Hibs move step closer to learning Europa Conference League opponents after hosts stage comeback win over 10-men

Hibs have moved a step closer to learning who they will face in the Europa Conference League second qualifying round after tonight's first leg encounter between FK Vllaznia and Malisheva. Last month, David Gray’s side discovered they would face either Albanian or Kosovan opposition in Europe’s third-tier competition in their bid to qualify for the league phase of European football for the first time in the club’s history. Their first competitive outing of the new season will be away from home on July 23, with the return leg at Easter Road the following week. Vllaznia came into the first qualifying round tie as marginal favourites and in relatively high spirits after avoiding a potential transfer ban being imposed on the club by FIFA over claims of unpaid wages of former players. Manager Edi Martini was, however, without a number of key players and experiencing a shortage of defensive options for the match. Malisheva - one of UEFA’s smallest and newest clubs having been founded in 2016 - started as underdogs in their quest to make it third time lucky after being knocked out at this stage of the Conference League in each of the last two seasons. While Hibs won’t find out the exact identity of which country they will be travelling to until next Wednesday, a trip to Albania is their likely destination as things stand after Vllaznia recorded a 2-1 comeback victory in front of their home fans at the Loro Borici Stadium in Shkodër this evening. Winger Laurent Xhyland had fired the visitors into an early fourth minute lead before Klinti Qato equalised for the home side after 37 minutes. The tie swung in Vllaznia’s favour after the interval when centre-back Andreas Skovgaard was shown a straight red card ten minutes into the second half for a last-man challenge that led to the concession of a free-kick, which Emiljano Musta converted. Should the Albanians live up to their favourites tag and complete the job against their Kosovan neighbours on July 15, Hibs supporters will descend on the city of Shkoder the following week, which is located about 1 hour 20 minutes from the main airport in the capital, Tirana. Hibs have already created history by qualifying for UEFA competition for the second consecutive season - something that hadn’t been done for half a century. Your next Hibs read: From back-up to undisputed starting goalie, Hibs No.1 eyes Euro destination on journey to Easter Road glory