UNA Strassen Exit European Campaign After Defeat to Dundee United

On Thursday 31 July 2025, Luxembourg vice-champions, UNA Strassen, hosted scottish club Dundee United at the Stade Municipal de la Ville de Differdange in the second leg of the second qualifying round of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa Conference League.

Following a 0-1 defeat in the first leg, Veldin Muharemovic’s team needed to score at least once, but faced strong opposition not only on the pitch but also in the stands, where Dundee supporters appeared to outnumber the home crowd. Their presence was noted by Dundee goalkeeper Yevhenii Kucherenko, who joined the Scottish club during the summer transfer window.

“They are incredible supporters,” he said. “For me, it was a shock. Even when we played the first game at home and then the next one away, it felt like we weren’t playing away - it felt like a home match. So it’s just incredible.”

The visitors started the match more actively and created several early chances. However, it was UNA Strassen who first tested the opposing goalkeeper. Zachary Hadji fired a shot on goal, but Yevhenii Kucherenko was equal to the effort.

In the thirteenth minute, Dundee created the most dangerous chance of the early stages. Bert Esselink had an attempt on goal following a corner delivered to the near post. His initial shot, as well as the follow-up effort, was saved by UNA goalkeeper Koray Özcan.

Three minutes later, Zachary Sapsford received a pass from the right edge of the UNA’s penalty area into a central position, but his first-time effort went over the crossbar.

Dundee largely prevented the hosts from building attacking momentum, keeping Veldin Muharemovic’s team under pressure for most of the first half. The Luxembourg side was limited to playing on the counter.

In the 36th minute, Koray Özcan was called into action again, saving a shot from Sapsford. Although the attack continued, the follow-up effort went high.

Just three minutes later, one of Dundee’s most active players, Kristijan Trapanovski, was forced to leave the pitch due to injury and was replaced by Max Watters.

Shortly before half-time, Matheus De Souza had a promising chance for UNA Strassen. Cutting into the box from the right, he fired a low shot that went narrowly wide of the far post.

Despite a few more attempts from both sides, the score remained 0-0 at the break.

The second half began with both teams looking to create chances, although neither was able to produce any meaningful efforts on goal in the opening minutes. In the 53rd minute, UNA Strassen defender Ricardo Delgado attempted a shot from around 20 metres, but it went well wide of Yevhenii Kucherenko’s goal.

Five minutes later, Dundee were awarded a free-kick from approximately 25 metres out, in a central position. Zachary Sapsford took the shot but struck the defensive wall. A minute later, Isaac Pappoe fired from a similar distance, slightly to the right of the box, but his low effort lacked power and was easily collected by Koray Özcan.

Shortly afterwards, clouds gathered over the Stade Municipal de la Ville de Differdange and rain began to fall. Dundee were awarded another free-kick, this time near the left edge of the penalty area. Sapsford, who had been fouled, delivered the cross to the far post, where Iurie Iovu, left unmarked by the UNA defence, headed the ball into the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Veldin Muharemovic’s side pushed to find an equaliser. First came a half-chance from a corner, with a mid-range shot going off target, followed by a more dangerous opportunity in the 74th minute. Nicolas Perez struck from inside the penalty area, but Kucherenko produced a key save to preserve Dundee’s lead.

UNA continued to search for Matheus De Souza with long balls and crosses from the flanks, but the Dundee defence marked him closely and limited his involvement.

Dundee’s attacking line also created a few opportunities, though Özcan remained solid in goal for the hosts.

The match ended 1-0 in favour of Dundee, and with an aggregate score of 2-0, the Scottish side advanced to the third qualifying round of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa Conference League.

Speaking to Chronicle.lu after the match, UNA Strassen head coach Veldin Muharemovic expressed pride in his team’s overall performance across the two legs.“I think the quality of our football over both games was very good. We created chances, especially in the first half today, but unfortunately we didn’t manage to score,” he said. “I’m very proud of how the team played and defended. In my opinion, there was no real difference between a Luxembourg amateur side and the team currently fourth in the Scottish Premiership. The only regret is that we didn’t score in either match, despite having our opportunities.”

UNA Strassen goalkeeper Koray Özcan also spoke to Chronicle.lu following the match, offering his thoughts on the result. “I don’t see much difference between the two teams. Today we were better - very strong physically and tactically. I think we played well,” he said. “We had maybe five or six chances to score, but unfortunately, we didn’t. In football, you have to score - otherwise, it’s impossible to win. Still, I’m very proud of the team and everyone involved. We’re a semi-professional team, but today we showed that the gap between professional and semi-professional isn’t as big as it seems.”

Starting lineups:

FC UNA Strassen: Koray Özcan, Tim Hall, Denis Agovic (c), Ricardo Delgado, Eric Branderburger, Edis Agovic, Diogo Pimentel, Vova, Zachary Hadji, Matheus De Souza, Daryl Myre.

Dundee United FC: Yevhenii Kucherenko, Panutche Camara, Iurie Iovu, Krisztian Keresztes, Bert Esselink, Ivan Dolcek, William Ferry (c), Vicko Ševelj, Kristijan Trapanovski, Zachary Sapsford, Craig Sibbald.