Both Metalurg and Renova are in action today for their second leg matches from the UEFA Europa League first qualification round.

Metalurg hosts Birkirkara from Malta in Kumanovo today at 17.00 CET.  Once again, the fans in Kumanovo will see a European match since the National Arena Philip II of Macedon in Skopje is still not quite ready.  The game will be played under extremely hot weather, but there should be no excuses for Metalurg.  They played a 2:2 draw in Malta, conceding a late equalizer but still scoring two important away goals.  Now, in Macedonia, they have everything to play for in aiming to reach the next round.  Metalurg, in its past two appearances of the Europa League, has failed to advance to the next round in both occasions but that will be considered a big disappointment it it happens again this year against a relatively weaker opponent.  The referee of the match will be Alexander Harkam of Austria. 

With the 4:0 result from the first leg in Macedonia, Renova travels to San Marino for the second leg of the match-up against Libertas.  With Renova’s thoughts already pointed to the second round where they will meet Belarussian side Gomel, the club from Djepchishte still has 90 minutes in front of them.  Libertas should be no match for Renova who is expected to notch another win and raise the Macedonian coefficient in the European competitions.  Anything besides a win against a team from San Marino would be considered a failure.  The game kicks-off at 20.30 CET and will be played at the Stadio Olimpico in Serravalle.  The referee of this match will be Robert Rogers from the Republic of Ireland.