# Northern European clubs in UEFA Conference League

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/northern-european-clubs-in-uefa-conference-league
> Updated: 2026-08-13T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 3.

In late July, Estonian sides Paide Linnameeskond and FC Flora secured progression in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers, with Paide winning 2–1 on aggregate over Azerbaijan's Zira FK and Flora advancing after a penalty shoot-out against Wales' The New Saints. Other Estonian clubs, FCI Levadia and Nõmme Kalju, were eliminated.

A few days later, the draw for the third qualifying round placed all four Finnish qualifiers into challenging match-ups: KuPS versus Romania's Universitatea Craiova, Inter Turku against Vaduz, HJK against Motherwell, and Ilves Tampere versus Rijeka.

By mid-August, the results of these matchups began to shape the play-off stage. HJK's European campaign ended following a 0–2 loss to Motherwell. However, FC Inter and KuPS both advanced to the UEFA Conference League qualifying play-offs. FC Inter secured their spot after a 2–2 draw against Vaduz, winning 4–3 on aggregate. KuPS progressed to the play-offs following their exit from the Europa League qualifiers against Universitatea Craiova, losing 2–3 on aggregate. 

In the play-off round, FC Inter is scheduled to face FC Copenhagen, while KuPS will compete against the Irish champions, Shamrock Rovers. Both Finnish clubs are competing for a place in the league stage, which offers a participation fee of approximately 3.17 million euros.

## Claims

- FC Inter has advanced to the Conference League qualifying play-offs. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- FC Inter defeated Vaduz with a 4–3 aggregate score. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- HJK was eliminated from European competition after losing 0–2 to Motherwell. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- KuPS dropped to the Conference League qualifying play-offs after losing 2–3 on aggregate to Universitatea Craiova. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The participation fee for the Conference League league stage is approximately 3.17 million euros. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- FC Inter previously defeated Istanbul Basaksehir. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-13: FC Inter and KuPS advance to Conference League play-offs

Finnish clubs FC Inter and KuPS advance to the UEFA Conference League qualifying play-offs, chasing significant prize money and a spot in the league stage.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fc-inter-and-kups-advance-to-conference-league-play-offs

### 2026-08-03: Finnish clubs face tough opponents in Europa Conference League draw

Four Finnish clubs enter the Europa Conference League third qualifying round, facing opponents from Romania, Liechtenstein, Scotland, and Croatia, with potential further ties against teams from Armenia, Denmark

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/finnish-clubs-face-tough-opponents-in-europa-conference-league-draw

### 2026-07-30: Paide Linnameeskond and FC Flora advance in UEFA Conference League

Paide Linnameeskond and FC Flora move to the Conference League third round, while FCI Levadia and Nõmme Kalju are eliminated.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paide-linnameeskond-and-fc-flora-advance-in-uefa-conference-league

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Cite as: Northern European clubs in UEFA Conference League. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/northern-european-clubs-in-uefa-conference-league