Balzan were eliminated from the UEFA Europa League as they lost 3-1 to Slovan Bratislava at the Štadión Pasienky in Bratislava on Thursday. Thanks to a 4-3 aggregate win, Slovan therefore reach the third qualifying round where they will be facing Rapid Wien of Austria.

An early goal by Aleksandar Cavric put Slovan ahead after just seven minutes but for the rest of the first half, Balzan controlled their opponents well.

Thirteen minutes in the second half, the hosts were awarded a penalty after Elkin Serrano brought Sporar down inside the area. However Aleksandar Cavric effort from the penalty spot was parried by Steve Sultana.

However Andraz Sporar scored twice in a minute on the 70th and 71st to put Slovan three goals ahead.

Cadu pulled one back for Balzan on the 77th minute and at that point, Balzan needed just another goal to qualify on the away goals rule. However the score remained unchanged and Slovan Bratislava move on to the next round.

SLOVAN Michal Sulla, Mitch Apau, Vukan Savicevic (82′ Joeri de Kamps), Mohammed Rharsalla, Andraz Sporar, Dejan Drazic (87′ Filip Holosko), Nono, Kornel Salata, Vasil Bozhikov, Aleksandar Cavric (75′ Boris Cmiljanic).

BALZAN Steve Sultana, Nenad Slivic, Lecao (62′ Alfred Effiong), Steve Bezzina (83′ Andrija Majdevac), Michael Johnson, Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic, Elkin Serrano, Cadu, Bojan Kaljevic, Milos Lepovic (75′ Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte).

Referee: Alexandre Boucaut (BEL)
Assistant Referees: Laurent Conotte, Jimmy Cremers (BEL)
Fourth Official: Bert Put (BEL)