All seven Baltic clubs entering the first qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League have discovered their opponents, with the draw producing one all-Baltic tie as Lithuania’s FC Hegelmann and Estonia’s Paide Linnameeskond were paired together.
Latvian side FK Liepāja, who finished third in last season’s Virslīga, were drawn against Montenegrin club FK Dečić. The Montenegrin side finished fourth in their domestic league and will be competing in European football for the third consecutive season.
Meanwhile, current Virslīga leaders RFS will once again travel to Northern Ireland after being drawn against Glentoran. The Belfast club will return to European competition for the first time since the 2023/24 season. It will also mark their first meeting with a Latvian side since facing Liepājas Metalurgs in the UEFA Cup during the 2008/09 campaign.
Lithuanian club FK Žalgiris Vilnius will take on Montenegrin bronze medallists OFK Petrovac. The Montenegrin side are returning to European competition for the first time since their debut continental campaign in the 2009/10 season.
The most intriguing tie involving Baltic clubs sees FC Hegelmann face Paide Linnameeskond. Hegelmann will be looking to progress beyond the first qualifying round for the first time in club history, while Paide once again meet Lithuanian opposition. During their first-ever European campaign in 2020/21, the Estonian side suffered a one-match COVID-era qualifying defeat to Žalgiris Vilnius.
Estonian champions FCI Levadia received one of the more favourable draws available, being paired with Welsh club Caernarfon Town. The Welsh side made their European debut two years ago and will now compete in continental football for only the second time.
The final Baltic representative in the draw, Nõmme Kalju, will travel to Northern Ireland after being matched with Linfield, who finished fourth in the Northern Irish Premiership last season.
The first qualifying round matches are scheduled for 10 and 17 July, while the draw for the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round will take place tomorrow.
UEFA Conference League first qualifying round draw for Baltic teams:
| Club | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Liepāja (LVA) | Dečić (MNE) |
| RFS (LVA) | Glentoran (NIR) |
| Žalgiris Vilnius (LTU) | Petrovac (MNE) |
| Hegelmann (LTU) | Paide Linnameeskond (EST) |
| Levadia Tallinn (EST) | Caernarfon Town (WAL) |
| Paide Linnameeskond (EST) | Hegelmann (LTU) |
| Nõmme Kalju (EST) | Linfield (NIR) |
