Celje fall 2-1 to Ararat-Armenia in Champions League qualifying

NK Celje were defeated 2-1 by FC Ararat-Armenia in the first leg of the third qualifying round for the UEFA Champions League in Yerevan. Slovenian forward Svit Sešlar gave Celje the lead with a penalty in the 21st minute, but Ararat equalised in the 38th minute through a long‑range strike by Artur Serobjan. The visitors then took the lead in the 70th minute when Carlos Franca finished a swift counter‑attack.

The loss means Celje must overturn the deficit in the return match at home in Celje a week later to stay in the competition. Advancement would see them face the winner of the Mjällby‑Slovan Bratislava tie, while elimination would drop them into the Europa League qualifiers.