Olimpija Ljubljana - Getting to Know Noah's Conference League Rival

August 21 at Stožice Stadium in Ljubljana will see the start of the first playoff match of the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League. Armenian champion Noah will face Slovenia’s main club, Olimpija. The two-legged clash promises to be intense: the winner will advance to the group stage of the tournament.

Olimpija: A Club of History and Ambition

Olimpija is one of Slovenia’s oldest clubs, founded in 1945 in the capital city. In the 1990s, the team dominated the national championship, winning four consecutive titles as well as multiple Slovenian Cups and Super Cups.

In 2004, the club was dissolved due to financial problems, but a new team appeared in 2005. The modern Olimpija is officially considered a new club, with its history starting in 2005, but it quickly became a leading force in Slovenian football. Since the mid-2010s, Olimpija has won the national title four times, including the most recent 2024/25 season.

Stadium, Fans, Atmosphere

The team’s home ground is Stožice Stadium, opened in 2010. It is a modern arena with a capacity of over 16,000 spectators, the largest in Slovenia. A special pride of the club is its supporters’ group, the Green Dragons, famous for their vibrant support and colorful performances. The club’s symbol—the dragon—has also become a symbol of Ljubljana itself.

Squad and Changes

After the championship season, Olimpija underwent major changes. Almost all the main defenders left the team, including David Sualehe, who transferred to Noah. The team’s leader, Raul Florucz, was sold for €5 million to Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise.

At the same time, the club made significant reinforcements. Among the new arrivals are North Macedonia international forward Dimitar Mitrovski and defender Jost Urbančič.

The season began with difficulties: after a 0–5 defeat to Celje, head coach Jorge Simão was dismissed. He was replaced by Dutchman Erwin van de Looi. Under his management, Olimpija lost 1–3 to Koper, but then beat Albania’s Egnatia in extra time in the Conference League.

Despite the departures, the squad remains strong. Key players include:

• Álex Blanco — experienced Spanish winger with appearances in La Liga and Serie B.

• Alex Tamm — Estonia national team striker, who scored 28 goals in 2024 and 6 goals in 12 matches in Slovenia.

• Dimitar Mitrovski — a regular for North Macedonia’s national team, with 17 youth appearances and 7 goals. He is the squad’s most valuable player, worth €1.5 million.

• Antonio Marin — Dinamo Zagreb academy product, four-time Croatian champion, and a regular in Croatia’s youth national teams.

However, there is concerning news: central midfielder Agustín Doffo suffered a concussion in the last match and may miss the first leg.

Armenia vs. Slovenia in European Competitions: Head-to-Head History

Clubs from Armenia and Slovenia have met five times in European competitions. Armenian sides managed just one win:

• 2002/03, Europa League: Zvartnots Yerevan – Primorje 3–6

• 2017/18, Europa League: Shirak – Gorica 2–4

• 2020/21, Europa League: Ararat-Armenia – Celje 1–0 (single match due to pandemic)

• 2021/22, Conference League: Urartu – Maribor 0–2

• 2023/24, Conference League: Pyunik – Celje 2–4

History shows an advantage for Slovenian clubs, but Armenian sides are ready to fight and surprise.

Forecast and Expectations

Noah faces a serious opponent. Olimpija maintains a high level of play, and its new signings along with an experienced coach could be key factors. The first match in Ljubljana promises to be spectacular—with the dragon in the stands, vibrant fan support, and a true battle for a place in the Conference League group stage.

Match: Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia) vs. Noah (Armenia)
Date: August 21, Ljubljana
Kick-off: 22:00 Yerevan time

Also read:

• Olimpija head coach: “Chances against Noah are 50–50.”

• Sandro Perković: “We deserve to play in Europe and will fight for victory.”

• “Everything here is familiar, but now I play for Noah” — David Sualehe