Champions League: Celje with Three Lithuanian Starters Loses in Yerevan
Slovenian side Celje, who fielded three Lithuanian players in their starting line-up, lost 1-2 to Ararat-Armenia in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round.
Ararat-Armenia hosted Slovenian side Celje in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round in Yerevan. The visitors took the lead from the penalty spot after Greek defender Alexandros Malis handled the ball in his own area; Svit Sešlar made no mistake.
In the 38th minute, Armands Kučis struck the crossbar, and soon after Artur Serobjans levelled with a precise direct free kick. The hosts turned the game around in the 70th minute when Brazilian Carlos Frans, who had come on for Serobjans, capitalised on a defensive error by Celje to make it 2-1.
Celje dominated both possession and shots, but it was the Armenian side that proved more efficient in front of goal.
Three Lithuanian footballers started for Celje: Kučis, who scored eight goals in the Conference League over the past two seasons; defender Pijs Širvis, who spent three years at Maribor; and 22-year-old defender Artemijs Tutiškins.
Earlier in July, Ararat-Armenia eliminated a club from Riga and Dublin's Shamrock Rovers. Celje entered this European campaign in the second qualifying round, overcoming Albania's Egnatia on penalties after two draws (3:3 and 2:2).
The second leg is scheduled for 11 August in Slovenia.
