Milsami players failed to start their Champions League performance with a win // Photo: facebook.com
KuPS midfielder Otto Ruoppi scored the only goal in the 73rd minute of the match against Emil Tymbur. Milsami” footballers made 7 shots on the opponents’ goal, one of which was in the net. KuPS had 11 shots on goal of the club from Orhei, and the only shot in the net was effective.
A team of Latvian referees consisting of Vitalijs Spasionnikovs, Raimonds Tatriks, Arturs Šakurovs and Kristaps Ratnieks officiated the match in Kuopio. The match took place at KuPS’ home stadium in Kuopio, Finland – Väre Areena. According to UEFA, the first match of the Champions League caused a stir among the fans of the Finnish club. The 5,000-capacity stadium was completely full.
The head coach of “Milsami” Igor Pikuschak noted after the match that the recent defeat from “Sheriff” (1:2) in the Moldovan Super League and the long road to the venue of the Champions League match influenced the condition of his charges. KuPS coach Jarkko Viss, in turn, called the tactics of the opponents expected and was satisfied with the game of his team.
The return match will be held at the Orhei Municipal Stadium on July 15.
“Milsami” became the first Moldovan club to start the European Cup campaign this season. “Sheriff will start playing in the Europa League on July 10, when it will play its first match against Priština from unrecognized Kosovo at the home stadium in Tiraspol. Petrocub (Hincesti) will have an away match against Birkirkara (Malta) on the same day, within the first qualifying round of the Conference League (CL). “Zimbru” (Chisinau) will enter the fight in the second qualifying round of the LC – July 24 on the road will play the first match with “Astana” (Kazakhstan).
