U Cluj comes back from 0-2 down to draw with Brann

Universitatea Cluj staged a dramatic late comeback to secure a 2-2 draw against Norway's Brann Bergen in the first leg of their Europa Conference League qualifying tie. Forced to play their home match in Sf. Gheorghe, the Romanian side found themselves trailing 2-0 for much of the game.

Brann took the lead in the 40th minute through Niklas Castro, who finished from close range after a cross. The Norwegian team extended their advantage in the 53rd minute when Felix Horn Myhre converted a well-worked team move. For long periods, it seemed the deficit would be insurmountable for "U" Cluj, who had struggled to create clear chances.

However, the tide turned in the final minutes of the match. Jovo Lukic ignited the comeback in the 85th minute, heading home from a corner kick. Just two minutes later, Pedro Pinho completed the remarkable turnaround, scoring with a shot from 11 meters to level the score. Universitatea Cluj even came close to snatching a victory in stoppage time, but a lobbed effort from Ștefănescu struck the crossbar.

The second leg is scheduled for July 30 in Bergen. If Universitatea Cluj can overcome Brann Bergen, they will face the winner of the tie between FC Dila Gori of Georgia and Apollon Limassol of Cyprus in the next round.