Balzan’s come from behind victory against Neftchi Baku yesterday in Azerbaijan, was not enough to put the side guided by Oliver Spiteri into the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

Balzan lost the first leg in Kordin last week by two clear goals after a very fine display especially in the second half.

Balzan were in their second experience in european competitions, and yesterday’s victory was a historic one, being their first ever in european competitions, with Lyden Micallef’s goals  another first too.

Neftchi took the lead on 20 minutes through their Brazilian central defender Jairo.

Balzan however did not throw in the towel and were back on level terms on 51 minutes through Lyden Micallef who came on as a substitute for Manevski at the start of the second half.

On 67 minutes Balzan took the lead when Lyden Micallef put through by Alfred Effiong, beat Croatian goalkeeper Santini for the second time.

Balzan were now with a chance of obtaining a stunning qualification with a third goal, but it was not to be, as Neftchi held on to their slender defeat to through 3-2 on aggregate.

 Neftchi Baku: Krsevan Santini, Jairo,  Araz Abdullayev, Elshan Abdullayev, Ruslan Gurbanov, Murad Agayev,  Rahman Hajiyev, Vance Sikov, Magsad Isayev, Dario Melnjak,  Edson Castillo

Balzan: Christian Cassar,  Justin Grioli,  Paul Fenech, Borce Manevski,  Dylan Grima,  Steven Bezzina,  Alfred Effiong, Anderson Francisco, Elkin Serrano,  Oliveira,  Bojan Kaljevic

Referee: Yaroslav Kozyk (Ukraine)

Hibernians          0

Spartak Trnava  3

Hibernians were yesterday beaten by the same scoreline of the first leg by Spartak Trnava, with the side form Slovakia easily qualifying to the next round on a 6-0 aggregate.

Actually there was little hope that Hibernians could turn around the three goal deficit of the first leg, and all their hopes were dashed to the ground after barely four minutes play when Ivan Schranz beat Justin Haber.

Hibernians had two very good opportunities through Varea and Failla with both shots missing the target by a whisker. On 35 minutes Spartak Trnava were unlucky when Tambe shot hit the upright.

Twelve minutes into the second half Spartak doubled the score when substitute Matej Oravec beat Haber with an angled drive. Deep in stoppage time Trnava scored their third an final goal through Babatounde Bello.

Hibernians: Justin Haber,  Jonathan Pearson, Jackson Lima, Rodolfo Soares, Marcelo Dias, Bjoern Kristensen, Clayton Failla, Juan Manuel Varea, Renan, Andre Agius, Jorginho.

Spartak Trnava: Adam Jakubech, Babatounde Bello, Martin Mikovic, Peter Cogley, Matus Conka, Boris Godal, Ivan Schranz, Emir Halilovic, Eder Araujo, Ndip Tambe, Lukas Gressak

Referee: Anastasios Papapetrou (Greece)