Champions League qualifying kicks off as Finland's KuPS and Sweden's Malmo win first-leg games
GENEVA (AP) — Qualifying for next season's Champions League kicked off Tuesday even as freshly crowned title holder Paris Saint-Germain is still playing games at the Club World Cup.
In Finland, KuPS Kuopio and Milsami of Moldova were the first teams to start, with the home team winning 1-0 in the first leg of their first qualifying round meeting. Milsami is owned by Ilan Shor, a pro-Russia oligarch who is a fugitive from his conviction in a bank fraud case.
The first goal of the night was scored by Malmo, the 1979 European Cup finalist. The champion of Sweden took an eighth-minute lead scored by Gabriel Busanello away to Iberia of Georgia and went on to win 3-1.
Armenian champion Noah won 1-0 at home to Buducnost of Montenegro and RFS of Latvia took a 1-0 advantage from its first-leg visit to Levadia Tallinn in Estonia.
On Wednesday, FCSB — which was the 1986 European champion playing as Steaua Bucharest — hosts the first leg against Inter Escaldes of Andorra.
Return games are next week. Teams entering the second qualifying round, which starts July 22, include 1991 European Cup winner Red Star Belgrade, Salzburg, Rangers, Dynamo Kyiv and Viktoria Plzen. Salzburg was playing at the Club World Cup in the United States until June 26.
PSG is still playing the 2024-25 season more than five weeks after winning its first Champions League title, beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the final. On Wednesday, PSG plays Real Madrid in the Club World Cup semifinals in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
PSG and Madrid are among 29 teams directly qualified for the 36-team Champions League opening phase that starts in September. Seven teams will advance through the qualifying rounds.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
19 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Spain and Germany's semifinal at Euro 2025 goes into extra time
ZURICH (AP) — The Women's European Championship semifinal between World Cup winner Spain and record eight-time champion Germany has gone into extra time with the match tied at 0-0 on Wednesday. Germany's resilient defense managed to stifle Spain's stellar attack and also produced chances of its own, with Giovanna Hoffmann missing the ball right in front of goal. Spain had the best chances and lion's share of possession but needed to be more clinical. Captain Irene Paredes headed a corner off the post. The winner will face defending champion England in Sunday's final in Basel in either a rematch of the Euro 2022 final — which Germany lost — or of the World Cup final, which Spain won. ___ AP soccer:
New York Post
20 minutes ago
- New York Post
Deion Sanders visits son at Bucs training camp while grappling with mysterious health issue
Colorado Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders was in Tampa Bay for the first day of Buccaneers training camp on Wednesday as his son, undrafted rookie safety Shilo Sanders, is playing for a roster spot. The Buccaneers posted a video on X showing the Hall of Fame cornerback talking and laughing with Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles on the practice field. Sanders — who took time away from Colorado this offseason to tend to an unspecified health issue — shared a photo of himself and Shilo on Instagram, along with a snapshot featuring his eldest son, Deion Jr., in Tampa Bay. 'Had to visit Tampa to see [Shilo],' Sanders, 57, captioned the post. During a news conference Wednesday, Bowles explained it was business as usual for him, despite Sanders' visit to the closed practice. 6 Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders talks with Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles during the first day of Tampa Bay training camp on July 23, 2025. Instagram/Deion Sanders 6 Shilo Sanders and Deion Sanders at the first day of Buccaneers training camp on July 23, 2025. Instagram/Deion Sanders 6 (L-R) Deion Sanders Jr., Shilo Sanders and Deion Sanders at the first day of Buccaneers training camp on July 23, 2025. Instagram/Deion Sanders 'Normal day for me, as far as I'm concerned,' said Bowles, who has two sons playing college football. 'It's a father coming to see his son, like all of us would be doing.' Sanders said last week that he would try his best to visit Shilo and his other son, Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, before returning to Boulder amid his mysterious ailment. 6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, right, talks to Colorado head coach Deion Sanders during practice at NFL football training camp, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. AP Earlier this month, Sanders declined to discuss details involving his health issue at Big 12 media day. However, he told ESPN that he's 'already back,' and would return to campus in Boulder after spending time at his ranch home in Canton, Texas. 'I'm already back. I'm here today. I'm handling my responsibilities. So I look forward to it,' Sanders said. 'I can't wait. You've got to understand, some of the young [players] I haven't even met yet. I'm so excited about that.' 6 Colorado head coach Deion Sanders listens to a question during the Big 12 NCAA college football media day in Frisco, Texas on July 9, 2025. AP Sanders also thanked his former Dallas Cowboys teammate, Michael Irvin, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, Colorado athletic director Rick George and his fellow Big 12 coaches for checking in on him while he was away from the team. 'I'm looking good, I'm living lovely,' Sanders said. 'God has truly blessed me. Not a care in the world, not a want or desire in the world.' 6 Colorado head coach Deion Sanders walks on stage to speak during the Big 12 NCAA college football media day in Frisco, Texas, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. AP Sanders previously had multiple surgeries to address blood clots in both of his legs. In 2021, he had his left big toe and second toe amputated due to blood clots. Sanders, who led Colorado to a 9-4 record in his second season with the team, agreed to a five-year, $54 million contract extension in March. Colorado is scheduled to begin its preseason summer camp later this month. The Buffaloes open the 2025 season against Georgia Tech on Aug. 29 in Boulder.
Fox Sports
20 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Home run leader Cal Raleigh gets day off for Seattle against the Brewers
Associated Press SEATTLE (AP) — Major league home run leader Cal Raleigh was rested for the Seattle Mariners' game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. Mitch Garver started at catcher, batting sixth, and Jorge Polanco was Seattle's designated hitter batting fourth. Raleigh hit his 39th home run Tuesday night in the Mariners' 1-0 victory over the Brewers. It was his 132nd home run for Seattle, moving him into a tie with Ken Griffey Jr. for most homers by a player in his first five seasons with the Mariners. Raleigh homered twice on July 11 in Detroit to reach 38, which was the second-most in history before the All-Star break, before going on to win this year's Home Run Derby. ___ AP MLB: recommended Item 1 of 3
