# Slovenian clubs advance in Champions League qualifiers

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/slovenian-clubs-champions-league-qualification
> Updated: 2026-07-28T21:02:54.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 2.

Slovenian clubs continued their strong showing in the 2026‑27 UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds. NK Celje secured a place in the third qualifying round after a 2‑2 aggregate draw with Albanian champions KF Egnatia was decided by a 4‑1 penalty shoot‑out on 28 July 2026. The win sets up a clash with Ararat‑Armenia and marks the third consecutive season that a Slovenian side enjoys a European autumn in UEFA competitions.

Earlier, Sturm Graz, Red Star Belgrade, Slovan Bratislava and Dinamo Zagreb all posted 4‑0, 4‑0, 2‑0 and 1‑1 results respectively in the opening round, while Aluminij and Dinamo City each drew in the Conference League qualifiers.

These outcomes keep Slovenian clubs in contention for progression to the group stages across both competitions.

## Claims

- The first leg of the tie ended 3‑3 in Rrogozhinë (corroborated by 11 sources)
- Celje advanced to the third qualifying round of the Champions League to face Ararat‑Armenia (corroborated by 11 sources)
- Celje's win secures a European autumn for Slovenian clubs for the third consecutive year (corroborated by 11 sources)
- Celje defeated Egnatia on penalties after a 2‑2 draw in the second leg of the 2026/27 Champions League qualifiers (corroborated by 10 sources)
- Mario Kvesić scored for Celje in the second leg (corroborated by 10 sources)
- Darko Hrka scored an own goal for Egnatia in the second leg (corroborated by 10 sources)
- Celje won the penalty shootout 4‑1 (corroborated by 10 sources)
- Geralb Smajli equalised for Egnatia in the second leg (corroborated by 9 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-07-28: NK Celje clinches third qualifying round of Champions League

NK Celje beat KF Egnatia 4‑1 on penalties after a 2‑2 aggregate, advancing to the Champions League third qualifying round and delivering a third straight European autumn for Slovenia.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/celje-beats-egnatia-on-penalties-reaches-champions-league-third-round

### 2026-07-22: Celje held to 3‑3 draw by Egnatia in Champions League qualifying

Celje drew 3‑3 with Egnatia in Champions League qualifiers; Aluminij and Dinamo also shared 0‑0 and 1‑1 draws in Conference League qualifiers, while Anderlecht held Hammarby 1‑1.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovenian-clubs-and-players-win-early-champions-league-qualifying-matches

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Cite as: Slovenian clubs advance in Champions League qualifiers. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/slovenian-clubs-champions-league-qualification