Latvian youth champions SK Super Nova advanced in the UEFA Youth League by reversing a first-leg deficit to beat Swedish champions Hammarby 2-0 at home. This secured a 2-1 aggregate triumph and propelled the club into the final qualifying round for the first time in the history of Latvian football. In contrast, Lithuanian champions Vilnius Žalgiris were knocked out after a 0-1 home loss against Irish club St Patrick’s Athletic, resulting in a 1-2 aggregate defeat.
Participating in Europe for the first time this season, Super Nova confronted a tough challenge following a narrow 1-0 loss in Sweden the previous week. Nevertheless, the Latvian youth mounted a strong second-half display to reverse the outcome and prolong their European journey.
Following a scoreless opening period, Super Nova broke the deadlock in the 74th minute when Iļja Streļcovs scored to put the hosts up 1-0 and tie the aggregate score at 1-1.
The home team scored a second time just nine minutes later. Seventeen-year-old Georgijs Bombāns connected with a cross, sending a precise header past the Hammarby keeper to double Super Nova’s lead and push the Latvian team ahead on aggregate for the initial time.
Super Nova defended their two-goal advantage through the final minutes, sealing a notable comeback and making history as the inaugural Latvian club to advance to the final qualifying round of the UEFA Youth League.
Their upcoming opponents are Polish youth champions Legia Warsaw, who earned their spot in the next stage with a 5-2 aggregate win over French team Clermont.
While Super Nova marked a historic milestone, the European journey concluded for Lithuanian youth champions Vilnius Žalgiris after a tight 0-1 home setback versus St Patrick’s Athletic.
Having tied the initial leg 1-1 in Ireland, Žalgiris began the return match with the aggregate even. Yet, the away team went ahead in the 28th minute courtesy of Niall Sullivan, whose strike proved to be the winner.
The Lithuanian youngsters failed to score an equalizer, permitting St Patrick’s Athletic to claim a 2-1 aggregate triumph and progress to the final qualifying round.
The Irish club will next play Estonian champions FC Flora, who pulled off one of the round’s biggest upsets by knocking out Chelsea 5-4 on aggregate following a notable 3-2 away victory in England earlier on Wednesday.
Source: balticfootballnews.com
