Balzan were eliminated from the UEFA Europa League as they lost 3-1 to Slovan Bratislava at the Štadión Pasienky in Bratislava on Thursday. Thanks to a 4-3 aggregate win, Slovan therefore reach the third qualifying round where they will be facing Rapid Wien of Austria.
An early goal by ALEKSANDAR CARVIC put SK Slovan ahead after just seven minutes but for the rest of the first half, Balzan controlled their opponents well.
Thirteen minutes in the second half, the hosts were awarded a penalty after Elkin Serrano brought Sporar down inside the area. However Aleksandar Cavric’s effort from the penalty spot was parried by goalkeeper Steve Sultana.
However ANDRAZ SPORAR scored twice in a minute on the 70th and 71st to put SK Slovan three goals ahead.
On the 77th minute, CARLOS EDUARDO DE FIOR MENDES pulled one back for Balzan and at that point, Balzan needed just another goal to qualify on the away goals rule. However the score remained unchanged and Slovan Bratislava move on to the next round.
SK SLOVAN : Michal Sulla, Mitch Apau, Vukan Savicevic (Joeri de Kamps 82′), Mohammed Rharsalla, Andraz Sporar, Dejan Drazic (Filip Holosko 87′), Nono, Kornel Salata, Vasil Bozhikov, Aleksandar Cavric (Boris Cmiljanic 75′).
BALZAN FC : Steve Sultana, Nenad Slivic, Lecao (Alfred Effiong 62′ ), Steve Bezzina (Andrija Majdevac 83′ ), Michael Johnson, Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic, Elkin Serrano, Cadu, Bojan Kaljevic, Milos Lepovic (Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte 75′).
Referee: Alexandre Boucaut (BEL)
Assistant Referees: Laurent Conotte, Jimmy Cremers (BEL)
Fourth Official: Bert Put (BEL)