RRI Sport Club

Two Romanian football sides are playing in the second preliminary round of the Europa League on Thursday. The first one, FC Botosani takes on Macedonian side Shkëndija in a home game at 18:45 local time. In theory the Romanians are the odds-on favourites as they play on their own turf but the Macedonians are also in good shape and come after a very good season. They lost no official match this year and are presently ranking first in the domestic championship.

In the preliminary round of the Europa League, the Macedonian side secured a 2-0 win against Sumqayit of Azerbaijan. FC Botosani also comes after a good season with two wins and a draw in the first three legs of the Romanian football championship.  

In the Europa League qualifiers the Romanians secured a 2-1 win against Ordabasy Shymkent of Kazakhstan. If they beat the Macedonians, FC Botosani might be up against English side Tottenham, which plays Lokomotiv Plovdiv of Bulgaria on Thursday. 

Also on Thursday but at 22 hours local time, Romanian football side FCSB will be playing Bačka Topola, a team, which last year ranked fourth in the Serbian championship. Bačka is presently ranking 12th in the standings and comes after a 2-0 win against Petrocub Hînceşti from the Republic of Moldova in the preliminaries. FCSB outperformed Armenian side Shirak Gyumri, 3-0.

FCSB started off on the right foot in the domestic championship with a 3-0 win against Astra Giurgiu and Viitorul Constanta but lost to FC Voluntari 1-2. If they win against Bačka Topola, the Romanians will be up against the winner of the game pitching Lithuanian side Riterai against Slovan Liberec of the Czech Republic.