# OFI Crete eliminates CSKA Sofia from Europa League > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cska-sofia-2026-preseason-camp > Updated: 2026-09-01T20:21:24.000Z. Sources: 143. Developments: 26. Following OFI Crete’s 3-0 victory in the first leg of the Europa League playoff on 20 August, CSKA Sofia prepared for the decisive second leg at the Vasil Levski National Stadium on 27 August. While CSKA Sofia released tickets and addressed squad availability, statistical models gave the Bulgarian side only an 11% chance of advancement. On 27 August, OFI Crete secured qualification for the Europa League League Phase by defeating CSKA Sofia 2-0 in the second leg, resulting in a 5-0 aggregate victory. Tiago Nous opened the scoring in the 36th minute, and Giannis Theodorosoulakis added a second in the 78th minute. Despite early pressure from the hosts, OFI Crete maintained defensive stability, supported by goalkeeper Christogeorgos. This second consecutive defeat in the matchup confirms CSKA Sofia’s elimination from the Europa League. Following the loss, CSKA Sofia head coach Hristo Yanev and defender Teodor Ivanov noted that the team lacked clinical finishing and defensive organization. As a result, CSKA Sofia will proceed to compete in the UEFA Conference League. Following the draws in Monaco, OFI Crete’s upcoming Europa League League Phase schedule, set to begin in mid-September 2026, includes matches against Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica, Rennes, Anderlecht, Sturm Graz, Lech Poznan, Hoffenheim, and Hapoel Beer Sheva. Club officials expressed optimism regarding the draw, stating that ‘the sky is the limit’ for the team. As OFI Crete prepares for these fixtures, the club must navigate UEFA squad registration deadlines. Greek representatives, including OFI, Olympiacos, AEK, and Panathinaikos, are required to submit player lists for their respective European competitions by 00:59 Greek time on 3 September. While the domestic transfer window remains open until 15 September, any players registered after the UEFA deadline will be ineligible for the League Phase. ## Claims - CSKA Sofia defeated Qarabağ FK in a Europa League third qualifying round tie after a 0‑0 draw and winning the penalty shoot‑out 5‑4. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The match was held at Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Goalkeeper Fiodor Lapouhov made crucial saves during regular time and the penalty shoot‑out. (corroborated by 11 sources) - CSKA Sofia will face Maccabi Tel Aviv in the next Europa League round. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Marko Yankovich and Yoannis Pitas scored the first successful penalties for CSKA in the shoot‑out. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The match lasted 120 minutes without goals before proceeding to penalties. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Hristo Yanev is the head coach of CSKA Sofia. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Qarabağ will compete in the UEFA Conference League and face Dynamo Kyiv on 6 August and 13 August. (corroborated by 11 sources) - CSKA Sofia eliminated Qarabağ (Karabakh) 5‑4 on penalties after a 0‑0 draw in the Europa League second qualifying round. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Yanev will keep the same starting lineup as the first leg for the revanchist match. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The revanchist match is scheduled for Thursday at 21:00 at Vasil Levski Stadium. (corroborated by 3 sources) - James Eto’o will be available for the match, likely as a substitute. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-01: Greek football clubs submit UEFA rosters for European competitions Four Greek football clubs—AEK, Olympiacos, OFI, and Panathinaikos—have submitted their official rosters to UEFA for their respective European competition campaigns. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-football-clubs-submit-uefa-rosters-for-european-competitions ### 2026-08-29: Greek football clubs face UEFA squad registration deadlines Greek clubs Olympiacos, AEK, OFI, and Panathinaikos face a September 3 deadline to register squads for UEFA competitions, amid statistical projections for their performance in the upcoming League Phases. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-football-clubs-face-uefa-squad-registration-deadlines ### 2026-08-27: Greek football clubs learn UEFA European competition opponents Greek clubs Olympiacos, OFI, Panathinaikos, and AEK have drawn their opponents for the UEFA Europa, Conference, and Champions League League Phases. 