Slovenian club Olimpija Ljubljana secured their spot in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League after a dramatic 2-1 win over Ludogorets on Sunday. The visitors were awarded a penalty in stoppage time, when Olimpija goalkeeper Matevz Vidovsek saved the spot-kick to get the win, after which the fans stormed the pitch to celebrate the victory.
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The final whistle sparked wild celebrations among the Olimpija players and fans rushed towards the goalkeeper. Vidovsek ran across after the save and celebrated in front of their fans. Scores of fans ran on the pitch to hug the 23-year-old and celebrate the historic achievement.
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Olimpija were the underdogs coming into the game, as Ludogrets had regularly experienced European football. The game got even more difficult as Ludogrets opened the scoring in the 15th minute, but Olimpija struck back just three minutes later through Timi Max Elšnik, who also scored the winner in the 92nd minute. It all seemed to go in vain in the 102nd minute when Ludogrets had a penalty, but goalkeeper Vidovsek correctly anticipated and dived left to create history.
This is the first time Olimpija Ljubljana has reached the UCL 3rd qualifying round in its history. The club has never qualified for the group stage of the Champions League but has participated in the Europa League six times in the 1990s and 2000s. They are also one of the most successful clubs in Slovenia, having won seven league titles and eight Slovenian League cups.
