First round of qualification for Europa League brought some big upsets because some of dead favorites were eliminated from competition on first step. First of them is Hajduk from city of Split in Croatia. To heavy opponent for them was half amateur club from Malta Gzira United. Once famous club, winner of some Championships in big Yugoslavia, who once played in semi final of UEFA cup and got eliminated by Tottenham, the only club from ex Yugoslavia who had positive score in head to head stats against Red Star Belgrade, disgraced this time. First match in Malta ended up with 2:0 win for club from Dalmatia. In second leg Hajduk lead 1:0 at half time, but that was not enough as "lovable turnover" happen because underdog scored 3 goals for 1:3 win and went to next stage on away goal rule! It was shocking diagonal shoot by 50,000 worth player Hamedu Koneu from 15 meters deep in injury time which ended in net in 95th minute.
There was pregame where Croatian newspapers wrote that chances for elimination of Hajduk are lower than extra terrestrials visit us. Old fox Italian coach Giovanni Tedesco slip that translated article in dressing room and turned on players like bulls who see red flag. Hamedu Koneu scored 2 goals and first one was great little scissors from inside the box. You can see goals here:
After the game Maltese said "People of Split you just saw extra terrestrials" :) LoL. Game had ugly end because this injury time amateur elimination was to much for Hajduk ultras supporters called "Torcida Split" who tried to break to the field to beat own players and leaders of the club. Police had heavy time and prevented that in last moment. Now they are in justified fear from punishment by UEFA which could be elimination because club has long records of felonies in UEFA from writing nazi symbol swastika on grass of Poljud stadium to non sport Nazi chants, throwing fireworks on field etc...
Disgrace in front of 20,000 supporters was complete. What would they say in local slang "As ti Gospe!".
Other big upset caused Wales amateur club who eliminated Scotish side Kilmarnock. Gap Connah S Quay Nomads won them away easily 2:0. Kalum Moris scored for 1:0 in 50th minute and all was over for Scottish club in 80th when Michale Wild scored from penalty for 2:0. First leg was 1:2 for Kilmarnock so Walsh side went to next stage with 3:2 on aggregate. Gap Connah S Quay Nomads will go to Partizan Belgrade in next stage. What else to say than it was real kill of Kilmarnock.Time for some Whiskey Scottish! LoL
Phrase "Everyone are playing football these days" is not just empty words. I am not sure does it happen because they are so good or because those clubs fall on amateur level, but anyway Hajduk Split and Kilmarnock learnt on hard way that it is not good to underestimate anyone. I don't think they will forget this disgrace for a long time. This defeat must hurt!