58 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ofi-fc-issues-fan-safety-instructions-for-cska-sofia-playoff ### 2026-08-19: Greek clubs see mixed UEFA qualifying results OFI Crete secured a dominant 3-0 win over CSKA Sofia in Europa League qualifiers, while PAOK and Panathinaikos drew their respective Conference League playoff matches. 61 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ofi-crete-prepares-for-europa-league-playoffs-against-cska-sofia ### 2026-08-15: OFI Crete FC prepares for Europa League playoffs against CSKA Sofia OFI Crete FC prepares for Europa League playoffs against CSKA Sofia amid high ticket demand and celebrations of their recent Super Cup victory. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ofi-crete-fc-prepares-for-europa-league-playoffs-against-cska-sofia ### 2026-08-12: CSKA Sofia advances to Europa League playoffs after Maccabi Tel Aviv clash CSKA Sofia advanced to the Europa League playoffs with a 4-3 aggregate win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, despite a 1-3 loss in the second leg in Sofia. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-coach-warns-against-complacency-ahead-of-maccabi-rematch ### 2026-08-06: CSKA Sofia beats Maccabi Tel Aviv 3-0 in Europa League qualifier CSKA Sofia won 3-0 away at Maccabi Tel Aviv in a closed‑door Europa League qualifier, giving them a solid lead for the second leg against OFI Crete. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-secures-3-0-win-over-maccabi-tel-aviv-in-batumi ### 2026-08-04: Maccabi Tel Aviv faces CSKA Sofia in Europa League qualifier in Batumi Maccabi Tel Aviv and CSKA Sofia clash on 6 Aug 2026 in Batumi for the Europa League third‑round qualifier, with both sides seeking a win after strong prior results; betting odds favour a low‑scoring draw. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-readies-for-europa-league-match-against-maccabi-tel-aviv ### 2026-07-30: CSKA Sofia beats Qarabağ on penalties to reach Europa League play‑offs CSKA Sofia knocked out Qarabağ after a 0‑0 draw, winning 5‑4 on penalties, and will face Maccabi Tel Aviv; UEFA has halted ticket sales for the Batumi match. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-advances-past-qarabag-on-penalties-to-europa-league-third-qualifying-round ### 2026-07-28: CSKA Sofia prepares for Europa League revanch against Qarabag CSKA Sofia hosts Qarabag in a Thursday 21:00 Europa League second‑leg at Vasil Levski, after a 0‑0 first leg; coach Hristo Yanev calls for fan support, James Eto’o available, and aims to advance. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-coach-hristo-yanev-prepares-team-for-europa-league-clash-with-qaraba ### 2026-07-23: CSKA Sofia draws 0‑0 with Qarabağ in Baku, revanch set for July 30 CSKA Sofia and Qarabağ drew 0‑0 in Baku after a VAR‑disallowed goal; both coaches praised the contest and a decisive return leg is set for July 30 in Sofia. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-to-face-qaraba-in-europa-league-tie-at-bakus-tofik-bahramov-stadium ### 2026-07-21: UEFA fines CSKA Sofia €50,000 and bans ticket sales after Nazi salute incident UEFA fined CSKA Sofia €50,000, barred ticket sales for its next away match and set a conditional two‑year suspension after fans performed Nazi salutes during a Europa League qualifier with Derry City. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uefa-fines-cska-sofia-50000-and-bans-ticket-sales-after-nazi-salute-incident ### 2026-07-20: CSKA Sofia prepares for Europa League clash with Qarabağ in Baku CSKA Sofia boss Georgi Nikolov says his team must show heroism against experienced Qarabağ in their Europa League qualifier in Baku, while Qarabağ coach Gurban Gurbanov stresses caution and adaptability for the 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-receives-favorable-draw-in-europa-league-qualifiers ### 2026-07-16: Derry City Europa League match disrupted by crowd trouble Crowd violence before and during Derry City’s Europa League tie with CSKA Sofia injured a police officer, forced fans onto the pitch, delayed the match and saw Derry lose 2‑1, ending their campaign. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/police-intervene-as-crowd-trouble-disrupts-derry-citys-europa-league-match ### 2026-07-14: CSKA Sofia reaches Europa League second round with 2-1 win over Derry City CSKA Sofia beat Derry City 2‑1 (5‑3 agg.) to reach the Europa League second qualifying round, despite a 15‑minute stoppage from fan trouble and the absence of two Belarusian players denied visas. