Slovan Bratislava qualifies for Champions League league phase

Slovan Bratislava secured a spot in the Champions League league phase on August 26, 2026, after defeating Celje with a 2-1 victory in extra time. The aggregate score of 3-2 favored the Slovakian side, marking their return to the competition after a two-year absence.

The match saw Andraz Sporar open the scoring for Slovan in the 18th minute with a notable chip shot. Celje equalized in the 34th minute through a penalty converted by Seslar. After a draw in regulation time, Martinez scored the decisive goal in the 100th minute of extra time to clinch the win for the team managed by Yaya Toure. Former Panathinaikos striker Sporar and Benjamin Verbic both participated in the match for their respective sides.

This victory concludes the qualification playoffs for Slovan Bratislava, successfully advancing them to the next stage of the European tournament. The team now prepares to compete in the expanded league phase format of the Champions League.