European campaigns off to good start with 2 wins and 2 draws
Three Estonian football teams participated in qualification games for the Europa League on Thursday with Nõmme Kalju and FC Flora both winning. Sillamäe Kalev drew 1-1 at home, while FC Levadia got a 0-0 away result on Tuesday in its Champions League qualifier.
Levadia had a relaxed game against Crusaders, the champions of Northern Ireland, drawing 0-0 away. According to soccernet.ee, the semi-professional Crusaders will travel to Tallinn without their captain, who has gone on holiday.
Kalju is now perhaps in the best position to make it to the next round, beating Aktobe (KAZ) away thanks to a lone Ats Purje goal on the 72nd minute. Aktobe's goalkeeper was sent off a few minutes later.
Flora beat Rabotnick (MKD) at home by the same scoreline with Maksim Gussev scoring on the 59th minute. Sillamäe had a harder night, falling behind already on the 6th minute through a penalty. But it managed to draw level on the 40th minute through Kõrõlo Silitš.
All four teams will play the return leg next week with Levadia hosting Crusaders on July 7. Sillamäe will travel to Croatia to face Hajduk Split, while Kalju will play Aktobe at home and Flora will take on Rabotnicki away.
Editor: J.M. Laats