Ararat-Armenia became the first Armenian club in history to make it to the final round of qualifications for any European club competition. The Armenian side went through after a hard fought 2-0 win against northern neighbors, Saburtalo Tbilisi from Georgia. Ararat lost the first leg at home 1-2 after. lapse of concentration in the second half caused them to concede two goals. However. despite playing the second match away from home, the Armenian side were able to equalize the aggregate scoreline early on with a lovely finish Kobyalko after receiving the ball from the right wing.

Goal-scorers Kobyalko and Avetisyan

Saburtalo continued to pile the pressure on into half-time and picked up where they left off in the second half only to concede a penalty in the second half. Avetisyan, a regular fixture in the starting XI who came on as a substitute, cooly slotted the penalty into the bottom right to take the lead to 2-0 on the night, but more importantly 3-2 on aggregate. Ararat kept an onslaught from the Georgian side at bay, and ultimately were able to secure passage into the 4th round (playoffs) of the Europa Lague.

FC Ararat Armenia celebrate in the locker room after a historic victory

During the post match press conference Ararat manager Vardan Minasyan expressed his thoughts on the victory saying

This was a win for Armenian football.”

“Minasyan is no stranger to bringing success to Armenian football. He was the only manager to date to get the highest quality performances out of a not-so-star-studded Armenian National Team. After a brief stint in club football, Minasyan returned to the national side only to resign once given the opportunity to manage the leagues new boys, Ararat Armenia. Armenian fans were left disappointed by his decision to once again leave the national team knowing how talented he is. There was a feeling that he did not live up to the expectations that were unfairly placed on him, considering Armenia’s performance historically. However, Minasyan now has the chance to put Armenian football on the map, and this time he will succeed.

The last “Armenian” club to impress in Europe was the new clubs namesake Ararat Yerevan, who were giants in the USSR League. Ararat Yerevan won the Soviet Top League in 1973 and the Soviet Cup in 1973 and 1975. The Armenian outfit made a memorable run in the 1975 European Cup, only to bow out to FC Bayern München 2-1 on aggregate. Now it seems Ararat Armenia has taken the mantle into the modern age, but with a hope of staying.

Ararat Yerevan hosting FC Bayern München in Hrazdan Stadium in Yerevan, Armenia

Ararat, with Minasyan at the helm, now turn their attention to F91 Dudelange of Luxembourg. Now most would look at this fixture and think this might be a boring tie between two minnow clubs, but it far from it. Dudelange is a much stronger team than meets the eye. The Luxembourg giants qualified for last years Europa League competition and were placed in a group with Real Betis, who they drew against, and AC Milan, who they almost upset. The club followed a similar path to Ararat, by getting knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers first round in crucial fashion, away goals. Dudelange dispatched Nomme Kalju of Estonia 4-1 on aggregate with two comfortable wins to get passed the third round and now find themselves matched up against Ararat Armenia.

Leg 1 will be played in Yerevan, Armenia 8/22

Leg 2 will be in Luxembourg 8/29

An in depth preview and review off both ties will be up soon, but until then Armenian soccer fans can rest happy tonight as history was made.