Ararat-Armenia Makes History as First Armenian Club to Reach Europa League Main Stage

Ararat-Armenia made history in Yerevan on Thursday, defeating Romania’s Universitatea Craiova 2-1 to become the first Armenian club to reach the main stage of the UEFA Europa League.

The Armenian champions secured the breakthrough at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium after the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw.

The result sends Ararat-Armenia into the Europa League league phase, marking a first for Armenian club football in the competition.

Portuguese head coach Manuel Tulipa named Bravim, Oliveira, Bueno, Banjaki, Grigoryan, Muradyan, Wilson, Malis, Beni, Serobyan and Lima in his starting lineup for the decisive playoff match.

Ararat-Armenia entered the second leg knowing it had already secured at least a place in the UEFA Conference League league phase. The victory over Craiova instead earned the Yerevan club a place in the Europa League, UEFA’s second-tier club competition.

The qualification gives Armenia its first representative in the Europa League’s main stage.

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