The UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round opens with Andorran runners-up Atlètic Club d'Escaldes hosting Montenegrin side FK Mornar Bar on 9 July 2026 at the Estadi Nacional in Andorra la Vella, with the return leg following on 16 July in Montenegro. Mornar come in as favourites given their stronger domestic league but Escaldes have European experience and home advantage that could make the first leg hard to settle.
Dani Luque has guided Escaldes through several successful domestic seasons, winning the Supercopa and making prior UEFA appearances, though there are reports of a possible handover to Martí Riverola around mid-2026. Vesko Stesevic took charge of Mornar in September 2025 after succeeding Zoran Duraskovic, with Simo Medigovic alongside him as assistant and neither coach has faced the other at senior level.
Escaldes arrive with two wins, a draw and two defeats from their last five, with the inconsistency most visible away from Andorra la Vella. Mornar, by contrast, are unbeaten in five with two wins and three draws and have been particularly hard to score against on the road, a goalless pre season friendly away from home fitting the pattern of a side that concedes little when travelling.
Jovan Dasic is the one absentee of note, the Mornar midfielder suspended for the first leg, while both squads are otherwise available. Escaldes are expected to set up in a counter attacking shape with Adrià Muñoz in goal and Marcos Blasco, Emanoel and Juan Barragán forming the defensive line and central midfield. Mornar will likely line up behind either Benjamin Krijestarac or Stefan Popovic, with Durisic, Rovcanin, Vujnovic, Yao and Zoric in midfield and attack, Nikola Vujnovic and Balsa Sekulic as the primary scoring options.
Escaldes will look to hit Mornar on the counter, looking to spring their wingers in behind a back line that defends deep and rarely opens up under Stesevic. Their domestic scoring record is modest and European ties have tended to suit their defensive structure more than their attacking ambitions. The positional contest that matters most is between Mornar's Yao and Vujnovic and Escaldes' collective midfield block: whether Mornar can progress through the lines or are forced to go long will shape how the game unfolds.
The two sides have never met at senior level, leaving Escaldes' home pitch as the one tangible variable in their favour. Bookmakers have Mornar at roughly 55 to 60% to advance, reflecting the gap in league quality. With both defences well organised, Escaldes may look to manufacture opportunities from set pieces rather than through the middle, where they tend to create little.
Mornar's away defensive record is strong enough that Escaldes, who are not prolific at home, may struggle to break them down and Dasic's suspension reduces Stesevic's options in central midfield, making a 0-0 the most likely first leg result. Mornar have more to protect over two legs given their league standing, while Escaldes need a first leg foothold to keep the tie alive heading to Montenegro, where the gap in squad quality may become harder to absorb.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
