PAOK has advanced to the third round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers after securing another victory against Borac in the second-leg match, winning 0-1 in Banja Luka. With a 3-2 win from the first leg in Thessaloniki, the Greek champions comfortably move forward in the competition, where they will face Malmö from Sweden.
On the other hand, Borac did not disgrace themselves—in fact, they were almost equal rivals to PAOK in both matches. One of the standout memories from this tie is the incredible atmosphere at the City Stadium in Banja Luka. Over 10,000 fans created an electrifying environment, with an impressive choreography and passionate, yet respectful, support, showcasing that Borac, Banja Luka, and Republika Srpska are integral parts of Europe.
Borac will continue their European journey in the UEFA Europa League, where they will face the Faroe Islands’ representative, Ki Klaksvik. Should they falter in that tie, Borac would then enter the playoff round for the UEFA Conference League.
The decisive goal was scored by Thomas Murg in the 25th minute. Neither before nor after that goal were there many clear-cut chances in front of Borac’s goal. Admittedly, the home side also didn’t pose much of an offensive threat, as they sought to capitalize on counterattacks for any opportunity. A narrow defeat against a Greek team can be seen as a solid result at this point, offering hope that this club will continue to grow year by year, with consistent participation in European competitions being key to further success.
The match was attended by numerous public figures from various walks of life, including the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, Prime Minister Radovan Višković, and the Presidents of the Football Association of Republika Srpska (FSRS) and the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FSBiH) Vico Zeljković.
Source: RTRS
