According to news reports, the temperature has risen to 39 degrees in Bosnia and Herzegovina today, with the historic city of Mostar the hottest of them all. In fact, it was the joint-top hottest place in Europe. The locals swear that the temperature has gone well over 40 in some parts of the medieval city, built in stone on the Neretva River. In such heat, it’s hard to think about anything – but Velez fans were thinking about their team’s UEFA Conference League match.Mostar was named after bridge keepers (mostari) from medieval times at Stari Most (Old Bridge) over Neretva river, Bosnia and Herzegovina.Old Bridge, UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by Ottomans in 16th Century, considered an exemplary piece of Islamic architecture in Balkans. pic.twitter.com/92Wa8to0fl— ArchaeoHistories (@histories_arch) July 13, 2022 The second qualifying round in the third-strongest UEFA competition brings us nearly 50 matches across the continent, with the hottest being played at Velez’s Rodjeni Stadium.In the year they’re marking a proud centenary of their club, Velez lifted the national cup, which gave them a chance to test themselves against international opposition. Their opponents, Hamrun Spartans, an even older club from Malta, founded in 1907.##NAJAVA_MECA_6516473##In the last round, the Maltese club shocked favourites from Armenia, FC Alashkert by overturning the 1-0 deficit from the first leg with a fine 4-1 victory at home. Their prize is tonight’s trip to hot, hot Mostar.Managed by Amar Osim, son of recently-deceased Ivica, one of the best-respected coaches in Europe, the Rodjeni will try to make it a memorable occasion for the city. The colourful character of a coach, Amar Osim once said that Kylian Mbappe is as quick as his quick dog, said that his team must be wise tonight.”We should be aggressive, but we won’t attack like crazy from the start. We must show that we’re more street-wise than our opponents and make the most out of every chance.”Velez Mostar fans celebrated 100 years of the club 25/06/2022 pic.twitter.com/k0VgJsqjLf— ULTRAS (@fotos_ultras) June 26, 2022 The heat that made the city unbearable today should ease up before the kick-off, set at 20.30 local time, with the cool air from surrounding mountains hopefully making it a bit easier for players and spectators. But you can count on the game to be hot and sweaty either way.UEFA EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUEThursday18.00: (1.73) Ararat A. (3.50) Paide (5.60)18.00: (2.35) Valmiera / BSS (3.20) Shkendija (3.25)18.30: (4.00) Makedonija GP (3.30) CSKA Sofia (2.04)19.00: (1.30) Kups (5.50) Milsami Ursidos (12.0)19.00: (1.73) Molde (3.70) Elfsborg (5.10)19.00: (5.20) Saburtalo (3.45) FCSB (1.79)19.00: (2.14) Lech Poznan (3.20) Dinamo Batumi (3.80)19.00: (5.40) SJK (3.70) Lillestrom (1.70)19.00: (2.19) Koper (3.35) Vaduz (3.50)19.00: (4.50) Zira (3.45) Maccabi T.A. (1.89)19.30: (2.95) Ruzomberok (3.00) Riga (2.65)19.30: (5.10) Suduva (3.50) Viborg (1.79)19.30: (2.14) Pogon Szczecin (3.20) Brondby (3.80)20.00: (1.17) Antwerp (7.75) Drita Gjilan (18.0)20.00: (3.00) Petrocub (3.00) Laci (2.60)20.00: (1.70) Rapid (3.70) Lechia Gdansk (5.40)20.00: (1.68) Sparta Praha (3.80) Viking (5.50)20.00: (30.0) St Joseph’s (12.0) Slavia Praha (1.10)20.00: (1.12) Basel (11.0) Crusaders (19.0)20.00: (3.20) Levski Sofia (3.10) PAOK (2.45)20.00: (1.38) Fehervar (4.90) Qabala (9.50)20.00: (7.00) Vorskla Poltava (3.80) AIK (1.58)20.00: (1.39) B-36 Torshavn (5.00) Tre Fiori (9.00)20.00: (3.90) Gzira (3.40) Radnicki Nis (2.04)20.30: (1.79) Hapoel B.S. (3.50) Dinamo Minsk (5.10)20.30: (1.10) Cluj (12.0) Inter Escaldes (30.0)20.30: (2.40) Aris Limmasol (3.10) Neftchi (3.25)20.45: (1.65) Basaksehir (3.80) Maccabi Netanya (6.00)21.00: (1.17) Aris (7.50) Gomel (20.6)21.00: (5.30) Racing Union (3.60) Cukaricki (1.73)21.00: (1.89) Sepsi (3.40) Olimpija (4.60)21.30: (1.79) Velez Mostar (3.50) Hamrun (5.10)21.30: (1.13) AZ Alkmaar (11.0) Tuzla City (19.0)21.30: (2.65) Rijeka (3.10) Djurgarden (2.85)21.30: (1.15) Trnava (7.75) Newtown (18.54)21.45: (1.58) Motherwell (3.90) Sligo (6.50)21.45: (2.95) St.Patrick’s (3.25) Mura (2.50)22.00: (6.00) Bate Borisov (4.00) Konyaspor (1.61)22.00: (4.10) Vllaznia (3.40) CS Universitatea (1.99)22.00: (1.43) Rakow (4.50) Astana (8.50)22.15: (1.79) Breidablik (3.60) Buducnost (4.90)22.30: (1.82) Vikingur (3.60) TNS (4.80)22.30: (1.86) Guimaraes (3.45) Puskas (4.70)***odds are subject to change
