The UEFA Conference League group stage began with three Lithuanian internationals featuring for their clubs. Paulius Golubickas came off the bench for KuPS in their draw against Kosovo’s Drita, while Justas Lasickas and Domantas Šimkus both suffered opening-match defeats with their respective teams.
KuPS, making their debut in a European main stages, hosted Kosovo champions FC Drita in Tampere – more than 300 kilometers from their home city of Kuopio. The 26-year-old Golubickas started on the bench but was introduced in the 58th minute with the score still 0-0.
The Finnish side broke the deadlock when Jerry Voutilainen’s cross evaded a Drita defender and found Polish striker Piotr Parzyszek, who calmly slotted past the goalkeeper. However, the lead lasted just six minutes as the visitors quickly equalized, and the match ended 1-1.
KuPS will next travel to Iceland to face Breidablik, with further matches lined up against Slovan Bratislava, Jagiellonia Białystok, Lausanne, and Premier League outfit Crystal Palace.
Meanwhile, Croatian champions Rijeka – with Justas Lasickas in the starting eleven – traveled to Armenia to face Noah. The hosts struck early in the sixth minute, and Rijeka’s task became even tougher when Niko Janković was sent off with a straight red card midway through the first half. Down to ten men, Rijeka failed to create chances and slumped to a 0-1 defeat. Lithuania’s national team defender Lasickas played 85 minutes before being substituted.
Rijeka’s league phase campaign continues against Sparta Prague, Lincoln Red Imps, AEK Larnaca, NK Celje, and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Elsewhere, Domantas Šimkus marked his Conference League group stage debut with Malta’s Hamrun Spartans in their 0-1 away defeat to Polish side Jagiellonia. The midfielder played 68 minutes before being substituted.
Hamrun, who famously eliminated Latvian champions FC RFS in the play-off round, are the first Maltese club ever to reach a European main stages. Their historic campaign will continue with matches against Lausanne, Turkey’s Samsunspor, Lincoln Red Imps, and Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk.
