Hamrun Spartans secured a historic spot in the league stage of the UEFA Conference League as they managed to earn a 2-2 draw against RFK at the LNK Sporta Parks in Riga on Thursday. Therefore, following the 1-0 win at Ta’ Qali, the Spartans qualify with a 3-2 aggregate score.

Hamrun had established a record of becoming the first team to make it to the play-off round of a UEFA competition in 2022 when they were eventually eliminated by Partizan Belgrade from the UEFA Conference League.  However, this time, they went a step further as they bounced back from the back-to-back eliminations from the UEFA Champions League at the expense of Dynamo Kyiv and UEFA Europa League  by Maccabi Tel Aviv to eliminate a club with experience at this stage, having qualified twice to the UEFA Europa League group/league stage.

The Spartans will now continue their journey in the competition by facing six teams in three home and three away matches with the draws scheduled for Frday at 13:00.  

Coach Giacomo Modica opted for one change to the team following at the narrow win over RFS in the first leg as Emerson Marcelina was preferred to Ante Coric.

RFS went in search of an early goal and after less than two minutes, Diomande served Ikaunieks on the right and off the latter’s cross, Mor Talla hit wide from inside the area. Hamrun replied with a cross by Rafael Compri from the right from which Emerson Marcelina headed wide on 7 minutes. Two minutes later, Eder served Saliou Thioune inside the area but the latter’s conclusion was neutralised by the RFS goalkeeper. 

The Spartans opened the score on 12 minutes. Joseph Mbong delivered a cross from the right and Saliou Thioune slotted the ball in style past goalkeeper Maric. 

RFS, however, equalised on 17 minutes. Mor Talla as brought down inside the area by Eder and from the penalty spot, Stefan Panic converted.

The Spartans threatened once again on 26 minutes when off a cross by Bjelicic, Joseph Mbong just missed the target with an angled shot from the right.  Two minutes later, Bonello came to the rescue blocking a header by Panic, off a Petr Mares freekick. Rafael Compri tested the RFS goalkeeper with a shot from the edge of the area on 32 minutes.  However, just before the end of the first half, the Latvian champions missed a great opportunity  as Diomande failed to connect off an inviting cross by Wouter from the right. 

Thirteen minutes in the second half, Hamrun went close with a Saliou Thioune header off a cross by Camenzuli from the left.

Ten minutes later, the Spartans regained the lead. Joseph Mbong delivered a cross from the right and Vincenzo Polito headed the ball past goalkeeper Maric.

Three minutes from time, RFS levelled matters. When off a cross by Ikaunieks from the left,  subsistitute Darko Lemajic headed home in style past Bonello.

Eight minutes in added time, N’Dri Koffi could have sealed the issue with a third goal when Marcelina released him on the left but after rounding a defender, he hit high from the edge of the area. 

RFS Marko Maric, Aleksandar Filipovic, Ismael Diomande (63’ Darko Lemajic), Janis Ikaunieks, Roberts Savalnieks, Dmitrijs Zelenkovs, Petr Mares, Stefan Panic, Tayrell Wouter (56’ Martins Kigurs), Ziga Lipuscek, Mor Talla (75’ Barthelemy Diedhiou).

HAMRUN Henry Bonello, Rafael Compri, Saliou Thioune (82’ Mouad El Fanis), Joseph Mbong, Vincenzo Polito, N’Dri Koffi, Eder (73’ Matias Garcia), Ognjen Bjelicic, Domantas Simkus (65’ Ante Coric), Emerson Marcelina, Ryan Camenzuli. 

Referee: Horațiu Feșnic ROU

Assistant referees: Valentin Avram ROU, Alexandru Cerei ROU

Fourth official: Rares Vidican ROU

Video Assistant Referee: Ovidiu Haţegan ROU

Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Adrian Costreie ROU