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Partizan, Dinamo Tbilisi the prize for first four

FC Shirak already have their name pencilled in for the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, but there is little to choose between EB/Streymur and FC Lusitans.

Cristian Martínez (right), scorer of both Lusitans' first-leg goals, celebrates
Cristian Martínez (right), scorer of both Lusitans' first-leg goals, celebrates ©Silvia Casals

The lineup for the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round will be completed on Tuesday evening, and while FC Shirak have their names pencilled in, there is little to choose between EB/Streymur and FC Lusitans.

Andorran title holders Lusitans may wonder how, having led 2-0 in the first leg when a foul by Gert Åge Hansen on 62 minutes saw their opponents reduced to ten men and the award of a penalty. Bruninho failed to make it three from the spot and incredibly, within seven minutes it was 2-2 as Gert Åge's younger brother Arnbjørn made amends for his sibling's slip. On as a half-time substitute, he reduced the arrears and then earned a penalty that Levi Hanssen converted. "We went 2-0 behind and were under some pressure," said EB/Streymur coach Rúni Nolsøe. "All in all I'm well satisfied with 2-2."

The result left Lusitans still seeking their first European victory after seven attempts and something has to give when they reconvene in Torshavn: EB/Streymur are yet to win a tie in UEFA competition, losing six times. "My players put in a very good performance in the first leg but that penalty miss left a bitter taste in our mouths," said Lusitans coach Carlos Sánchez. "There is the second leg to come, though, and from what we saw in the first game we go into the return that much wiser."

A meeting with Georgia's FC Dinamo Tbilisi awaits the winner in the second qualifying round; the reward in the other first round tie is perhaps even more auspicious, in the shape of FK Partizan. The Belgrade giants may be forgiven for checking travel to Gyurmi already after local side Shirak opened up a commanding lead over San Marino's SP Tre Penne.

An Ismaël Fofana hat-trick earned the Armenian champions a 3-0 triumph last Tuesday though even he failed to meet coach Vardan Bichakhchyan's high standards. "Our players do not have the right to underestimate the opponents," the 35-year-old told UEFA.com. "The [first leg] showed that the players are not at their best. Of course the scoreline will make our task for the return leg much easier, but it is also important how we played."

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