With the first-leg of the second qualifying round finished, here are a few teams that particularly impressed:

FC Utrecht

• First Leg Opponent/Score: FK Tirana/4:0
• Impression: More or less controlled the game, and their young talent shined. Ricky van Wolfswinkel (21, a striker with a great touch), Dries Merten (23, an attacking midfielder with great dribbling and technique) and Nana (23, a fast midfielder with great dribbling skills as well) all scored a goal in an impressive performance. This Dutch side has a lot of young talent and can surely make the Europa League if they keep playing like this.

Levski Sofia

• First Leg Opponent/Score: Dundalk/6:0
• Impression: The Bulgarian giants played well, scoring 6 times on 13 shots on goal. 21 year old strikers Daniel Mladenov ( Levski’s new singing, a fast player with good dribbling) and Ismail Isa Mustafa ( a good finisher, who spent the last few years on loan and scored both of his goals in a space of 10 minutes) impressed scoring 2 goals apiece. Levski usually does well in the qualifying rounds so expect them to keep being a tough match up.

Baník Ostrava

• First Leg Opponent: WIT Georgia/6:0
• Impression: A very efficient performance from the Czechs, they scored 6 goals on just 7 shots on goal. Strong veteran defender Nando (32) had a very impressive game, scoring 3 goals (2 from the penalty spot) as well as keeping the opposition at bay. The side should be interesting to watch, if they can keep playing consistently well.

Dinamo Minsk

• First Leg Opponent: JK Sillamäe Kalev/5:1
• Impression: Dinamo played well defensively,  allowing just 1 goal on 7 shots compared to their opponents 5 goals allowed on 9 shots. Pacy forward Alyaksandr Sazankow (26) scored 2 goals, and talented young playmaker Anton Putsila (23, and a great dribbler too) impressed as well, adding a goal to a great performance. The Belorussian side hasn’t made it out of the second qualifying found for the past 3 years, so this could finally be their chance to advance.

Olympiacos

• First Leg Opponent/Score: Besa Kavajë/5:0
• Impression: Great performance from the Greeks as well, they have shown themselves to be a quality side. Exciting Brazilian striker Diogo (23, a player who has the ability to score a goal in any way) and Spanish attacking midfielder Óscar (27, he has good dribbling and finishing skills) scored 2 goals apiece. Brazilian central midielder Dudu (27, a player with good shooting and heading abilities) completed the score with a goal for himself. This side really has the potential to go far if they do make it to the Europa League.