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-advances-in-europa-league-after-21-win-over-derry-city ### 2026-07-12: CSKA Sofia plans line‑up changes for Derry City replay CSKA Sofia coach Hristo Yanev will tweak the defence, midfield and attack for the second leg against Derry City in Northern Ireland after a 3‑2 first‑leg win, and former keeper Stoyan Kolev believes the Bulgars 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-plans-lineup-changes-for-derry-city-replay ### 2026-07-09: CSKA Sofia beats Derry City 3-2 in Europa League qualifier CSKA Sofia defeated Derry City 3-2 in the Europa League first‑leg qualifier, with coach Hristo Yanev praising the attack but flagging defensive errors before the return match. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-beats-derry-city-3-2-in-europa-league-qualifier ### 2026-07-07: CSKA Sofia to face Derry City in Europa League qualifier CSKA Sofia meets Derry City on 9 July 2026 at 21:00 in a Europa League qualifier, broadcast on Diema Sport; CSKA are favoured to win after a strong pre‑season camp. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-to-face-derry-city-in-europa-league-qualifier ### 2026-07-03: CSKA Sofia beats Marek Dupnitsa 3-0 in pre‑season friendly CSKA Sofia defeated Marek Dupnitsa 3‑0 in a friendly, with goals from Stefano Sensi, Petko Panayotov and Yоanis Pitаs, ahead of their Europa League qualifier versus Derry City. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-beats-marek-dupnitsa-3-0-in-preseason-friendly ### 2026-06-30: CSKA announces ticket sales for Europa League tie against Derry City CSKA will sell tickets for its July 9 Europa League home match against Derry City at Sofia’s Vasil Levski Stadium, with sales starting July 1 and prices ranging from €12 to €100. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-announces-ticket-sales-for-europa-league-tie-against-derry-city ### 2026-06-28: CSKA Sofia takes on Odra Opole in pre‑season friendly in Austria CSKA Sofia plays Odra Opole in a pre‑season friendly in Salzburg on Sunday, streamed online; both teams are gearing up after mixed results in the summer camp. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-takes-on-odra-opole-in-preseason-friendly-in-austria ### 2026-06-20: CSKA beats Brinje 2-1 in Austrian friendly as Joël Czarz scores on debut CSKA defeated Brinje 2‑1 in Salzburg, with Joël Czarz scoring on debut; coach Hristo Yanev stressed preparation over the result. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-beats-brinje-2-1-in-austria-friendly-czwarc-scores-on-debut ### 2026-06-19: CSKA Sofia sets pre‑season friendlies in Austria ahead of Europa League campaign CSKA Sofia starts pre‑season on 10 June, heads to an Austrian camp (16‑30 June) for friendlies versus Brinje Grosuplje, Polissya Zhytomyr and Odra Opole, then faces Marek Dupnitsa before a Europa League debut 9 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-sets-preseason-friendlies-in-austria-ahead-of-europa-league-campaign ### 2026-06-17: CSKA Sofia readies for 2026/27 Europa League qualifiers, eyes summer transfers CSKA Sofia will face Derry City in the 2026/27 Europa League qualifiers (July 9 & 16) and is planning summer signings, including Joël Cvarc and a €2.5 m bid for Argentine defender Erik Mesa. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-readies-for-202627-europa-league-qualifiers-eyes-summer-transfers ### 2026-06-16: CSKA Sofia departs for Austria pre‑season training camp CSKA Sofia traveled to Austria for a two‑week pre‑season camp, with coach Hristo Yanev emphasizing conditioning, squad selection and preparation for the European competition draw while awaiting possible newsign 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-departs-for-austria-preseason-training-camp ### 2026-06-06: CSKA Sofia starts pre‑season with Austrian camp and Ukrainian friendlies CSKA Sofia begins pre‑season on 10 June, heads to Austria for a two‑week camp with friendlies against Dynamo Kyiv, Polissya Zhytomyr and possibly Qarabağ, and returns for a final match on 3 July; midfielder Isa 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-sofia-starts-preseason-with-austrian-camp-and-ukrainian-friendlies --- Cite as: OFI Crete eliminates CSKA Sofia from Europa League. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cska-sofia-2026-preseason-camp