Alashkert vs Elimai: what to know about the Armenian club’s opponent in the Conference League

Alashkert will begin their 2026/27 European campaign in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. Vahe Gevorgyan’s team earned the right to play in the tournament after finishing fourth in the Armenian championship.

Alashkert’s first opponent will be Kazakhstan’s Elimai. For the Kazakh club, this will be their debut in European competitions, but they should certainly not be underestimated. Elimai are already in match rhythm, have a more expensive squad and include several experienced players, including members of the Kazakhstan national team.

Elimai are European debutants, but far from an easy opponent

Last season, Elimai finished fourth in the Kazakh championship and qualified for European competitions for the first time.

The new season in Kazakhstan is already underway. After 13 rounds, Elimai sit sixth with 20 points. This could be an advantage for the Kazakh side, as they are already in a competitive rhythm, while Alashkert are only preparing for the new season.

At the same time, this tie cannot be described as clearly unlucky for the Armenian club. Overall, Alashkert and Elimai look like comparable opponents, and the chances of progressing can be considered roughly equal. The Kazakh team have the advantage in terms of match practice and squad value, but Alashkert have European experience and a renewed squad after the summer changes.

Elimai’s squad and market value

The total market value of Elimai’s squad is €6.75 million. For comparison, Alashkert’s squad is valued at €4.91 million.

The Kazakh club have nine foreign players in their squad. In addition, ten players have been called up to national teams: eight for Kazakhstan, one for Togo and one for Belarus.

Ramazan Orazov and Roman Murtazayev deserve special mention. They are important players for the Kazakhstan national team and among Elimai’s key footballers.

Overall, the team is built around experienced players and strong foreign footballers. Even despite their status as European debutants, Elimai look like a serious opponent for the first qualifying round of the Conference League.

Elimai’s most valuable players

Top 5 most valuable players of the Kazakh club:

Ivan Miladinović, centre-back, Serbia — €700,000;

Hrvoje Ilić, attacking midfielder, Croatia — €700,000;

Alibek Zhumakhanov, centre-back, Kazakhstan — €600,000;

Ramazan Orazov, attacking midfielder, Kazakhstan — €450,000;

Eloge Meme Placca Fessou, centre-forward, Togo — €400,000.

Elimai’s top scorer this season is Roman Murtazayev. He has scored seven goals in 15 matches.

In the summer of 2026, Elimai have not made any transfers so far, so the team approaches their European start without major changes to the squad.

What has changed at Alashkert

Alashkert are also heading into European competition with changes in the squad.

The main loss was the departure of starting centre-back Kleider Macedo, who joined Kazakhstan’s Kaisar for €400,000. Midfielder Yuri Gareginian has also left the team, although his departure looks like a less serious loss.

At the same time, Alashkert have already strengthened the squad with three players. Centre-back Cesar, defender Hakob Hakobyan and forward Philip Edjike have joined the team.

These transfers should help Vahe Gevorgyan’s side cover problematic positions, but one important question remains: how quickly will the newcomers adapt to the team before the start of the European campaign?

Who will be the favourite in the tie?

On paper, Elimai have several advantages. The Kazakh club have a more expensive squad, are already in the middle of their season and have enough players with national-team experience.

However, Alashkert have their own arguments. The Armenian club already have European experience, understand the specifics of two-legged ties and have been drawn against an opponent who is not unbeatable. Elimai are only making their debut in European competition, so the pressure factor may also play a role.

This tie can be considered one of the most balanced among the Armenian clubs’ first-round matchups. Alashkert have a good chance of progressing, but to do so they will need to play carefully in defence and prevent Elimai from using their advantage in match rhythm.

CFR could await in the second round

The winner of the Alashkert vs Elimai tie will face Romanian side CFR in the second qualifying round of the Conference League.

That is an opponent of a completely different level. CFR are an experienced European club that regularly play on the international stage and have a significantly more expensive squad.

The Romanian team’s total market value is €22.7 million. CFR have 15 foreign players and 11 footballers who have been called up to national teams: six for Romania and one each for Mauritania, Gambia, Kosovo, Slovenia and the United States.

Last season, CFR finished fourth in the Romanian championship but still qualified for European competition. For either Alashkert or Elimai, this would be a very difficult test.

CFR’s most valuable players

Top 5 most valuable players of the Romanian club:

Meriton Korenica, left winger, Kosovo — €3 million;

Andrei Cordea, right winger, Romania — €3 million;

Matei Ilie, Romania — €2.5 million;

Marian Huja, Portugal — €1.5 million;

Lorenzo Biloboc, right winger, Romania/Italy — €1.5 million.

At the same time, CFR are also going through changes. In the summer of 2026, the team have not yet made any major incoming transfers, but have already lost several important players. Mohamed Camara, Alibek Aliev and Matei Ilie have left the club, while 40-year-old Ciprian Deac has retired.

Despite these losses, CFR remain a serious opponent. Previously, Pyunik under Yeghishe Melikyan already defeated the Romanian club in European competition, but that does not change CFR’s level. For either team from the Alashkert vs Elimai tie, the Romanian side would be the favourite.

Conclusion

For Alashkert, the main task is to get through the first round. Elimai cannot be called an unbeatable opponent, but they are a solid team with a more expensive squad, an ongoing domestic season and experienced players.

The Kazakh club will have the advantage of match rhythm, but their European debut could become an additional pressure factor. Alashkert have chances, especially if the team quickly integrates the newcomers and avoids defensive mistakes.

If the Armenian club get past Elimai, CFR will await them in the second round. There, they will need an almost perfect performance and perhaps a real European upset.

Alashkert’s path in the Conference League does not look easy, but the first obstacle is quite passable. The matches against Elimai will show how ready Vahe Gevorgyan’s team is for the new international season.