Malisheva Crush Vllaznia, Set to Face Hibernian
Kosovo club Malisheva overturned a first-leg deficit with a 5-0 victory over Albania's Vllaznia in the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round, advancing 6-2 on aggregate. They will next face Scotland's Hibernian.
In the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round, Malisheva from Kosovo produced a stunning comeback after losing the first leg 1-2 in Albania. In the return leg at home, they demolished Shkodër's Vllaznia 5-0. Four goals were scored between the 34th and 57th minutes. Kosovan Krešnik Uka scored twice and added an assist, while Macedonian Albanian Džemal Ibiši contributed a goal and an assist. This marks the first time in three attempts that Malisheva has advanced past a European qualifying round.
Last year, Vllaznia had eliminated Latvian club Daugavpils after a 4-2 win in Riga, but this time they were stopped. Malisheva's next opponent will be Hibernian from Edinburgh, who finished fifth in the Scottish Premiership last season.
Additionally, Latvian side Liepāja has already secured their place in the next round after beating Montenegro's Dečić Tuzi 3-1 on aggregate. Liepāja will face Austria Vienna.
