Miracle in Andorra: Inter Escaldes reach main phase of UEFA Europa Conference League
On 27.08.2026 Inter Escaldes beat Drita on penalties after a 0:0 home draw and a 2:2 first leg, becoming the first Andorran club to reach the main phase of a UEFA competition.
Inter Escaldes produced a stunning upset on 27.08.2026, securing a place in the main phase of the UEFA Europa Conference League after eliminating Kosovo’s Drita on penalties. The tie had finished 2:2 after the first leg in Kosovo, while the second leg in Andorra ended 0:0 and was decided from the spot.
The penalty shootout victory marked the biggest milestone in Andorran club football: Inter Escaldes will be the first side from Andorra to take part in the main phase of a UEFA competition.
Historic context
Andorran clubs have a modest European history but several noteworthy firsts. In 1997 the Principat team became the first Andorran club to appear in a European competition (the UEFA Cup qualifiers). Ten years later, Santa Coloma recorded the first win for an Andorran club in Europe, a 1:0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the UEFA Cup. In 2009 St. Julià became the first Andorran club to eliminate an opponent in Europe, beating Tre Fiori of San Marino on penalties in Champions League qualifying.
Against that background, Inter Escaldes’ progress to the main draw of the UEFA Europa Conference League represents a watershed moment for football in the Principality and raises the profile of the domestic game.
The elimination will be a bitter outcome for Ardijan Nuhiu and for Drita, whose European campaign ends at the penalty stage.
photo: Andorran Football Federation @Fedandfut (X)
Photo: Federació Andorrana de Futbol @Fedandfut (X)
