Premium Liiga side Nõmme Kalju kicked off their UEFA Conference League campaign with a 1–1 draw against Albanian club Partizani in the first leg of the opening qualifying round, held at Kadriorg Stadium in Tallinn.
After a rather uneventful first half, the second period began with fireworks. Just two minutes after the restart, Mattias Männilaan put Kalju in front, slotting home after a well-timed pass from Ivans Patrikejevs. The joy was short-lived, however, as Partizani’s captain Xhuliano Skuka capitalized on a swift counterattack in the 51st minute to level the score with a precise finish.
Kalju took control of the second half, dominating possession and dictating the pace, while the Albanian visitors focused on disrupting the rhythm of the game through tactical fouls and time-wasting tactics.
Despite their superior ball control, Kalju struggled to create clear-cut chances and were mostly limited to half-opportunities. Their best chance to snatch a late winner came during stoppage time when substitute Guilherme, surprisingly left out of the starting lineup, found space for a sharp close-range effort. However, his shot was impressively saved by Partizani goalkeeper Pano Qirko.
The return leg will take place next Thursday at the Arena Kombëtare in Albania. The winner of the tie will advance to the second qualifying round of the Conference League, where they will face either Irish side St. Patrick’s Athletic or Lithuanian club Hegelmann.
Nomme Kalju FC vs FK Partizani – 1:1 (0:0)
Goals: Mannilaan 47′ | Skuka 51′
NOM: Pavlov, Mashchenko (Guilherme 61′), Korre, Podholjuzin, Tambedou, Musolitin, Siht, Kask, Tarassenkov (Nikolajev 76′), Mannilaan, Patrikejevs
PAR: Qirko, Martinez, Preka, Mehmeti, Buxhelaj (Atanaskoski 81′), Kote (Shanaj 61′), Sembene, Malaj, Garcia (Vata 81′), Skuka, Keko (Himallari 36′)
UEFA Conference League 1st qualifying round
| Pair | 1st leg | 2nd leg | Aggregate |
| Nomme Kalju FC vs Partizani (ALB) | 1:1 | 1:0 | 2:1 (after ET) |
| FC Hegelmann vs St. Patrick's Athletic (IRL) | 0:1 | 0:2 | 0:3 |
| FK Auda vs Larne FC (NIR) | 0:0 | 2:3 | 2:3 (After PK) |
| Paide vs Magpies (GIB) | 3:2 | 4:1 | 7:3 |
| FC Flora vs Valur (ISL) | 0:3 | 1:2 | 1:5 |
| Daugavpils vs Vllaznia (ALB) | 1:0 | 2:4 | 3:4 |
| Kauno Žalgiris vs Penybont (WAL) | 3:0 | 1:1 | 4:1 |
Source: https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/loe-jarele-sudi-kalju-surus-albaanlasi-kovasti-aga-leppis-viigiga
