Estonian clubs Flora and Paide begin Europa Conference League campaigns

Estonian champions FC Flora and Paide Linnameeskond are set to compete in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday. Flora will travel to face Andorra's Inter Club d'Escaldes, while Paide Linnameeskond hosts Austria's 32-time champion, Rapid Vienna, at A. Le Coq Arena.

FC Flora navigated through the Champions League qualifiers, losing to Tbilisi Iberia before dropping into the Conference League. They overcame Wales' The New Saints in the second qualifying round via a penalty shootout after a 1-0 aggregate draw. Flora's coach, Konstantin Vassiljev, anticipates a possession-based game from Inter Club d'Escaldes, noting that their own strategy will depend on the opponent's approach. The match against Inter Club d'Escaldes is scheduled for 8 PM EEST.

Paide Linnameeskond, which finished fourth in the Estonian league last season, advanced by defeating Lithuania's FC Hegelmann and Azerbaijan's FK Zira. This marks the third time in their European history that Paide has overcome two opponents in a single season. Coach Tarmo Kink described Rapid Vienna as a "gram sharper, more disciplined, and organized" opponent with versatile quality, speed, and strength.

Rapid Vienna, managed by Danish coach Johannes Hoff Thorup, previously defeated Andorra's UE Santa Coloma 9-3 on aggregate in the second qualifying round. Thorup expects a more determined performance from Paide than from the previous Andorran club, acknowledging Paide's ability to control games and their goalkeeper's high level of play. The match between Paide Linnameeskond and Rapid Vienna kicks off at 7 PM EEST.

Advancing to the final qualifying round offers a financial prize of 375,000 euros for the clubs.