AEK bow out of Europa League but secure Conference League group stage spot alongside Omonoia

Europa League Play-off, Second Leg
AEK Larnaca 0-4 Brann (Agg: 1-6)

AEK Larnaca’s Europa League campaign came to a comprehensive end as Norwegian side Brann cruised to a 4-0 victory on the night, sealing a 6-1 aggregate win.

The turning point came in the 39th minute when Enric Saborit was dismissed, leaving AEK with a mountain to climb. Brann capitalised almost immediately, Niklas Castro breaking the deadlock in first-half stoppage time to extend the visitors’ aggregate advantage.

The second half saw Brann firmly in control. Hansen doubled the lead in the 69th minute, Knudsen added a third shortly after, and Soldvedt completed the scoring in the final minutes to leave no doubt about the outcome.

Despite the heavy defeat, the 4,000 supporters inside the AEK Arena gave their players a warm reception at full-time. While elimination from the Europa League is a major setback, AEK will now look forward to competing in the Conference League group stage.

Conference League Play-off, Second Leg
Omonoia 1-0 Wolfsberger (2-2 agg) – Omonoia win 5-4 on penalties

Omonoia sealed their place in the Conference League group stage for the fifth time in their history after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Wolfsberger.

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, the hosts started with intent. Maric, Loizou and Jovetić (twice) all went close inside the opening 20 minutes, as Omonoia pressed aggressively down the flanks. The breakthrough came in the 39th minute when Loizos Loizou, denied a penalty in Austria, weaved past three defenders and squared for the unmarked Semedo to tap home.

The second half began in similar fashion, but Omonoia’s momentum was halted on 59 minutes when Mateo Maric was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge. Despite the setback, the ten men showed character and continued to threaten. Jovetić set up Semedo late on, only for the winger to shoot tamely, while Loizou blazed over from close range in stoppage time. A last-gasp chance in the 119th minute also went begging when Chatzigiovanis slipped after racing onto an Eraković pass.

That meant penalties — a scenario Omonoia know well after past shootout triumphs against Red Star Belgrade and Flora Tallinn. Both sides converted their first two spot kicks before Wolfsberger’s Markus Pink ballooned his effort over the bar. Eraković made it 3-2, and with both teams scoring their next two, the stage was set for Ioannis Kousoulos. The captain made no mistake, drilling home the decisive penalty to spark celebrations in Nicosia.

Omonoia’s 5-4 shootout win not only secured their passage but also guaranteed the club €3.1 million in prize money.