Balzan were eliminated from the UEFA Europa Conference League after a scoreless draw at the Centenary Stadium Ta’ Qali, bowing out to Neman Grodno on a 2‐0 aggregate, who will now meet NK Celje of Slovenia or Vitoria SC of Portugal in the UECL Q3.
The chance of recovering back from their two-goal deficit suffered against Neman Grodno in the first leg in Hungary was too much for Balzan. It was always going to be a difficult upward task for Balzan.
Although in full control of the match Balzan failed to trouble the Belarussian side to finish the match in a 0-0 full-time score. Thus ending their commitment in UEFA Europa Conference League with a 2-0 aggregate score for Neman Grodno.
Balzan had a solid look about them as they not only defended well but also sought to offer a threat up front albeit but found a solid defence which left them no space to trouble goalkeeper Konstantin Rudzenok.
At the end of the match although the game finished in a goalless draw, wrapping up Neman Grodno’s passage to the third qualifying round of the Europa Conference League, the Balzan supporters applauded their players for their efforts.
Despite losing the opportunity to advance in this competition, Balzan can consider this year’s European participation as a positive experience.
BALZAN: Danilo Golovic, Ivan Bozovic, Andre Fausto Prates rodrigues, Samir Arab (Nikola Zerjal 82′ ), Paul Fenech (Marcus Grima 75′), Angel Yesid Torres Quinones, Peter Ukeme Olawale, Ryohei Michibuchi (Triston Caruana 63′), Jake Grech (Evandro Pinto Gomes 82′), Momcilo Rašo, Aleksa Andrejic (Manyluak Aguek 75′).
NEMAN GRODNO: Konstantin Rudzenok, Andrei Vasilyev, Yegor Parkhomenko, Yurii Pantia, Oleg Evdokimov (Roman Paparyha 67′) (Anton Suchkou 79′), Yegor Zubovich (Maksim Krautsou 79′), Ivan Sadaunichy, Almardon Şukurov, Andrei Yakimov (Yuri Paviyukovets 84′), Sergei Karpovich, Mikhail Kozlov (Aleksei Legchilin 84′).
Referee: Ioannis Papadopoulos (GRE)