJgoPsLGZTh/giphy.gif

The first European match this year that a Cypriot team didn't win.

F91 Diddeleng (LUX)* v GŻIRA UNITED FC (MLT) 2-1 (1-0), 2-3 on aggregate
(Hadji 38', 84'; Wilkson 87')

Düdelingen were all over the Maltese from the start, and deservedly took the lead
when a free-kick by Moroccan striker Samir Hadji (some might remember his father
Mustapha's goal against Norway at the 1998 World Cup) went straight through the
poorly built Gżira wall. It was also Hadji who levelled the overall score when he
headed in Ivan Englaro's cross, but Gżira are a cat with nine lives in Europe, and
one quick break ended with Brazilian in the Mediterranean Jose Wilkson heading in
from close range.

The second year in a row that Gżira reach the third round of the Europa Conference
League qualifiers. Quite impressive for a team of their stature.

August 3
45 matches. Phew.

Champions Path

FC Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO) v ĦAMRUN SPARTANS FC (MLT) 0-1 (0-1), 1-3 on aggregate
(Đuranović 45'+2; Red Cards: Chiabrishvili (Din, manager) 45'+1;
Đuranović (Ħam) 46')

Genk winger Joseph's older brother Seth Paintsil, who had just moved to Malta
following lengthy spells first with Jaro and then in the lower reaches of the
Austrian Bundesliga, provided the cross that Montengrin forward Uroš Đuranović
gathered to fire in: https://giphy.com/media/L30p0uAhsMPhC9oQ9R/giphy.gif
The Georgians never got anything going, not even with one half in numerical
advantage.

For a team that once was one of the strongest in the former Soviet Union, and have
a Cup Winners' Cup in their trophy cabinet to show for it, Dinamo's European
results in recent years have really been a bit tragic.

FC Urartu (ARM) v FCV FARUL CONSTANȚA (ROM) 2-3 (1-0), 4-6 on aggregate
(Antwi 11', Sabua 47'; Nedelcu 53', Alibec 57', 90'+2)

Things looked really bad for the Romanian champioms after Urartu's Ghanaian
right-back Nana Antwi had been given all the time in the world to measure a shot
past Farul keeper Aioani: https://giphy.com/media/vXXzo6LdleItQQtay0/giphy.gif
and Leon Sabua had tapped in the rebound after Aioani had saved against Sabua's
fellow Russian Artem Maksimenko:
https://giphy.com/media/VJSHB4LE0YhZuNUIxw/giphy.gif
but Farul replied immediately - Dragoș Nedelcu tapped in a corner kick, and
veteran forward Denis Alibec (two matches for Inter's senior team, back in the
day) was sent clear by youngster Mazilu's clever flick:
https://giphy.com/media/aQyEAO2gt97oJ1WAgs/giphy.gif
Subsequently the match was on the edge for the longest time until Alibec finished
off a counter attack at the death.

Larne FC (NIR) v KF BALLKANI (KOS) 1-4 (0-2), 1-6 on aggregate
(Bonis 60' (pen); Gripshi 27', 36', Rrahmani 46', Kryeziu 66')

The Kosovar champions dominated in Northern Ireland as well, Nazmi Gripshi, Albion
Rrahmani and Almir Kryeziu connecting with each other just as in the first leg.

Shamrock Rovers FC (IRL) v FERENCVÁROSI TC (HUN) 0-2 (0-1), 0-7 on aggregate
(Zachariassen 31', Mmaee 90')

One Mmaee brother, Ryan, has just left Ferencváros for the Championship and
Stoke City, but the other one, Samy, is still playing in Budapest, and he got a
late second goal as the Hungarians followed up last week's rout with another easy
win in Ireland.

Main Path
* = seeded team

FC TOBOL (KAZ) v FC Basel 1893 (SUI)* 1-2 (1-2), 4-3 on aggregate
(Déblé 43' (pen); Kade 26', Augustin 32' (pen))

As the whole tie has been nothing but a big mess for last year's semifinalists,
Basel's departure for Kazakhstan was delayed by over a day due to a broken cockpit
window on their chartered plane - they arrived in Kostanay less than twelve hours
before the match, and due to injuries, illnesses, and impending transfers with a
severely depleted squad.
Still, there was a certain consensus among many observers that a comparative
European juggernaut like Basel would find a way to squeeze through regardless, and
those views were quickly vindicated as German under-19 international Anton Kade
capped off his solo run with a perfect shot into the far corner:
https://giphy.com/media/mkdWRE8wcnazrkaiUR/giphy.gif
and soon afterwards a completely unnecessary push from behind by Tobol right-back
Bagdat Kairov on Liam Millar led to a somewhat soft penalty, despatched by former
Leipzig striker Jean-Kévin Augustin to level the aggregate score.
But the Serbian referee threw a spanner in the Swiss works when he apparently felt
he had to make amends for his earlier call, because he awarded Tobol an extremely
harsh handball penalty after Basel keeper Salvi had pushed Miljan Vukadinović's
shot against the arm of his own defender Finn van Breemen.
Nevertheless, 45 minutes were still left to overcome the one-goal deficit, but
Basel were completely devoid of ideas in the second half, and Tobol with
surprising ease held on to the result that let them reach the third Conference
League qualifying round for the second year in a row.

