By Eden Roitfarb and Yossi Medina
Matchday four of the Europa Conference League made things clear - those who are close to the next stage, the teams that missed it by inches this week, and the people that make this tournament so great.
Swedish nights are here again
Djurgårdens made one important step towards the next stage. In front of their home crowd, they defeated Gent 4-2 in a dramatic match.
Gustav Wikheim was the hero for the Swedish side, as he scored twice and assisted once.
In this tight group, when every win counts, Djurgårdens booked their place in the next stage. In the next weeks they will try to take it one step further, and to clinch first place.
Djurgarden in dreamland 😍
— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) October 13, 2022
🔝They remain unbeaten at the top of Group F 👏#UECL | @DIF_Fotboll pic.twitter.com/gktHIXUlIM
Silkeborg, again!
Last week Danish side Silkeborg humiliated FCSB 5-0, in what was considered to be a real shock.
In this week’s episode of Conference Call, the return fixture was discussed, and another Danish win was still thought to be a surprise. Surely, they couldn't produce another 5-0 win, right?
Well the Conference League never ceases to amaze us, as Silkeborg beat the Romanians 5-0 yet again, this time away from home - sending Gigi Becalli’s men out of Europe.
Silkeborg will now battle Anderlecht for second spot in the group.
AZ shocked in Cyprus
Last week in the Europa League, Manchester United almost faced a surprising defeat in Cyrpus, at the hands of Omonia Nicosia.
This week, AZ Alkmaar, one of the strongest teams in the Conference League, faced the challenge of Cyprus.
Playing away to Apollon Limassol, the Cypriot champions scored once, half an hour in. It was Valentin Roberge who brought a tremendous win for his side.
Apollon is stil looking for the opportunity to catch Dnipro in the race for the next stage, both will face each other next matchday.
Apollon: the first team to defeat AZ in Group E 💙💪
— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) October 13, 2022
Will they finish in the top two? 🤔#UECL pic.twitter.com/sap1Sybydy
Slovacko are still here
Another team who were on the verge of elimination today was Czech side Slovacko.
Down 1-0 in the Riviera, against Nice, there was little hope of a comeback.
But that wasn’t to be the case, as Michal Tomic equalized after 75 mins, and nine minutes later, Jean Clair Todibo was sent off for Nice.
This set the stage for a dramatic 86th minute winner by Petr Reinberk, to stun the hosts and send Group D into total madness.
Slovacko are breathing behind Nice and Koln’s necks, while Partizan sit in first place with eight points.
Slovak retro
The days of the best Slovak players have passed, but for one night they were revived in the Conference League.
Slovan Bratislava could feel disappointment. They led 3-1 against FC Basel, but eventually succumbed to a 3-3 draw.
Nevertheless, they saw some of their memorable players of days gone score tonight.
The 32-year-old Vladimír Weiss, and 35-year-old Juraj Kucka contributed towards the scoreline.
Slovan Bratislava, although missing out on important points tonight, can still aim for a place in the next stage.
ŠK Slovan Bratislava remizoval vo štvrtom zápase Európskej konferenčnej ligy s FC Bazilej 3:3. 20223 divákov zažilo na Tehelnom poli krásny futbalový večer. Gólovo sa za belasých presadili Weiss, Kucka a Čavrič. pic.twitter.com/E5rPd5iYux
— ŠK Slovan Bratislava (@SKSlovan) October 13, 2022
First ever Lithuanian group stage win
Congratulations go to Zalgiris Vilnius, as they achieved the first win for a Lithuanian side in a European group stage.
With players from nine different nationalities in the starting 11, Zalgiris managed to beat Pyunik Yerevan 2-1, and save their campaign for the time being.
They sit in last place still, but now with four points, and a chance to finish in the top two spots.
This Conference League season has seen many countries have their European group stage debut and/or wins. It’s absolutely great to see.
Edited by Alex Smith
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