Today, at 18:00, KuPS is set to play against Universitatea Craiova in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the Europa League. Fans can follow the match live on Prima Sport 1 and Digi Sport 1.
The return match is scheduled for August 13 at 20:00 at the “Ion Oblemenco” stadium. If successful, Universitatea Craiova will compete in the playoff round against the loser of the match between Ararat Armenia and NK Celje.
Today’s game will take place on an artificial turf, with light rain expected and a maximum temperature of 19 degrees Celsius. Consequently, the Craiova team arrived in Finland on Tuesday to acclimatize.
Known as Kuopion Palloseura, the Finnish champions have dominated their league in recent years, having won the last two championships and suffering only one defeat in 18 rounds this season. Notably, their squad includes Tommi Jyry, a former midfielder for Petrolul.
Match Preview: KuPS vs Universitatea Craiova
For more details and statistics on the match, click here.
Team Line-ups
KuPS (4-2-3-1): Kreidl – Puukko, Magassa, K. Adams, C. Antwi – Gasc, Touray – Jyry, Pennaner, Armah – J. Moreno. Substitutes: Riihimaki, Silen, Hamalainen, Heinonen, Heiskanen, Jorginho, Kabuye, Kujasalo, Lotjonen, Luyeye-Lutumba, Parzyszek, Savolainen. Injuries: Pasanen, Voutilainen.
Universitatea Craiova (3-4-3): L. Popescu – Rus, Stevanovic, Screciu – Mora, Cicâldău, Anzor, Bancu – Etim, Nsimba, Biaram. Substitutes: Maxim, Sava, Romanchuk, Crețu, T. Băluță, Al Hamlawi, Rădulescu, Elisor, Tavares, Teles, Băsceanu, Matei. Injuries: Isenko; transfer: Badelj.
Venue: Kuopion Keskuskentta (Kuopio); Referee: Ondrej Berka (Czech Republic); Assistants: Matej Vlcek (Czech Republic) and Kamil Hajek (Czech Republic); VAR: Andre Narciso (Portugal); Assistant VAR: Karel Roucek (Czech Republic).
According to Transfermarkt.com, the market value of KuPS’s squad is approximately €6.3 million, while Craiova’s is around €38.1 million, nearly six times greater.
“Craiova is a very good quality team. We need to give our best because we have prepared with the mindset that we need an excellent performance and to attack the match from the start. Our goal is to take the lead right from the first game. We must be capable of putting pressure on the opponent and be aggressive at the right moments.” – Miika Nuutinen, KuPS coach
“We expect a tough match. KuPS comes from the Champions League, just like us. They are a very strong opponent, especially at home, but we know exactly what we need to do. It is a challenge for us to play on this artificial pitch, which is completely different from what we are used to. The opponent likes to have possession, is good at set pieces, and builds their game well.” – Filipe Coelho, Universitatea Craiova coach
Match Statistics
This double-header against KuPS marks the first encounter in history between Universitatea Craiova and a Finnish team in European competitions.
The Kuopio-based club has clinched eight league titles, five Finnish Cups, and one League Cup, becoming a major rival to HJK Helsinki in recent years.
Tommi Jyry, a midfielder formerly with Petrolul, is KuPS’s highest-rated player, valued at €700,000.
Founded in 1923, KuPS is one of the oldest football clubs in Finland.
Coach Miika Nuutinen, 34, is a product of HJK Helsinki’s academy, known for developing young players. He ended his playing career early at age 17 after playing at a lower level with TuPS.
After a 43-year gap between titles, KuPS has seen its most successful period in recent history, winning the championship again in 2024 and 2025 and consistently qualifying for European competitions.
Historically, the team did not always wear their current yellow and black colors; until 1935, they played in green and black stripes, later adopting the traditional colors of the North Savonia region.
The club has a well-known motto in Finland: “Hoppee on happee” (‘Silver is a shame’), originating in the 1970s when KuPS regularly finished second. Fans later turned this saying into a motto.
KuPS plays at the Kuopion Keskuskentta (Vare Areena), a small stadium by European standards, with a capacity of about 5,000, of which 3,000 are seated.
Kuopio, known as the “city of lakes,” has a population of 125,000 and is surrounded by water and forests, making it one of the region’s most representative destinations.