FC SANTA COLOMA (AND) v FK Sutjeska (MNE)* 3-0 aet (1-0, 2-0), 3-2 on aggregate
(Mourelo 35', Nierga 71', Garrido 96')

Draw for Europa Conference League Play-Off (August 24 and 31)
* = seeded team
Winners go to ECL group phase

Champions Path

KF Ballkani (KOS)/Lincoln Red Imps FC (GIB) v FC Sheriff (MDA)/FC BATE Borisov (BLR)*
FK Žalgiris (LTU)/BK Häcken (SWE)* v Ħamrun Spartans FC (MLT)/Ferencvárosi TC (HUN)

FK Struga (MKD)/FC Swift Hesper (LUX) v HŠK Zrinjski Mostar (BIH)/Breiðablik (ISL)*
FCV Farul Constanța (ROM)/FC Flora (EST) v Qarabağ FK (AZE)/HJK (FIN)*
FC Astana (KAZ)/PFC Ludogorets 1945 (BUL)* v Valmiera FC (LAT)/FK Partizani (ALB)

Main Path

Hapoel Be'er Sheva FC (ISR)/PFC Levski Sofia (BUL) v Eintracht Frankfurt (GER)*
ACS Sepsi OSK Sfântu Gheorghe (ROM)/FC Aktobe (KAZ) v FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR)/FC Pyunik (ARM)*
AC Omonoia (CYP)/FC Midtjylland (DEN)* v Legia Warszawa (POL)/FK Austria Wien (AUT)
Fenerbahçe SK (TUR)/NK Maribor (SLO)* v FC Twente (NED)/Riga FC (LAT)

FC Dila Gori (GEO)/APOEL FC (CYP) v KAA Gent (BEL)/MKS Pogoń Szczecin (POL)*
FC Tobol (KAZ)/Derry City FC (IRL) v FC Viktoria Plzeň (CZE)/Gżira United FC (MLT)*
Lille OSC (FRA)* v B36 (FAR)/HNK Rijeka (CRO)
Aris FC (GRE)/FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)* v Beşiktaş JK (TUR)/Neftçi PFK (AZE)

KKS Lech Poznań (POL)/FC Spartak Trnava (SLK) v SK Slavia Praha (CZE)/SC Dnipro-1 (UKR)*
Hibernian FC (SCO)/FC Luzern (SUI) v Aston Villa FC (ENG)*
Olympiacos FC (GRE)/KRC Genk (BEL)* v Adana Demirspor (TUR)/NK Osijek (CRO)
FC Santa Coloma (AND)/AZ (NED)* v FC Arouca (POR)/SK Brann (NOR)

SK Rapid Wien (AUT)/Debreceni VSC (HUN) v ACF Fiorentina (ITA)*
Rosenborg BK (NOR)/Heart of Midlothian FC (SCO) v HNK Hajduk Split (CRO)/PAOK FC (GRE)*
FC FCSB (ROM)/FC Nordsjælland (DEN) v Sabah FK (AZE)/FK Partizan (SRB)*
CA Osasuna (ESP) v Club Brugge KV (BEL)/KA (ISL)*
AEK Larnaca FC (CYP)/Maccabi Tel Aviv FC (ISR)* v NK Celje (SLO)/FC Neman Grodno (BLR)

In case you missed it, Osasuna were reinstated into the competition after a
successful appeal at CAS. Fiorentina have taken Juve's place.

Ciao,
Werner

Europa Conference League 3rd Qualifying Round, 1st leg

To wrap this up before the return legs start.

August 9

Main Path
* = seeded team

AEK Larnaca FC (CYP) v Maccabi Tel Aviv FC (ISR)* 1-1 (0-0)
(Faraj 80'; Cohen 64')

I had overlooked the fact that the Israeli have appointed Robbie Keane as their
new manager going into this season. Interesting choice, it's his first job as a
head coach.

Anyway, the Irish legend's side were the better team from the start and deservedly
went in front when Yonatan Cohen cut inside and sent a shot flying past AEK's
Bosnian keeper Pirić into the far side of the net, but Frenchman Imad Faraj
outwitted Maccabi's defence for the late equaliser:
https://giphy.com/media/fPWa0bL7bEJgDc6TOI/giphy.gif
and four minutes from the end the Cypriots could even have won it as they were
awarded a penalty for Nir Bitton's foul on Ádám Gyurcsó, but AEK's longest-serving
player Ivan Tričkovski saw his spot kick saved by Maccabi keeper Daniel Peretz.

KAA Gent (BEL)* v MKS Pogoń Szczecin (POL) 5-0 (4-0)
(Orban 13', 35', 64', Cuypers 40', 45'+1)

Pogoń's young reserve keeper Bartosz Klebaniuk had a nightmare game - he first let
go of Julien De Sart's shot allowing Gift Orban to tap in the rebound, then
hesitated a second too long on occasion of Sven Kums's high ball into the box,
allowing Orban to nod the ball over him, and Gent's third was the worst - a long
sequence of bad back passes by the Polish defence ended with Klebaniuk losing the
ball at the edge of his area, and Hugo Cuypers said thank you with a simple finish
into the gaping net: https://i.imgflip.com/7v96fx.gif
Cuypers soon added another following another lost ball by the Pogoń defence, and
in the second half Orban completed his hat trick with an angled shot from close
range that went straight through Klebaniuk.

