Shkupi and Makedonija GjP joined Akademija Pandev in the Europa League qualifiers while Sileks will enter the relegation play-off. That is the outcome of today’s last round in the Macedonian top flight.

photo by FC Shkupi Skopje: the players of Shkupi erupt in joy after the final whistle

Europa League derby took place between Rabotnichki and Shkupi with the hosts looking forward to take at least a point while the visitors needed the win.

It was a tough match for both sides who played very carefully. No goals were scored until six minutes from time since there were not many real chances. In the 84th minute substitute Chinedu perfectly served Ilijoski and the veteran striker could not miss.

In the 89th minute Veliu served Ustabaşı in the box who equalized the score. In the very next minute the same duo shocked Rabotnichki. Veliu again found Ustabaşı in the box who this time scored on a header.

With this win Shkupi cemented the fourth place and qualified for Europa League. Rabotnichki is left without an international summer for the first time after five years.

National Arena Toshe Proeski in Skopje
Rabotnichki – Shkupi 2:1 (0:0)
Goals: 84′ Bazhe Ilijoski – 89′, 90′ Berat Jonathan Ustabaşı
Red cards: 90′ Stojan Stojchevski (R)
Referee: Marjan Gocevski (Strumica)

Champions Shkendija fielded a team compiled with youth and reserve players in a match with big importance for their rival Renova. The Red and black team took a surprising lead through Ljuma in the 12th minute, but that was everything their young players managed to do. Before the break Ramadani scored a quick brace to turn the result around, while thirteen minutes from time Useini confirmed the points. Four minutes from time Shkendija scored a second, but it was too late to prevent the defeat.

With this win Renova escaped the chance of ending at the relegation play-off spot, leaving Sileks there. Interesting, this was their first win over Shkendija after four years!

Gradski stadium in Tetovo
Renova – Shkendija 3:2 (2:1)
Goals: 41′, 44′ Emran Ramadani, 77′ Muhamed Useini – 12′ Ensar Ljuma, 86′ Besmir Bojku
Referee: Albrim Shakjiri (Struga)

The Lions had to beat dead-last Pobeda on the road in order to take that Europa League spot left by Vardar who was denied a UEFA license. They had no problems taking the points today and will participate in the UEL for the first time since the summer of 2009. Makedonija GjP ended up equal on points with Renova, but since they are better in the head-to-head encounters they grab the UEL spot.

Nikola Mantov stadium in Kochani
Pobeda – Makedonija GjP 1:3 (0:1)
Goals: 82′ Yannick Makota – 39′ Benjamin Demir, 51′ Bobi Bozhinovski, 70′ Ilirid Ademi
Red cards: 86′ Daniel Kotevski (P)
Referee: Josip Barton (Skopje)

Sileks had to celebrated over Belasica, which they did harder than expected, but since Renova beat Shkendija the Kratovo based team stays at the relegation play-off spot. Whey will face the winner of the clash between second league East and West runners-up Tikvesh and Labinishta.

Sileks stadium in Kratovo
Sileks – Belasica 2:1 (1:0)
Goals: 6′ Filip Duranski, 72′ Boban Georgiev – 66′ Hristijan Denkovski
Referee: Krumislav Gjorgiev (Shtip)

Cup winners Akademija Pandev and runners-up Vardar played a match without any importance for both. At the end the shared the points with two goals in the second half.

Mladost stadium in Strumica
Akademija Pandev – Vardar 1:1 (0:0)
Goals: 75′ Dime Dimov – 65′ Juan Felipe
Referee: Marjan Markoski (Ohrid)

Final standings:

Head-to-heads record:

Makedonija GjP vs. Renova
3:1
0:0
1:2
1:1
Makedonija GjP wins the tie with a better goal-difference.