NK Celje’s dream of reaching the UEFA Champions League league phase came to a heartbreaking end on Wednesday evening, as the Slovenian champions suffered a 1-2 extra-time home defeat to Slovan Bratislava, losing 2-3 on aggregate. Lithuanian striker Armandas Kučys was left devastated after missing a golden opportunity in the second-half stoppage time that could have sent Celje into Europe’s elite competition.
Less than 24 hours after Valdas Dambrauskas became the first Lithuanian head coach to guide a club into the UEFA Champions League league phase with Sabah, three more Lithuanians had the chance to make history as players.
Following last week’s 1-1 draw in Bratislava, Celje welcomed Slovan to a sold-out stadium for the decisive second leg. Artemijus Tutyškinas and Pijus Širvys were both named in the starting line-up, while leading striker Armandas Kučys began the evening on the bench.
The hosts created the first clear opportunity when Svit Seslar headed over from close range, but it was Slovan who struck first in the 18th minute. Former Slovenian international Andraz Sporar timed his run perfectly to beat Celje’s high defensive line before calmly lifting the ball over the goalkeeper to give the visitors the lead.
Celje responded well and were rewarded just after the half-hour mark. Following a VAR review, the hosts were awarded a penalty, which Seslar confidently converted to level the match at 1-1 and the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.
The Slovenian champions continued to push after the break, creating several dangerous moments and striking the woodwork. Širvys’ evening came to an end in the 73rd minute before Kučys was introduced seven minutes later as Celje searched for a winner.
Deep into stoppage time, the Lithuanian forward was presented with what proved to be the biggest chance of the match. Left completely unmarked in front of an open goal, Kučys met a cross from a few meters from goal, but the ball arrived at an awkward height and he could not make clean contact, sending his effort bouncing over the crossbar. The striker could only stand in disbelief as the opportunity to send Celje into the Champions League slipped away.
With neither side able to find a decisive goal, the tie moved into extra time.
The turning point arrived after a costly mistake in midfield from Mario Kvesic as he was dissposed of the ball. Slovan quickly launched a three-on-two counterattack, with the move ending at the feet of Cristian Martinez, who calmly finished to restore the Slovak champions’ aggregate advantage.
Celje threw everything forward in search of another equaliser. The hosts hit the post for a second time late in the first period of extra time and Kučys was handed another excellent opportunity in the second period after a long-range effort spilled kindly into his path. However, the Slovan goalkeeper reacted quickly to close down the angle and deny the Lithuanian from close range.
Despite a frantic finish, Celje were unable to force a penalty shootout, seeing their Champions League hopes come to an end.
Tutyškinas completed the full 120 minutes and received a yellow card, while Širvys played 73 minutes before being substituted, also picking up a booking. Kučys featured for 58 minutes off the bench in what will undoubtedly be one of the most frustrating nights of his career, with two missed opportunities that came within inches of sending Celje into the UEFA Champions League league phase.
Instead, the Slovenian champions will continue their European campaign in the UEFA Europa League.