An interesting Opta stat - following their 5-1 and 5-2 wins over Žilina Gent have
now become only the seventh team in the history of European Cups to score five
goals in three consecutive matches. The last previous team to manage that feat had
been Porto in the 2010-11 Europa League (when they went on to win it with an
irresistible Radamel Falcao up top).

August 10

Champions Path
(no seeding)

FK Struga (MKD) v FC Swift Hesper (LUX) 3-1 (2-0)
(Ibraimi 23', 40' (pen), 77' (pen); Stolz 46')

With the Biljanin Izvori stadium in Ohrid no longer adequate, Struga had to play
this match in the usual much more cheerless venue for Northern Macedonian teams in
European qualifiers, the Football Federation's training centre in Skopje. The
dreary surroundings apparently also affected Swift keeper Youn Czekanowicz,
because he completely misjudged a harmless long ball by Marjan Radeski allowing
Besart Ibraimi to tap into the empty net:
https://giphy.com/media/uwt7aMXvtl34vDvoTj/giphy.gif
Despite Dominik Stolz pulling one back right after the re-start, what made things
worse for the Luxembourgers was that they managed to concede the fifth and the
sixth penalty against of their European campaign so far (in five matches).

Crucial win for North Macedonia, who overtake Andorra in the UEFA ranking by 0.002
points and are now favourites to escape the Bottom Five.

Valmiera FC (LAT) v FK Partizani (ALB) 1-2 (1-0)
(Gustavo 27'; Cara 58', Rrapaj 78')

Brazilian in the East Gustavo Silva Souza, who had come to Latvia from
Internacional's youth system, measured a great shot into the top corner to give
Valmiera the lead, but Tedi Cara fired in a deserved equaliser after Roberts Veips
had slipped when trying to clear a cross, and thanks to Arinaldo Rrapaj's
unluckily deflected shot from distance the Albanian champions even got the winner.

Ħamrun Spartans FC (MLT) v Ferencvárosi TC (HUN) 1-6 (0-1)
(Montebello 89'; Abu Fani 3', Zachariassen 51', B. Varga 53', 56', 65', Owusu 90')

The first half was not yet that one-sided even though Ferencváros still took the
lead through an excellent long-distance drive by their Israeli midfielder Mohammad
Abu Fani, but the Maltese champions were overwhelmed after the break by three
goals in five minutes, with Barnabás Varga, who at 28 has now made it to Hungary's
top club and into the national team after having started out with several seasons
spent in the Austrian fourth division, getting a hat trick. Luke Montebello at
least hammered in a nice consolation goal from the edge of the area.

So no group stage for Malta this year either.

FCV Farul Constanța (ROM) v FC Flora (EST) 3-0 (0-0)
(Alibec 48', Budescu 80', Queirós 90'+5)

Denis Alibec capped off a quick break with a solo run and precise shot from the
edge of the area into the bottom far corner of the net. Two late goals all but
decided the tie - following a dreadful lost ball in defence Alibec's shot came off
the post leaving Constantin Budescu with an empty-net finish:
https://giphy.com/media/6mwDuTCtPvvA3XJ47d/giphy.gif
and in stoppage time Rivaldo's son Rivaldinho (by now in his seventh season in
Romania, Bulgaria, and Poland) flicked on Alibec's corner kick for former
Portuguese under-21 international Diogo Queirós to head in at the far post:
https://giphy.com/media/QpFU2hH7T8yi2M1xhF/giphy.gif

KF Ballkani (KOS) v Lincoln Red Imps FC (GIB) 2-0 (0-0)
(Korenica 59', Trashi 62')

The Imps's chances to reach their second European group phase all but evaporated
inside three minutes when Meriton Korenica first was completely forgotten by the
Gibraltarian defence: https://giphy.com/media/Ghbt0ErJfrzlfE0Y2T/giphy.gif and
subsequently Albanian international Lorenc Trashi volleyed in a corner kick:
https://giphy.com/media/SwXer1veueNi4iYeMS/giphy.gif

Main Path
* = seeded team

FC Tobol (KAZ)* v Derry City FC (IRL) 1-0 (0-0)
(Asrankulov 65')

This tie is a huge opportunity for both teams to reach a European play-off for the
very first time. Tobol were the dominant team from the start but struggled in the
final third until left-back Roman Asrankulov unleashed a great strike from the
corner of the area that left Derry keeper Maher no chance:
https://giphy.com/media/qLCxPIs9IrVNFXm9sj/giphy.gif
while Derry missed their biggest chance to equalise when Tobol keeper Konovalov's
miscued throw-out landed straight at the feet of Will Patching, but subsequently
Michael Duffy alone in on goal sent his shot wide.

