Rabotnicki and Renova are the first Macedonian clubs that will start their adventure in Europe with todays Europa League First qualifying round matches against Trans and Glentoran.

Rabotnicki is in Tallinn where today at 17.30 CET will face Estonian side Trans from the town of Narva. Their stadium doesn’t fullfill the standarts for international matches, so the game will be played at the Lilleküla Arena in Estonia’s capital. Trans is a team formed in 1979 and is one of the two teams (the other is Flora) that have never been relegated from the Meistriliiga, the top division of Estonian football pyramid. They haven’t won the league, but once won the Cup in 2001 and twice the Super Cup in 2007 and 2008. Manager is Russian Alexei Yagudin and there are 10 internationals in the squad among which 3 Russians, 2 latvians and 5 Lithuanians. However, only Marius Bezykornovas has national team caps, 7 for Lithuania (last in 2003). The Estonian League is currently active and Trans is 4th with 8 points less than leaders Flora and two games more. According to the bookies, Rabotnicki even as a visitor is a firm favorite with a 1.65 for away win, 3.70 for draw and 4.90 for home win.

Renova is hosting Northen Irish team Glentoran from Belfast with a kick-off at 20.30 CET. Same like Trans, Renova’s stadium in Tetovo isn’t available for international games, so they will play in Skopje’s National Arena Philip II of Macedon. The visitors are one of Europe’s oldest clubs as they are formed in 1882! They’ve been 23 times champions of the Northern Irish league, 20 times holders of the Cup, 7 times of the League Cup and have won many other trophies. The squad is led by Scottish manager Scott Young, while the team is consisted of domestic players with only one foreigner, Ciarán Martyn from the neighbouring Ireland. What Paolo Maldini is for Milan, Colin Nixon is for Glentoran. The 32 years old right back has played for this club for all of his professional career plus is a Glentoran supporter, fan’s favourite and has played in over 700 games since 1995. The squad also has two players with national team caps, Gary Hamilton and Stephen Carson, both for Northern Ireland. Last season Glentoran ended 3rd in the domestic league. According to the bookies, Renova is also a firm favorite with a 1.25 for home win, 5.25 for a draw and 10.50 for away win.

The return legs are scheduled for 7 July in Skopje and Belfast.