Slovan Bratislava   3
Balzan                     1

Balzan's european run came to a halt on Thursday at Bratislava when the locals were beaten 3-1 by Slovan to bow out of the Europa League on a 4-3 aggregate.

Balzan were close and yet so far, and could have made it with some luck, especially in the first leg in Malta. The goal suffered at Ta' Qali was immediately cancelled out after barely seven minutes play when Slovan Bratislava took the lead with Cavric goal.

This meant that Slovan were already qualified and Balzan had to score to keep their hopes alive. Balzan kept their cool till the end of the first half.On 58 minutes Slovan won a penalty when Sporar was floored by Elkin Serrano, but goalkeeper Steve Sultana saved Cavric's shot.

But Balzan's hopes were dented with two quick goals in the space of sixty seconds on 70 and 71 minutes with Sporar obtaining a brace.

But on 77 minutes Cadu reduced the arrears for Balzan, giving the locals fresh hopes of a stunning comeback as Balzan were only a goal away from another qualification.

But the score remained unchanged with Slovan moving on to the third qualifying round of the competition.

Slovan Bratislava: Michal Sulla, Mitch Apau, Vukan Savicevic (82′ Joeri de Kamps), Mohammed Rharsalla, Andraz Sporar, Dejan Drazic (87′ Filip Holosko), Nono, Kornel Salata, Vasil Bozhikov, Aleksandar Cavric (75′ Boris Cmiljanic).

Balzan: Steve Sultana, Nenad Slivic, Lecao (62′ Alfred Effiong), Steve Bezzina (83′ Andrija Majdevac), Michael Johnson, Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic, Elkin Serrano, Cadu, Bojan Kaljevic, Milos Lepovic (75′ Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte).

Referee: Alexandre Boucaut (Belgium