BTW Derry City - famously based in Northern Ireland but playing in the ROI League
of Ireland since 1985 - have asked UEFA whether they could stage the return leg at
Windsor Park in Belfast, but as UEFA regulations stipulate that any alternative
venue must be located 'within the territory of its association' they will have to
play in Dublin's Tallaght Stadium instead. Seems like a bit of a lost opportunity
to re-integrate Derry into the Northern Irish football world if you ask me.

Sabah FK (AZE) v FK Partizan (SRB)* 2-0 (0-0)
(Letić 70', İsayev 74')

Surprisingly dominant performance by the Azeri - Aleksey İsayev had seen a penalty
saved by Partizan keeper Jovanović, but from the ensuing corner kick the ball came
to Bojan Letić outside the area, and Sabah's Bosnian left-back unleashed a perfect
volley into the top corner: https://giphy.com/media/1fRso23N6fURUuZ2vO/giphy.gif
A couple of minutes later İsayev got the slightest of touches on Letić's insidious
inswinging cross to make it two:
https://giphy.com/media/2CQP2AEKeKgNRv3f19/giphy.gif

Losing Partizan already at this stage would be quite the blow for the Serbian
coefficient.

FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR)* v FC Pyunik (ARM) 3-0 (2-0)
(Grønbæk 6', Moumbagna 31', Pellegrino 56')

Bodø at home are a force to be reckoned with, and they left the Armenians little
chance. The young Dane Albert Grønbæk twisted and turned his way through the box
to open the scoring: https://giphy.com/media/UcVyxHfYuj2gEKb2HY/giphy.gif
Cameroonian forward Faris Pemi Moumbagna tapped in Amahl Pellegrino's centre, and
Pellegrino likewise swept in a low cross by Tobias Gulliksen.

ACS Sepsi OSK Sfântu Gheorghe (ROM)* v FC Aktobe (KAZ) 1-1 (0-0)
(Varga 89'; Santana 65')

Brazilian in the East Élder Santana headed in Maksim Samorodov's corner kick to
give Aktobe the surprise lead, but a late volley by the Hungarian substitute
Roland Varga was deflected in for a somewhat lucky equaliser:
https://giphy.com/media/qF57sbvPUAysBuVarD/giphy.gif

FC Santa Coloma (AND) v AZ (NED)* 0-1 (0-0)
(Mihailovic 75')

The Andorran underdogs held on for the longest time, until Yukinari Sugawara's
free-kick from the left side was headed in by US international Djordje Mihailovic,
which would remain AZ's only shot on target in the entire match.

Neftçi PFK (AZE) v Beşiktaş JK (TUR)* 1-3 (0-2)
(Lebon 79'; Aboubakar 14', Muleka 23', Uçan 62')

In the previous round I had wondered about two European ties taking place on the
same evening in Belfast, but this time around there were even three European
matches being played simultaneously in Baku - Qarabağ hosted HJK in the Tofiq
Bahramov Republican Stadium, Sabah played Partizan in the Alinja Arena, while this
one took place in the Neftçi Arena, with all three stadiums located within a ten-
kilometre radius.

Europa Conference League 3rd Qualifying Round, 2nd leg
Teams in CAPITALS (except FCSB, KA and B36) through to ECLPO

August 16

FC Flora (EST) v FCV FARUL CONSTANȚA (ROM) 0-2 (0-2), 0-5 on aggregate
(Rivaldinho 4', Budescu 18')

Rivaldo's son bungled Tudor Băluță's miscued shot over the line at the far post,
and with the outside of his foot Constantin Budescu scored a brilliant second from
the edge of the area. Flora had numerous chances to score, but proved to be
particularly inept in front of the Farul net, and so Estonia finish a disastrous
European season with one draw and nine defeats in ten matches. That's worse than
even San Marino.

August 17

Champions Path
(no seeding)

Lincoln Red Imps FC (GIB) v KF BALLKANI (KOS) 1-3 (0-0), 1-5 on aggregate
(Juampe 66'; Korenica 48', Kuč 64', Zyba 90'+8)

Meriton Korenica dashed Gibraltarian hopes with a fine shot from the edge of the
area, even though Imps keeper Coleing could at least have tried to save it:
https://giphy.com/media/L48xcYshcV6pHXpYOM/giphy.gif
Ballkani's Montenegrin captain Edvin Kuč had acres of space in the box to fire in
the second, and while 39-year-old Spanish veteran Juampe got the Imps a
consolation goal, following a corner kick Qëndrim Zyba tapped in Ballkani's third
in stoppage time.

The last Gibraltarian team is eliminated. With just one draw out of eight matches
that was their worst European season in quite a while.

FERENCVÁROSI TC (HUN) v Ħamrun Spartans FC (MLT) 2-1 (1-1), 8-2 on aggregate
(Traoré 41', Varga 69'; Mbong 6')

The tie had already been decided after the first leg, but the Maltese champions at
least managed to take the early lead through Joseph Mbong's header. Still, Adama
Traoré nodded in the equaliser and Barnabás Varga back-heeled in yet another
cross for the winner, so no coefficient points for Malta after all.

FK PARTIZANI (ALB) v Valmiera FC (LAT) 1-0 (1-0), 3-1 on aggregate
(Cara 21' (pen))

Partizani were awarded one of those penalties where a player manages to stick a
leg in between a defender who's trying to clear and the ball, and apart from
Valmiera hitting the woodwork once late on, the Albanians held on to the result
with comparable ease.

