Hamrun Spartans were eliminated from the UEFA Conference League after an unfortunate mistake led to a penalty which was converted in added time, handing NSI Runavik a 2-1 win in the second leg of the first qualifying round at the Centenary Stadium on Thursday.

The Faroese side managed to take the lead just before the end of the first half and after levelling matters during the second half, the game seemed heading towards extra-time but in stoppage time, in an attempt to avoid a goal kick, Tobias Hestad kicked the ball back onto the field of play with Emerson Marcelina picking the ball with his hands. However referee Jeremy Muller and the assistant referee deemed the ball not to have crossed the goal line, awarding a penalty to Runavik. A decision which sparked harsh protests by the Hamrun players and supporters and which could not be checked due to the lack of VAR in the early rounds of the competition. Petur Knudsen converted the penalty and therefore Runavik qualify with a 3-2 aggregate score and will face FC Koper of Slovenia in the second qualifying round. 

Runavik had taken the lead two minutes from the end of the first half when Michal Przybylski concluded a solo effort with a shot from outside the area which beat goalkeeper Celio in the bottom right corner. 

The Spartans equalised eight minutes in the second half. Rafael Compri delivered a cross from the left, Damir Ceter headed the ball down and following a short clearance by a defender, Ante Coric beat goalkeeper Tom Amos with a fine shot from outside the area. 

One minute in added time, the unfortunate incident of Emerson Marcelina handling the ball after the ball had crossed the line but with the referee deeming the ball still in play, he awarded Runavik a penalty and Petur Knudsen converted to make it 2-1.

HAMRUN Celio, Rafael Compri, Tobias Bjornstad (46’ Eder), Matthew Guillaumier, Jake Grech, Damir Ceter, Vincenzo Polito (90+6’ Ryan Camenzuli), Kean Scicluna, Jack Ipalibo (46’ Lucas Villela), Emerson Marcelina (90+6’ Emmanuel Ernest), Ante Coric (80’ Klery Serber). 

RUNAVIK Tom Amos, Sammy Skytte (79’ Tobias Hestad), Viljormur Davidsen, Daniel Obbekjaer, Beinir Nolsoe, Marius Kryger Lindh, Filip Drinic (79’ Aron Knudsen), Jann Benjaminsen, Petur Knudsen, Emil Joensen, Michael Przybylski.

Referee:  Jérémy Muller LUX
Assistant referees: Dani Dias Balsa, Kevin Stammet LUX
Fourth official: Loïc Thomas LUX