Shkendija faces Hibernian in Conference League qualifying opener
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 5, 2026, 10:15 AM
Last updated Aug 5, 2026
Hibernian will host North Macedonia's Shkendija on August 6 in the first leg of the Conference League third qualifying round. After a comeback victory over Kosovo's Malisheva, where they won 4-3 on aggregate, Hibernian aims to secure another win. Shkendija, who has advanced through two rounds, defeated Gibraltar's Europa and Slovenia's Bravo, with significant contributions from players like Endrit Krasniqi and Marko Gjorgjievski. Last season, Shkendija reached the league phase of the Conference League before exiting in the knockout play-off round against Samsunspor.
- •Hibernian hosts Shkendija on August 6 in the first leg.
- •Hibernian won their previous tie 4-3 against Malisheva.
- •Shkendija advanced after defeating Europa and Bravo.
- •Key players for Shkendija include Endrit Krasniqi and Marko Gjorgjievski.
- •Last season, Shkendija reached the knockout play-off round.
- 1:49 PMYahoo Sports — Gray on Belgrade repeat, being more clinical & injury latest
- 10:15 AMYahoo Sports — Hibs' opponents Shkendija target successive league phase appearances
"Hibernian head coach David Gray has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face FK Shkendija in Conference League qualifying. Gray admits the third qualifying round is "certainly a step up" from their aggregate win over Malisheva but he is confident "we're going in the right direction". This time last year Hibs overcame Partizan Belgrade at the same stage of the competition and Gray stresses "it's going to take a level of performance like that again" to overcome Shkendija.
"Hibernian's reward for a thrilling comeback win over Kosovo's Malisheva is another Balkan assignment in the shape of North Macedonia's Shkendija. David Gray's side host the Macedonian First Football League runners-up in Thursday's Conference League third qualifying round first leg, after recovering from two down against Malisheva to win 4-3 on aggregate. Artim Pollozhani's side have come through two qualifying rounds.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 5, 2026, 1:49 PMGray on Belgrade repeat, being more clinical & injury latest
Hibernian head coach David Gray has been speaking to the media as his side prepare to face FK Shkendija in Conference League qualifying. Gray admits the third qualifying round is "certainly a step up" from their aggregate win over Malisheva but he is confident "we're going in the right direction". This time last year Hibs overcame Partizan Belgrade at the same stage of the competition and Gray stresses "it's going to take a level of performance like that again" to overcome Shkendija.
- Yahoo SportsAug 5, 2026, 10:15 AMHibs' opponents Shkendija target successive league phase appearances
Hibernian's reward for a thrilling comeback win over Kosovo's Malisheva is another Balkan assignment in the shape of North Macedonia's Shkendija. David Gray's side host the Macedonian First Football League runners-up in Thursday's Conference League third qualifying round first leg, after recovering from two down against Malisheva to win 4-3 on aggregate. Artim Pollozhani's side have come through two qualifying rounds.
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