FC Swift Hesper (LUX) v FK STRUGA (MKD) 2-1 (0-1), 3-4 on aggregate
(Hemkemeier 70', Akhalaia 90'+4; Ibraimi 17'; Red Cards: Radeski (Str) 15',
Nouvier (Swi) 90'+11)

Even though Marjan Radeski was sent off already early on for a retaliatory kick
against Simão Martins, the North Macedonian champions with their only effort on
target of the entire match took the lead when Besart Ibraimi headed in Vangjel
Zguro's cross: https://giphy.com/media/ULUsAE9DuX3ozCTgUk/giphy.gif
Swift finally got the equaliser thanks to a grass-cutter by their Brazilian
substitute Gustavo Hemkemeier:
https://giphy.com/media/hB9EH6HwNvz1Zx516u/giphy.gif
and in the 94th minute young Moldovan striker Lado Akhalaia headed in a corner
kick, so the remaining minutes of stoppage time were predictably hectic, but the
only thing that happened was Bryan Nouvier collecting a second yellow.

Main Path
* = seeded team

FC Aktobe (KAZ) v ACS SEPSI OSK SFÂNTU GHEORGHE (ROM)* 0-1 (0-0), 1-2 on aggregate
(Păun 66')

A game of few chances was decided for the Hungarian Romanians when Nicolae Păun
headed in Marius Ștefănescu's corner kick.

MKS Pogoń Szczecin (POL) v KAA GENT (BEL)* 2-1 (0-0), 2-6 on aggregate
(Koulouris 79', 86'; Cuypers 90'+5)

The Belgians' streak of five goals scored in Europe ended as Pogoń bowed out with
dignity, although their first goal was a gift by Genk keeper Roef:
https://giphy.com/media/9fTL0ZEzZmvNob2Dmc/giphy.gif

FC Pyunik (ARM) v FK BODØ/GLIMT (NOR)* 0-3 (0-1), 0-6 on aggregate
(Pellegrino 43' (pen), Berg 49', Gulliksen 54')

Easy win for Bodø in Yerevan as well, thanks to a penalty and two shots from
distance.

All four Armenian teams have been eliminated, but points-wise it's still been an
average European season for them.

MACCABI TEL AVIV FC (ISR)* v AEK Larnaca FC (CYP) 1-0 (0-0), 2-1 on aggregate
(Zahavi 86' (pen))

Things had gone swimmingly well for the Cypriot teams up to this point, but AEK
were the first ones to fall as at the end of a very close game one rash tackle by
Ángel García against Maccabi's Angolan substitute Felício Milson led to a penalty
that was expertly despatched by who else but Eran Zahavi.

FC DYNAMO KYIV (UKR)* v Aris FC (GRE) 2-1 aet (1-1, 2-1), 2-2 on aggregate, Dynamo win 6-5 on penalties
(Voloshyn 45', Karavaev 85'; Đurasek 39'; Red Card: Pavičić (Ari) 106')

The Ukrainians played this in Rapid Bucharest's Superbet Arena. Aris's newly
signed Croatian midfielder Neven Đurasek volleyed in Luis Palma's cross to give
the Greeks a two-goal aggregate lead:
https://giphy.com/media/En0rQUYo6g2ImA8dnN/giphy.gif
but Dynamo managed to get the important equaliser before the break through
youngster Nazar Voloshyn who met Serhiy Sydorchuk's long ball over the top with a
well-placed header: https://giphy.com/media/CCFgNLQcOw54Z3qJtB/giphy.gif
Another long and high ball that eluded the Greek defence allowed Oleksandr
Karavayev to volley in at the far post:
https://giphy.com/media/vB5TkSfOjWtx6nzAff/giphy.gif
and so the match went to extra time, where Aris's Croatian substitute Domagoj
Pavičić saw a second yellow, and finally to penalties where Moses Odubaju skied
the decisive spot kick. Has nobody told the Greeks that it's a bad idea to let an
Englishman take one of these?

FK Austria Wien (AUT) v LEGIA WARSZAWA (POL)* 3-5 (0-2), 5-6 on aggregate
(Gruber 69', 83', Ranftl 90'+7; Juergen 39', Gual 45'+1, Pekhart 59', Rosołek 87',
Muçi 90'+10; Red Card: Jukić (Aus) 89')

