Runavik Stun Koper 4-3 on Pens in Europa Conference Drama

Koper’s European dreams disintegrated in the cruelest fashion as NSI Runavik triumphed 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in their UEFA Europa Conference League 2nd Qualifying Round clash, the Faroese visitors surviving a missed penalty in normal time before breaking Slovenian hearts from the spot.

Koper’s Early Nightmare Unfolds

The Slovenian hosts’ evening began ominously when Leo Rimac ballooned a 25th-minute penalty over the bar after Álvaro Roncal’s early yellow card had set the tone for a fractious affair. Runavik’s Beinir Nolsøe made them pay ten minutes later, slotting home Sammy Skytte’s assist to stun the Bonifika Stadium into silence.

Runavik’s Defensive Masterclass

Koper’s frustration grew as Florian Hartherz saw yellow before manager Zoran Zeljkovic’s desperate double substitution on 68 minutes. But Runavik’s backline held firm, with Meinhard Olsen doubling their lead against the run of play just two minutes later – triggering a meltdown that saw Rimac and Luka Baš both booked within 60 seconds.

Late Drama and Penalty Agony

Bamba Ndiaye’s 102nd-minute penalty forced extra time after Runavik collected four yellows in stoppage time, but Michał Przybylski’s 122nd-minute strike appeared decisive until the shootout madness began. Both sides missed two penalties before Runavik’s Jann Benjaminsen, A.F. Elisson, Kjartan Olsen and Daniel Obbekjær held their nerve – with Filip Damjanović’s final miss sending the Faroese bench into raptures.

What This Means

For Runavik, this giant-killing propels them into the 3rd Qualifying Round with belief coursing through Sigurdur Eyjolfsson’s side after surviving 120 minutes of pressure. Koper must regroup quickly – their European campaign ending in the most brutal fashion imaginable after dominating possession but crumbling when it mattered most.