UEFA Conference League PREVIEW 11 Aug 2026: Apollon defend 1-0 lead over Brann; Panathinaikos level with CSKA 1948

Apollon host Brann holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Norway, in the second leg of their Conference League third qualifying round tie. Brann reached this round by knocking out Romanian side U. Cluj, drawing 2-2 in Romania and winning 3-1 at home; Apollon came through against Dila Gori, winning 4-0 in Georgia and 3-0 in the return.

There was little in the first leg beyond the goal. A. Ozbolt put Apollon in front on 22 minutes and was booked on the stroke of half-time; N. Castro was cautioned on 47 minutes and K. Eriksen on 90, P. Kuhn was booked on 78 for Apollon, and Brann never found the equaliser. They go to Cyprus a goal down with the tie still open.

CSKA 1948 Sofia host Panathinaikos with the tie level at 1-1 from Athens, where A. Jagusic put Panathinaikos ahead on 21 minutes and G. Rusev levelled on 31. Panathinaikos came through against Hungarian side Paks, winning 2-1 in Hungary before a 2-2 draw at home. CSKA 1948 got here the hard way, drawing 0-0 with Trnava home and away and winning the shootout 5-3.