Now that was painful to watch. Despite their home defeat Legia had taken the
aggregate lead against a strangely listless Austria side already in the first half
after their Colombian midfielder Juergen Elitim had rifled in a loose ball and new
Spanish forward Marc Gual had headed in Bartosz Slisz's cross at the far post:
https://giphy.com/media/A0VtEWBYVVVNOFdBtf/giphy.gif
Things didn't look better early in the second half either, and the Czech veteran
Tomáš Pekhart finished off another easy move with another tap-in:
https://giphy.com/media/VPg6SijS1y1Xb2eu6k/giphy.gif
But as bad as Austria are at defending, in attack they are actually quite decent,
and Andi Gruber scored with a lovely shot into the top corner to make it a one-
goal game: https://giphy.com/media/kJDDcd1EIwTQ60aqmk/giphy.gif
The match felt very different at this point with Austria suddenly pushing, and
seven minutes from time Gruber also collected Dominik Fitz's weighted ball over
the top to level the aggregate score:
https://giphy.com/media/IfJ4tS9v34MAKGZyVr/giphy.gif
Now a clever team that knows how to defend would have shut up shop at this point,
but as Austria are neither a clever team nor know how to defend they conceded just
minutes later when they allowed the substitute Maciej Rosołek to sweep in Paweł
Wszołek's feed: https://giphy.com/media/mErI3JtVomv6aEy8VK/giphy.gif
Aleksander Jukić then did his team a further disservice when he got suckered into
a retaliatory headbutt against Slisz, but ten-man Austria miraculously still
managed to once more get the aggregate equaliser as in the seventh minute of
stoppage time Reinhold Ranftl slid in to turn in Johannes Handl's cross:
https://giphy.com/media/kJZi11S3uXiLUFxNMx/giphy.gif
Now a CLEVER TEAM that KNOWS HOW TO DEFEND would have SHUT UP SHOP, but in the
101st minute this happened instead:
https://giphy.com/media/RyqmWpRXZbRfY9DVT3/giphy.gif

BTW I've come completely around regarding the abolishment of the Away Goal Rule.
It's a good thing. There have already been many examples of matches like this
one which wouldn't have been possible if AGR were still in force - the tie would
have effectively been over at 0-3, and the remaining minutes a slog.

PFC LEVSKI SOFIA (BUL) v Hapoel Be'er Sheva FC (ISR)* 2-1 (1-0), 2-1 on aggregate
(Welton Felipe 15', Ronaldo 90'+6; Stoyanov 79')

Brazilian in the East Welton Felipe stole in at the far post to head in Patrik-
Gabriel Galchev's cross: https://giphy.com/media/BaGESYtSEMWHzrrO49/giphy.gif
A Bulgarian equalised for Be'er Sheva when Yoni Stoyanov volleyed in from the edge
of the D after the ball had fallen to him from a corner kick, but in the last
minute of stoppage time a shot by the young Spanish-Moroccan substitute Jawad El
Jemili was blocked in the box, and former Bahia forward Ronaldo rifled in the
loose ball: https://giphy.com/media/CWRjPkTRZfvgYURicP/giphy.gif

A rare, and much-needed success for Bulgarian club football. Eintracht Frankfurt
next.

Gżira United FC (MLT) v FC VIKTORIA PLZEŇ (CZE)* 0-2 (0-0), 0-6 on aggregate
(Traoré 47', Vlkanova 70')

Viktoria's Colombian left-back Jhon Mosquera headed a cross back across goal for
Ivorian midfielder Ibrahim Traoré to volley in, and Adam Vlkanova fired an angled
shot from the edge of the box past Gżira keeper Cassar:
https://giphy.com/media/pOkZB9q6ruom4BCcej/giphy.gif
as the last remaining Maltese team bowed out without getting another coefficient
point. It's been an average European season for them.

Europa Conference League Play-Off, 1st leg
* = seeded team

August 23

Main Path

FC Spartak Trnava (SLK) v SC Dnipro-1 (UKR)* 1-1 (0-0)
(Ofori 55'; Pikhalonok 67' (pen); Red Cards: Sarapii (Dni) 5', Kohut (Dni) 89')

VAR made its Conference League debut in this round, and started by dishing out a
red card to Dnipro-1 centre-back Eduard Sarapiy for a last-man foul after just
five minutes. Spartak struggled very much against ten Ukrainians though, and
they only managed to take the lead thanks to a major stroke of luck when Kelvin
Ofori's cross attempt was deflected onto the underside of the crossbar, and in:
https://giphy.com/media/8IukoLrYjk8z36MBl6/giphy.gif
But just as the Slovakians were pushing for a second, one mistake undid all their
efforts, as an imprecise back pass led to Sebastian Kóša taking down Oleksiy
Hutsulyak in the box, and Oleksandr Pikhalonok equalised from the spot. Spartak
continued to waste their opportunities, once hitting the bar, and late on
Dnipro-1 were even reduced to nine (so they were Dnipro minus two? *cricket*), as
Ihor Kohut was sent off with a very controversial second yellow (no VAR checks for
those), but the Ukrainians still managed to escape from Trnava with the away draw.

Hibernian FC (SCO) v Aston Villa FC (ENG)* 0-5 (0-3)
(Watkins 17', 33', 48', Bailey 42', Douglas Luiz 74' (pen))

Aston Villa's return to Europe after thirteen years (back then they suffered
back-to-back eliminations against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League play-offs,
good memories) went about as expected. Two headers by Ollie Watkins and one by
Leon Bailey gave Villa the unassailable first-half lead, Watkins got his hat trick
(and Lucas Digne his hat trick of assists) by sweeping in yet another cross, and
Douglas Luiz finished the rout from the spot after Bertrand Traoré had been
tripped by Lewis Stevenson in the box.

This result equalled the record for biggest win in Aston Villa's European history
(previously 5-0 against Valur in the 1981-82 European Cup when they went on to win
it, and 5-0 against Vitória Guimarães in the UEFA Cup the year after).

