Andorra has made history with its first-ever representation in the group stages of European football competitions. Inter Escaldes, the national champion, triumphed over Kosovo’s Drita after a penalty shootout concluded with a score of 4-2, following a 0-0 draw during regulation. In the first leg, the teams had played to a 2-2 draw.
This significant achievement leaves only two countries—Montenegro and San Marino—without any teams that have reached a European group stage, marking the end of Andorra’s long absence from this level of competition.
Inter Escaldes began its European campaign this season in the first preliminary round of the Champions League, where they were eliminated by Lincoln from Gibraltar, losing 3-1 away and drawing 1-1 at home. They later secured impressive victories of 4-0 and 2-0 against Estonia’s Flora Tallin in the third preliminary round of the Conference League.
Andorra’s Team Advances to Conference League Group
In the playoff round, Inter Escaldes faced Drita. Following an exciting 2-2 tie in Kosovo, the team dominated the home match with 61% possession and 28 attempts on goal, but failed to score, leading the match to penalties for qualification.
Faysal Chouaib’s successful penalty triggered wild celebrations among fans and players alike, reflecting the excitement surrounding this historic moment.
With a coefficient of 7.500, Inter Escaldes will be placed in the fifth pot for the Friday draw and could potentially face Romania’s Universitatea Craiova, which has been surprisingly placed in the fourth pot after its elimination by Ararat-Armenia.
Known officially as Inter Escaldes by UEFA, the club has a history with Romanian football, notably pushing FCSB to the limits in last season’s Champions League qualifiers, where FCSB managed a 3-1 win at home but lost 1-2 away, with the Andorran side creating numerous chances.
Meet Inter Escaldes
Inter Escaldes is coached by Spanish manager Felip Ortiz, 49, who took over in July 2024 after serving as an assistant coach at Barcelona.
According to Transfermarkt, the club’s squad is valued at €4.36 million, with standout attackers Faysal Chouaib and Borja Arellano, both 26 years old, each valued at €350,000.
The club boasts a record of 5 national championships in Andorra.
