UECL: KuPS and Drita Share the Spoils in 1-1 UEFA Conference League Match

Drita holds KuPS to a 1-1 draw in UEFA Conference League opener

KuPS and KF Drita kicked off their 2025/26 UEFA Conference League campaigns with a thrilling 1-1 draw. Piotr Parzyszek scored for KuPS in the 74th minute, but Albert Dabiqaj's header in the 80th minute secured a point for Drita.

The match marked the first-ever meeting between the two teams, with KuPS facing Kosovan opposition for the first time...

KuPS and KF Drita kicked off their UEFA Conference League campaigns with a 1-1 draw, extending KuPS' unbeaten record to three matches, including two wins and one draw. This encounter marked the first-ever head-to-head between the two teams, with KuPS facing Kosovan opposition for the first time.

The match got off to a lively start, with Otto Ruoppi having a golden opportunity to score. However, visiting goalkeeper Faton Maloku made an incredible point-blank save to deny the striker, leaving Ruoppi shell-shocked. The deadlock was eventually broken, but KuPS' lead was canceled out, resulting in a 1-1 draw.

Drita showed their intent with an early attack, but Arb Manaj's effort was comfortably saved by Johannes Kreidl in the 11th minute. This marked a promising start for the Kosovan champions in their maiden Conference League campaign, having been eliminated in the qualification rounds of the Champions League and Europa League this season.

Drita's attacking momentum was disrupted just before the half-hour mark when Veton Tusha was forced off the pitch on a stretcher. Tusha, who had scored or assisted in three of his last four European appearances, left the field after a robust challenge, leaving his team to regroup without one of their key attacking assets.

The initial intensity waned after the early chance, and the game became more subdued. The first real opportunity to break the deadlock in the remainder of the first half came when Manaj had a rebound effort saved by Kreidl, who made an expert stop to keep the scoreline goalless.

The tempo picked up again in the second half, with KuPS captain Petteri Pennanen testing the Drita goalkeeper early on. Pennanen unleashed an ambitious shot from distance, but it sailed high into the stands after just six minutes of the second half, keeping the score goalless.

Drita earn their first-ever point in the Conference League! 🔹

𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 🇽🇰 Drita 1-1 KuPS 🇫🇮 #UECL | #ConferenceLeague pic.twitter.com/qzV9sl1K8g

— Kosovo Football 🇽🇰 (@kosovarfootball) October 2, 2025

The match remained open, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. Drita's Albert Dabiqaj had a chance to open the scoring, but his close-range effort sailed into the same row of seats that had earlier received Petteri Pennanen's long-range shot, denying both teams a breakthrough after an hour.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 74th minute when KuPS manager Jarkko Wiss's substitutions paid off. Jerry Voutilainen and Piotr Parzyszek combined to score the game's opening goal, with Parzyszek hammering home Voutilainen's delivery, sparking celebrations from the majority of the crowd at Tammelan Stadion.

KuPS' lead was short-lived, lasting only six minutes. Drita equalized when Dabiqaj powered home an unstoppable header from Blerton Sheji's cross, finally getting his name on the scoresheet.

The goalkeeper duel between Ruoppi and Maloku continued, with another crucial moment coming in the 85th minute. Maloku made a vital save, sticking out his leg to deny Ruoppi's effort and securing the draw for his team. The 1-1 scoreline would ultimately hold.

KuPS and Drita broke through in the second half with two goals each, getting their UEFA Conference League campaigns off to a promising start. The match ended 1-1, with KuPS' Piotr Parzyszek scoring in the 74th minute, only for Albert Dabiqaj to equalize for Drita six minutes later with a well-taken header.

The competition will now take a three-week break before resuming. KuPS will head to Iceland to face Breiðablik in their next match, while Drita will host Omonia FC in Kosovo. This initial result sets the stage for both teams as they navigate the demands of the UEFA Conference League group stage.