August 24

Champions Path

FC Astana (KAZ)* v FK Partizani (ALB) 1-0 (1-0)
(Lončar 41')

The sole goal of the match came when Ferencváros loanee Stjepan Lončar was
quickest to react to a loose ball and his turn-and-shot was deflected past
Partizani keeper Qirko: https://giphy.com/media/XvnkFKPCevqoePS9JG/giphy.gif

FK Struga (MKD) v Breiðablik (ISL)* 0-1 (0-1)
(Gunnlaugsson 35'; Red Card: Zguro (Str) 90'+2)

Struga emulated the Cypriot tradition to play these as early as possible in the
afternoon heat, but to little avail as Breiðablik's captain Höskuldur Gunnlaugsson
powered into the box and sent a sumptuous shot past Struga keeper Kjosevski:
https://giphy.com/media/YymBgMXAswwAHojLZK/giphy.gif
In stoppage time Struga's Albanian midfielder Vangjel Zgjuro saw a second yellow.

The door is wide open for an Icelandic team to reach a first ever group stage
(North Macedonia have been represented by Vardar in the 2017-18 Europa League).

FK Žalgiris (LTU)* v Ferencvárosi TC (HUN) 0-4 (0-1)
(Traoré 17', 84', Varga 65' (pen), Pešić 75'; Red Card: Gorobsov (Žal) 63')

An awesome shot by Adama Traoré gave Fradi the early lead:
https://giphy.com/media/Njx1BeQzMNWHXqkjd6/giphy.gif
but as long as they were still in eleven the Lithuanians were able to keep the
score close. They fell apart though after their Argentine midfielder Nicolás
Gorobsov had been sent off for a last-man foul on the Brazilian Marquinhos, and
Barnabás Varga had converted from the spot. The Serbian substitute Aleksandar
Pešić in his debut match for the Hungarian champions made it three on the break,
and Traoré got his second of the match from Tokmac Nguen's delightful back-heel:
https://giphy.com/media/vP9R23kYlO8fWnvBDK/giphy.gif

The second time in three years that Žalgiris are facing a triple elimination from
Europe (CL->EL->ECL).

FCV Farul Constanța (ROM) v HJK (FIN)* 2-1 (0-0)
(Rivaldinho 58', Popescu 82'; Toivio 50')

Joonas Toivio deflected in Tuomas Ollila's corner kick to give HJK the lead, but
Rivaldo's son ran onto Constantin Budescu's through ball to slot past Helsinki's
veteran keeper Niki Mäenpää for the equaliser, and late on Mihai Popescu stole in
at the far post to volley in Budescu's cross:
https://giphy.com/media/vYlvQ71luvaC2tijhH/giphy.gif

KF Ballkani (KOS) v FC BATE Borisov (BLR)* 4-1 (1-1)
(Jashanica 31', Tolaj 58', 66', Thaqi 89'; Laptev 10')

BATE took the early lead thanks to Denis Laptev's acrobatics:
https://giphy.com/media/RXq0BhvsHB1NNJEGl1/giphy.gif
but the Kosovar champions equalised when centre-back Bajram Jashanica headed in
Lorenc Trashi's corner kick, and in the second half they continued to dominate -
Bleart Tolaj nodded in Armend Thaqi's free-kick, later volleyed in a loose ball,
and a minute from time Thaqi's cross curled past everyone on its way to the net:
https://giphy.com/media/xup77AdSocGgM6PMhQ/giphy.gif

From next season Belarus will fight against Gibraltar and Andorra about who will
be second from last in the UEFA ranking.

Main Path

FC Tobol (KAZ) v FC Viktoria Plzeň (CZE)* 1-2 (0-0)
(Déblé 90'+8 (pen); Cadu 73', Kalvach 90')

The usual away game in Kazakhstan, where the favourites struggled for quite a bit
until Tomáš Chorý nodded on Jan Kopic's cross and the Brazilian Cadu dove in at
the far post to head the ball over the line:
https://giphy.com/media/dmOLWscItv3L6Brrfp/giphy.gif
Late on Adam Vlkanova found Lukáš Kalvach with a delightful chip to make it two:
https://giphy.com/media/Mn9BZIDN49ZWgcFnbR/giphy.gif
but Tobol (incidentally the only team that has survived all the way from the First
Conference League qualifying round) were handed a lifeline when in the seventh
minute of stoppage time they were awarded a handball penalty that Serges Déblé
hammered into teh top corner.

