A quartet of Novira Cymru Premier clubs return to competitive action this week in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Conference League.
Following a disappointing European campaign 12 months ago, The New Saints will hope to prove a point in the UEFA Champions League when they take on competition debutants Sabah FK of Azerbaijan – with the first leg away from home on Tuesday (KO 17:00 BST).
Craig Harrison’s side made history by becoming the first Welsh side to reach the League Phase of a major European competition when they did so in the UEFA Conference League in 2024/25, but then lost both of their ties on the continent against Shkendija and Differdange last season.
Harrison has freshened up his squad with a handful of arrivals such as Rhys Hughes from Connah’s Quay Nomads and Dynel Simeu from EFL League Two side Oldham Athletic, while the free-scoring Brad Young is back at Park Hall. Ken Charles, Harrison McGahey and Jordan Marshall have all exited Oswestry.
Despite TNS’ extensive history in Europe, this will be their first meeting with a team from Azerbaijan. Only founded in 2017, Sabah won their country’s top-flight for the first time in their history in the 2025/26 season, ending Qarabag’s run of four consecutive titles. They have also won the domestic cup in each of the last two campaigns.
The Owls have won three of their previous seven European ties, which have seen them reach the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League on each occasions. This will be their first clash with Novira Cymru Premier opposition.
The star man in the squad is Rwanda international winger Joy-Lance Mickels, who scored 28 goals in 36 games in all competitions last season. On the other flank, 20-year-old Aaron Malouda, son of former France and Chelsea star Florent, is a very exciting prospect. 15-cap Poland international Tymoteusz Puchacz registered the most assists in the Azerbaijan Premier League last season (12) from left-back.
The first action in the UEFA Conference League comes on Wednesday evening as Connah’s Quay Nomads meet Kosovan side FC Ballkani at the Blue Turtle Arena in Colwyn Bay (KO 18:30 BST).
The Nomads finished second in the Novira Cymru Premier last season in John Disney’s first campaign in charge, securing a European return after missing out last year. They are aiming to win a tie in Europe for the first time since 2019, when they famously defeated Scottish side Kilmarnock in the UEFA Europa League.
It has been a summer of significant squad upheaval as the Nomads move to a hybrid model, with the hugely influential Rhys Hughes headlining the departures alongside the likes of Noah Edwards and Callum Bratley. Among the arrivals are Iwan Murray and Mikey Stone from the English sixth tier, while Hussein Mehasseb and Darren Stephenson are names more familiar to Novira Cymru Premier fans.
Three-time champions of Kosovo in successive seasons between 2022 and 2024, FC Ballkani finished third in the table last season but scored more goals than anyone else in the division.
They have strong pedigree on the continent, becoming the first Kosovan side to reach the group stage of European competition when they did so in the UEFA Conference League in 2022/23, before repeating the feat in 2023/24.
Former Santos and Ajax prospect Giovanni is a key threat for Mislav Karoglan’s side, with the 24-year-old Brazilian a regular contributor of goals and assists. Striker Valentin Serebe was the team’s top scorer last season with 15 goals, but the two wingers who played either side of him – Bleart Tolaj and Almir Kryeziu – have both departed this summer. 16-cap Montenegrin international Edvin Kuc, who played against Cymru two years ago, is the headline new addition.
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Watch this week’s UEFA Conference League action
Caernarfon Town, who secured their European spot courtesy of winning the Welsh Cup for the first time in their history lasts season, make their much-awaited return to The Oval on Thursday – in front of a sell-out crowd – when they host Estonian side FCI Levadia Tallinn in the UEFA Conference League (KO 18:30).
This is only the Cofis’ second ever European campaign, after they famously defeated Northern Irish side Crusaders on penalties in Belfast on their UEFA Conference League debut two years ago before falling to Polish heavyweights Legia Warsaw in the next round.
Caernarfon have lost some firepower this summer with Brad Young and Adam Davies both departing, but Sion Bradley and Zack Clarke have sealed permanent returns from TNS. Ben Nash, Chris Marriott and Noah Edwards have all signed from Connah’s Quay and bring plenty of European experience.
FCI Levadia Tallinn are currently midway through their domestic campaign and sit seven points clear at the top of the Estonian top-flight, losing only one of their 18 league games so far. They have won the title on 11 previous occasions, most recently in 2024.
Regulars in European competition, Levadia reached the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League last season – their best progress since making the play-off round of the UEFA Europa League in 2009 when they lost to Galatasaray. They have previous against Welsh opposition, defeating The New Saints in 2000 before also triumphing against Bala Town 2013.
Forwards Bubacarr Tambedou and Wendell currently sit top of the Estonian top-flight’s scoring charts with 12 and 10 goals respectively. Defensive trio Frank Liivak, Rasmus Peetson and Tanel Tammik were all part of Estonia’s squad in June which won the Baltic Cup, while five other players have also been capped by the country.
It is a familiar foe for Penybont as they meet Andorran side FC Santa Coloma, who they suffered a 3-1 aggregate defeat to at this exact stage of the UEFA Conference League three years ago. The Cardiff City Stadium hosts the first leg on Thursday (KO 19:45 BST).
Rhys Griffiths’ side were also beaten in their only other previous European tie against Kauno Zalgiris of Lithuania last season, but qualified for the UEFA Conference League again this term after a 2-0 victory over Haverfordwest County in the Play-Off final in May – which remarkably was their first win in 90 minutes since New Year’s Day.
Experienced duo Kane Owen and Clayton Green have been the only notable departures this summer, but there have been a host of impressive additions. Ryan Hill, Eduino Vaz and Max Melbourne all arrive from the English National League, while Tom Shephard has made an eye-catching move from Newport County.
FC Santa Coloma have won the Andorran top-flight on a record 13 occasions, but not since 2019, and finished fourth last season – only qualifying for the UEFA Conference League after the two clubs above them failed to achieve a UEFA licence.
Their victory over Penybont three years ago set them off on their best ever run in Europe as they reached the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round before defeat to Dutch heavyweights AZ Alkmaar.
Defender Moisés San Nicolás earned his 100th cap for Andorra against Kosovo last month and is the only player still at the club from Bont’s previous meetings with FC Santa Coloma. Meanwhile, no player registered more goal involvements in the Andorran top-flight last season than striker Guillaume Lopez (16 goals, three assists).
