Ararat-Armenia learn Europa League play-off opponents

Ararat-Armenia have learned their opponents in the UEFA Europa League play-off round. The Armenian club will face Romanian side Universitatea Craiova.

In the second leg of the previous round, the Romanian team defeated Finland’s KuPS 2-1 and advanced to the play-offs with a 3-2 aggregate victory.

The Finnish side opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute through Valentin Gasc. Steven Nsimba converted a penalty in the 43rd minute to level the score, before Carlos Mora scored the winner in the 62nd minute.

Universitatea Craiova began their European campaign in the Champions League. The Romanian club defeated Belarusian side ML Vitebsk 5-1 on aggregate before losing 3-2 to Bulgaria’s Levski.

Universitatea Craiova have already faced Armenian opposition. In the 2025/26 Conference League league phase, the Romanian side drew 1-1 with Noah.

As a reminder, Ararat-Armenia were eliminated by Slovenian side Celje in the third qualifying round of the Champions League and will now play in the Europa League play-offs. If successful, Manuel Tulipa’s team will become the first Armenian club to reach the main stage of the Europa League. The losing team in this tie will play in the main stage of the Conference League.