Balkan hosts Shamrock Rovers in their second match as a guest in the Conference League qualifiers

Balkan hosts Shamrock Rovers in their second match as a guest in the Conference League qualifiers.

The first match at “Fadil Vokrri” ended 1-0 in favor of the team from Suhareka, while tonight they will aim to advance to the play-offs of the competition, the third in their history as a club.

The Balkans know it’s a difficult journey, but the result speaks in their favor and they aim to start it off on a good foot.

Shamrock Rovers made history last year when they became the first Irish team to compete in the group/league phase of the Conference League. They gave a good account of themselves, finishing 10th in the league phase with a 3-2-1 record.

They’ve got some work to do if they are to make a return, however. A 1-0 away defeat in Kosovo in the first leg sees them return to Dublin facing elimination.

It was Rovers first defeat of the 2025-26 campaign as they had won three and drawn once in their four competitive fixtures up to that point. Most recently, the hosts drew 0-0 with Galway United away from home at the weekend.

Ballkani did what was required of them last week as they held serve and got the win on home soil. With the start of the AlbiMall Superliga still a few days away, the Gabriels will have their full attention on this crucial European tie.

The visitors made it past Floriana in the previous round, winning by an aggregate score of 5-3. Ballkani are unbeaten in their three competitive fixtures this season, winning twice and drawing once.

Shamrock : McGinty, Cleary, Lopes, Grace, Watts, Grant, Malley, Healy, Honhan, Gaffney, Mandroiu.

Balkans : Golubovic, Smajli, Halili, Jashanica, Potoku, Ard. Deliu, Ismajlgeci, Letaj, Giovanni, Kryeziu, Adetunji.