Universitatea Craiova Held by KuPS in Finland as Tie Remains Wide Open

Universitatea Craiova drew 1-1 away to KuPS Kuopio at Kuopion Keskuskenttä on Thursday evening in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying-round tie.

Filipe Coelho’s side went into the interval with a one-goal advantage after Ștefan Baiaram opened the scoring in the 39th minute. The Finnish champions controlled much of the second half, however, and deservedly equalised through Jaime Moreno in the 72nd minute.

The result leaves Universitatea Craiova in a promising position ahead of the return leg in Romania, although their performance suggested that they became too comfortable after taking the lead. The two halves followed entirely different patterns, with the visitors looking more dangerous before the break and KuPS applying sustained pressure after the restart.

Ștefan Baiaram Opens the Scoring in Finland

Universitatea Craiova created their first notable opportunity in the 15th minute. Ștefan Baiaram found himself in an excellent position inside the penalty area but slipped before he could attempt a finish.

Three minutes later, Monday Etim tried an acrobatic effort from approximately 16 metres, but the Craiova forward sent the ball narrowly wide of Hemmo Riihimäki’s goal.

The Romanian champions threatened again in the 27th minute. Riihimäki saved Baiaram’s initial shot before Brahima Magassa nearly diverted the rebound into his own net. The KuPS defender eventually recovered and cleared the danger.

Craiova’s persistence was rewarded in the 39th minute. Adrian Rus delivered a precise cross into the six-yard box, where Baiaram arrived at the right moment to steer the ball into the net and give the visitors the lead.

KuPS attempted to respond before half-time. Jaime Moreno tried his luck from around 20 metres in the 41st minute, but his effort sailed over Laurențiu Popescu’s crossbar.

KuPS Take Control After the Break

The Finnish champions emerged from the dressing room with far greater intensity and immediately pushed the game towards Craiova’s penalty area. The hosts won several corners in quick succession and began placing the Romanian side’s defence under increasing pressure.

Their best opportunity during this spell fell to Brahima Magassa. In the 50th minute, the KuPS defender struck the post with Laurențiu Popescu beaten.

The Universitatea goalkeeper made an important intervention six minutes later. Moreno received the ball approximately 12 metres from goal, but Popescu rushed off his line and successfully blocked the striker’s attempt.

Coelho attempted to alter the course of the match by making three substitutions in the 59th minute. Samuel Teles, Assad Al Hamlawi and David Matei replaced Alexandru Cicâldău, Steven Nsimba and Ștefan Baiaram. KuPS continued to apply pressure despite the changes made by the Craiova coach.

Jaime Moreno Draws KuPS Level

The home side found their equaliser in the 72nd minute. Tommi Jyry, a former Petrolul Ploiești player, delivered a corner into the penalty area, and Moreno rose to head the ball past Popescu from around seven metres.

The Venezuelan-born Nicaragua international converted KuPS’s dominance into a goal after the Finnish champions had controlled most of the second half.

Universitatea Craiova tried to respond during the closing stages. Samuel Teles attempted two long-range shots in the 85th minute, but neither troubled Riihimäki.

Concern for Calvin Kabuye After Late Medical Emergency

The match was stopped for approximately six minutes following a worrying incident in the 90th minute. Calvin Kabuye collapsed inside Universitatea Craiova’s six-yard box despite not being involved in a challenge with an opponent.

The Ugandan player received medical treatment on the pitch before being taken away by ambulance and transported to hospital. Play resumed after the medical teams had completed their intervention.

Neither side managed to find another goal during the lengthy period of added time, and the match ended 1-1.

Return Leg Scheduled for 13 August

The qualification battle will be decided on 13 August, when Universitatea Craiova welcome KuPS for the second leg. The match in Craiova is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 local time.

If they eliminate the Finnish champions, Craiova will face the losing side from the tie between Ararat-Armenia and NK Celje in the UEFA Europa League play-offs. The Armenian team won the first leg 2-1.

Should Craiova be eliminated by KuPS, they will continue their European campaign in the UEFA Conference League play-offs. Their potential opponent would be the losing team from the tie between Shamrock Rovers and KF Egnatia, with the Irish side holding a 3-1 advantage after the opening leg.

KuPS Kuopio 1-1 Universitatea Craiova

Goals: Jaime Moreno 72; Ștefan Baiaram 39.

Venue: Kuopion Keskuskenttä, Kuopio
Competition: UEFA Europa League, third qualifying round, first leg

KuPS Kuopio: Hemmo Riihimäki – Akseli Puukko (Calvin Kabuye 60), Brahima Magassa, Kasim Adams Nuhu, Clinton Antwi (captain; Saku Heiskanen 83) – Valentin Gasc (Saku Savolainen 60), Saikou Touray – Joslyn Luyeye-Lutumba (Arttu Heinonen 73), Tommi Jyry, Bob Nii Armah (Piotr Parzyszek 60) – Jaime Moreno.

Head coach: Miika Nuutinen.

Unused substitutes: Kasperi Silén, Niilo Kujasalo, Arttu Lötjönen, Taneli Hämäläinen.

Universitatea Craiova: Laurențiu Popescu – Adrian Rus, Nikola Stevanović, Vladimir Screciu – Carlos Mora, Alexandru Cicâldău (Samuel Teles 59), Anzor Mekvabișvili (Tudor Băluță 90+5), Nicușor Bancu (captain) – Monday Etim (Heriberto Tavares 73), Steven Nsimba (Assad Al Hamlawi 59), Ștefan Baiaram (David Matei 59).

Head coach: Filipe Coelho.

Unused substitutes: Alexandru Maxim, Răzvan Sava, Oleksandr Romanciuk, Alexandru Crețu, Mihnea Rădulescu, Simon Elisor, Luca Băsceanu.

The match was refereed by Ondřej Berka of the Czech Republic, assisted by Matěj Vlček and Kamil Hájek. Pavel Orel served as the fourth official. Portuguese official André Narciso was in charge of VAR, assisted by the Czech Republic’s Karel Rouček.

France’s Alain Sars was the UEFA refereeing observer, while Estonia’s Sergei Hohlov-Simson served as the UEFA delegate.

Yellow cards: Clinton Antwi 36, Adrian Rus 68, Saku Heiskanen 88.

By Sorin Arotăriței