Historic success for Borac: Secured group stage in Europe

(Patria) - FK Borac hosted the Faroese team Klaksvik tonight in Banja Luka in the second leg of the third qualifying round of the Europa League, winning 3:1 (2:1) after extra time to advance to the play-off, and thus secured a place in the group stage of the Conference League.

After a 2:1 loss in the Faroe Islands, Borac had the opportunity tonight in front of packed stands to secure a place in the Conference League group stage, in case they were eliminated in the Europa League play-off. Fortunately, the BiH champions advanced and will play against Hungarian Ferencvaros in the play-off, but have already secured participation in the newest UEFA competition, which Zrinjski achieved last season. Certainly a historic night in Banja Luka.

As could be expected, Borac took the initiative from the first minute tonight and showed what they wanted from this second leg. Čavić was the first to try, shooting over the goal from 16 meters, and then Carolina sent the ball wide of the goal from a distance.

Borac's opening goal didn't take long. In the 17th minute, Borac players quickly took a corner, Čavić set up Srećković with a backheel, and he scored with a clever shot for great celebration at the City Stadium.

In the 32nd minute, Kvržić crossed, Lukić headed well from a difficult position, but was inaccurate. The team from Banja Luka deservedly went into halftime with a 1:0 lead.

Borac was better at the start of the second half, while Klaksvik played very cautiously, waiting for their chance on the counter-attack. And then the guests, out of nowhere, equalized to 1:1 in the 53rd minute. Pavlović was left alone and headed in from seven meters to equalize.

Borac quickly responded, Srećković scored again in the 55th minute, but VAR disallowed the celebration from Banja Luka due to an offside position.

The hosts then pushed harder towards the guests' goal, and, aware they had nothing to lose, went all out in attack, tightening the noose around Klaksvik's goal. Dangerous attacks followed in front of the Faroese team's goal, but Borac could not find the needed goal.

In the 69th minute, a powerful shot from Carolina, but Jensen saved it, and then the visiting goalkeeper saved a clear chance from Kvržić, who was alone and headed from a few meters, but Jensen parried the ball into a corner.

Jensen turned into Neuer, then in the 75th minute he saved Savić's shot, and then stopped Lukić who ran onto the rebound. Borac's fierce attacks continued, but it was as if the guests' net was enchanted.

Finally, in the 82nd minute, Stefan Savić scored a great goal. Even Jensen couldn't do anything then. Vukčević passed to substitute Hasukić, who masterfully backheeled the ball to Savić, who beat Jensen.

Borac will play against Ferencvaros in the Europa League play-off, and in case of elimination by the Hungarians, they will participate in the group stage of the Conference League.

This is a very successful night for BiH football, as HŠK Zrinjski also qualified for the play-off tonight, having defeated Botev 2:0 in the second leg in Mostar. The rivals for the team from Mostar will likely be Portuguese Vitoria.

At the very beginning of the first half of extra time, Borac took a 3:1 lead. Savić crossed brilliantly and Meijers headed in, thus securing Banja Luka's place in the Europa League play-off. Kulašin had a great chance in the 105th minute from Hasukić's pass, but Jensen saved again. The score remained 3:1 and Borac celebrated a historic success.

(sportsport.ba)