Super Nova beat Hammarby and move on in the UEFA Youth League

Latvian youth champions SK Super Nova moved on in the UEFA Youth League after overturning a first-leg deficit to defeat Swedish champions Hammarby 2-0 at home, securing a 2-1 aggregate victory and reaching the final qualifying round for the first time in Latvian football history. Meanwhile, Lithuanian champions Vilnius Žalgiris were eliminated following a 0-1 home defeat against Irish side St Patrick’s Athletic, losing 1-2 on aggregate.

Making their European debut this season, Super Nova faced a difficult task after suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat in Sweden last week. However, the Latvian youngsters produced an impressive second-half performance to turn the tie around and continue their European campaign.

After a goalless first half, Super Nova finally made the breakthrough in the 74th minute when Iļja Streļcovs found the net to give the hosts a 1-0 lead and level the aggregate score at 1-1.

The hosts struck again just nine minutes later. Seventeen-year-old Georgijs Bombāns rose to meet a delivery and directed a well-placed header past the Hammarby goalkeeper, doubling Super Nova’s advantage and putting the Latvian side ahead on aggregate for the first time.

Super Nova successfully protected their two-goal lead in the closing stages, completing a memorable comeback and becoming the first Latvian club to reach the final qualifying round of the UEFA Youth League.

Their next opponents will be Polish youth champions Legia Warsaw, who secured their place in the next round with a 5-2 aggregate victory over French side Clermont.

While Super Nova celebrated a historic achievement, the European campaign came to an end for Lithuanian youth champions Vilnius Žalgiris, who suffered a narrow 0-1 home defeat against St Patrick’s Athletic.

Having drawn the first leg 1-1 in Ireland, Žalgiris entered the return fixture with the tie finely balanced. However, the visitors took the lead in the 28th minute through Niall Sullivan, whose goal ultimately proved decisive.

The Lithuanian youngsters were unable to find an equaliser, allowing St Patrick’s Athletic to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory and advance to the final qualifying round.

The Irish side will now face Estonian champions FC Flora, who produced one of the biggest surprises of the round by eliminating Chelsea 5-4 on aggregate following a remarkable 3-2 away victory in England earlier on Wednesday.