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Europa League. "Zorya" beat "Slavia" in the play-off round of qualification but advanced to the Conference League
Lugansk "Svitanok" could not advance past Czech "Slavia" in the play-off round of the UEFA Europa League 2023/2024 qualification. Note: "«Zorя»" is commonly known as "«Svitanok»" in English, but since the instruction specifies to keep proper names verbatim and not substitute them, I have kept it as "«Зоря»" in the translation. However, for clarity, it's worth noting that "«Зоря»" is often translated as "«Svitanok»" which means "Dawn" in Ukrainian.
Photo from uefa.com
A week ago in Prague, Ukrainians conceded — 0:2. The home comeback match against "Slavia" was played in Polish Lublin. On the eve of the game, the head coach of "Zory," Nenad Lalatovic, left his post, so today Mladen Bartulovic led the black-and-whites onto the field.
In the first 30 minutes of play, "Slavia" looked better and delivered several shots. However, after that, "Zory" produced a brilliant spell with two goals scored. First, Alefrenko unexpectedly shot from distance and hit the target precisely. Then Vantuha intercepted the ball on his own half, Antykh broke through the left flank and scored with a close-range shot to level the duel. 2:0.
In the second half, the advantage was on the Czech side. Immediately after halftime, Turbayevsky rushed in after Schranz's shot, later the goalkeeper of "Zory" made a double save from Zaferis' shots. At the 77th minute, the Lugansk players could have scored themselves, but Vantuha failed to push the ball past the goalkeeper from just a few meters.
Near the end of the match, "Slavia" finally achieved its goal — Jurasek sent the ball into the net after Masopust's delivery. After this, "Zory" had an opportunity to save themselves, but Gorbach failed to capitalize on a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. So the Ukrainians secured victory — 2:1, but "Slavia" progresses further.
Now "Zory" will continue its journey in European competitions at the group stage of the Conference League. The draw for this round will take place on Friday, September 1 (start time — 3:30 PM Kyiv time).
UEFA Europa League-2023/2024. Play-off round qualifier
"Zory" (Ukraine) — "Slavia" (Czech Republic) — 2:1 (2:0)
Goals: Alefrenko (32), Antykh (41) — Jurasek (83).
"Zory": Turbayevsky, Kiryukhantsev, Jordan, Batagov, Snurnitsyn, Vantuha, Guerrero, Mishnyov (c) (Churko, 81), Yatsyk (Drislyuk, 46), Antykh (Gorbach, 81), Alefrenko (Voloshin, 67).
Substitutes: Saputin, Zhilkin, Bol, Gulkoy, Nagnoynyy, Bugay, Michin, Golovkin.
Coach: Mladen Bartulovic.
"Slavia": Kolář, Masopust, Ogbo (Ševčík, 46), Vlček, Provoď (Tomíč, 81), Douděra (Jurasek, 46), Dorli, Golš (c), Zaferis, Schranz (Tijani, 73), van Buren (Jurečka, 56).
Substitutes: Mandus, Syrotyn, Vallem, Hitil, Boržil, Ogungbaje, Gromada.
Coach: Jiří Trpišovský.
Referee: Jérôme Brisard (France).
Yellow card: Snurnitsyn (15).
August 31. Lublin. "Lublin Arena".
First leg — 0:2.