FC Nordsjælland (DEN) v FK Partizan (SRB)* 5-0 (2-0)
(Frese 11', Ingvartsen 43' (pen), 68' (pen), Villadsen 73', Ilić 88' (og))

Nordsjælland are close to smashing the Danish Superligaen's transfer record by
selling Ernest Nuamah to Lyon for about 25m€, and even without their 19-year-old
Ghanaian prodigy in the squad they also smashed Partizan's hopes of reaching the
Conference League group stages. Left-back Martin Frise chested down an attempted
clearance and rifled in from twenty metres to give FCN the early lead:
https://giphy.com/media/Ld3kDdKg8WtBwhCamx/giphy.gif
Two handball penalties then allowed Marcus Ingvartsen to score a brace from the
spot, young right-back Oliver Villadsen also got on the scoresheet by tapping in
at the far post after Oliver Antman had flicked on Ibrahim Osman's low cross:
https://giphy.com/media/IV1K5kd0KfnPAfzjYu/giphy.gif
and a very awkward own goal by Mihajlo Ilić finished off the rout:
https://giphy.com/media/hHpM5aEfHmiyu4r9cT/giphy.gif

The seventh defeat in eight European matches so far for the Serbian teams, a clear
sign that their Red Star-fuelled rise has probably reached its natural limit. The
second row of teams (TSC, Čukarički, Vojvodina) can't quite keep up, now that
Partizan have fallen on harder times.

PFC Levski Sofia (BUL) v Eintracht Frankfurt (GER)* 1-1 (0-1)
(Fadiga 90'+5; Kolo Muani 6')

Things went according to plan when Eintracht took the early lead, Levski keeper
Andreev parried Dina Ebimbe's shot but on the follow-up Mario Götze centred for
World Cup finalist Randal Kolo Muani to rifle into the empty net:
https://giphy.com/media/hdAvLJi6y9gEzwEkis/giphy.gif
But Levski subsequently showed a gutsy performance, kept the German favourites
mostly at bay for the rest of the match, and even got the late equaliser through a
smashing strike by a much less high-profile Frenchman - Hassimi Fadiga had come to
Bulgaria from Le Mans in the third-level Championnat National:
https://giphy.com/media/IUriKlKv1tHWdFjhOn/giphy.gif

ACS Sepsi OSK Sfântu Gheorghe (ROM) v FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR)* 2-2 (0-1)
(Alimi 48' (pen), Matei 81' (pen); Moumbagna 19', Berg 69')

Cameroonian forward Faris Moumbagna rolled in Amahl Pellegrino's assist:
https://giphy.com/media/3fHaA4jp1l58shDvQk/giphy.gif
and Patrick Berg fired in a precise shot from twenty-five metres:
https://giphy.com/media/cI1Q0wpRJHhG8lfkki/giphy.gif
to twice give Bodø the lead, but twice the Norwegians committed a foul in the box
and twice the Hungarian Romanians equalised from the spot.

Fenerbahçe SK (TUR)* v FC Twente (NED) 5-1 (1-1)
(Oosterwolde 33', Szymański 60', Kahveci 63', 74', Tadić 90'+3 (pen); Ugalde 20';
Red Card: Regeer (Twe) 41')

The first half was still even, and Twente actually took the surprise lead when
Costa Rican forward Manfred Ugalde tapped in his own rebound after his initial
effort had come off the post: https://giphy.com/media/pw2zuqddSlrOZ2eA0i/giphy.gif
A Dutchman and former Twente player gave Fenerbahçe the equaliser, centre-back
Jayden Oosterwolde's header from an insane distance surprised Unnerstall in the
Twente net: https://giphy.com/media/0IhhyEhUTk0yq6adwH/giphy.gif
Youri Regeer's studs-up tackle against former Rapid Vienna right-back Mert Müldür
then changed the complexion of the tie though, as ten-man Twente collapsed in the
second half. One Fener goal was disallowed by VAR for offside, but Sebastian
Szymański rifled in Fred's centre - his first assist in a Fenerbahçe shirt:
https://giphy.com/media/YY25oBbaUFzzqStwDa/giphy.gif
İrfan Kahveci scored a brace from crosses by Ferdi Kadıoğlu and Edin Džeko
https://giphy.com/media/B4EF0LScNNp9rAc3Gv/giphy.gif
https://giphy.com/media/HsdJIgltA9MArpIyve/giphy.gif
and in stoppage time Daan Rots tripped Bright Osayi-Samuel in the box and Dušan
Tadić got Fener's fifth from the spot.

On Saturday, 11 November 2023 at 18:36:14 UTC+1, Werner Pichler wrote:
> On Friday, July 14, 2023 at 7:07:00 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
> >
> > Goalscorer Raphael Dwamena has had an interesting career trajectory, five years
> > ago the Ghanaian looked like quite the promising striker first in Red Bull's youth
> > setup in Austria and then in Switzerland, but a hereditary heart condition (like
> > Christian Eriksen he's playing with an implanted defibrillator) derailed his
> > career, and after he had collapsed on the pitch in an Austrian second league match
> > two years ago it appeared like his playing days were over for good.
> >
> > So, on one hand it's really nice to see him successfully relaunch his career in
> > the Albanian league where he finished as one of the top scorers last season, but
> > I also sincerely hope that he's been given the green light to play only after
> > really rigorous medical checks.
> Which doesn't appear to have been the case. :((
> Dwamena collapsed on the pitch again in an Albanian league match today, and later died in the hospital.
>
> https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news/raphael-dwamena-albania-ghana-cardiac-arrest-304984-20231111

I hear he had his defibrillator removed last year, which adds an extra layer of tragedy.

Dwamena also had a short stint in Danish football for Vejle back in 2020, but worry over his medical condition caused the club to pull him from the team.