Europa Conference League, second qualifying round: Ballkani (Kosovo) v Larne (Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina, 7.45pm, Tuesday)
THERE'S a rock between Larne and the good place of another step closer to the Conference League group stages – but first the hard bit of getting past FC Ballkani.
The back-to-back Kosovo champions became the first ever team from that young country to make it through to the group stages of a Uefa competition last season and acquitted themselves well despite finishing fourth in that section, never losing by more than a goal.
This time around they beat experienced Bulgarian campaigners Ludogorets Razgrad 2-0 in their first leg in Champions League qualifying before losing the reverse fixture 4-0 to slip into this competition.
- The long and winding road travelled by Larne manager Tiernan Lynch
- Extra-time agony for Larne in Champions League
Both Ballkani and Larne will feel they can see off Gibraltar outfit Lincoln Red Imps, at the next stage, with the draw already made for that third qualifying round. The team from 'the Rock' were ousted 6-1 on aggregate by Azerbaijan champs Qarabag from the Champions League.
Larne suffered a much tougher exit, only going out after extra time – at Cliftonville's Solitude ground – against Finnish kingpins HJK Helsinki. A goal conceded very early in the first leg ultimately proved decisive, as the first-time Irish League champions could only draw 2-2 in the second match.
That was a hard defeat to take for Tiernan Lynch's men but they should derive significant confidence from their displays.
If the Uefa rankings are any guide, Larne are basically on a par with Ballkani, the Kosovans at 323rd, the Inver Park men at 326th.
HJK are rated 132nd in Europe, so for Larne to push them so hard was no mean feat. However, it's worth noting that Razgrad are in the top 100, at 83rd, so Ballkani will clearly provide a tough test.
As with Larne, Ballkani have had to give up full home advantage, unable to play in their hometown of Suva Reka, instead switching to the Kosovan capital of Pristina.
Northern Ireland lost 3-2 here to Kosovo last summer, in the Uefa Nations League, so Larne will be well aware of the challenge facing them.
Last year, after being knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers by Zalgiris of Lithuania, albeit only after extra time, they saw of sides from San Marino, the Faroe Islands, and North Macedonia to reach those Europa Conference League group stages.
Forward Albion Rrahmani is their main goal threat, and he's one of several Kosovo internationals, while they also have Albanian goalkeeper Enea Kolici.
