Lee Johnson’s Hibernian learned their UEFA Europa Conference League QR2 fate when Andorran outfit Inter Club D’Escaldes progressed past Faroese side Víkingur (3-2 agg.) to set up a two-legged tie between the sides.
Hibernian face Inter firstly away in Andorra La Vella on Thursday 27th July, with the second leg being played at Easter Road the following week, on Thursday 3rd August.
Let’s learn a little more about Hibernian’s Andorran opponents.
History Lesson
Founded in Andorra’s second largest parish by population, Escaldes-Engordany in 1991 L’Inter became founder members of the principality’s footballing top-flight in 1995.
The club competed in Andorra’s top division on a consistent basis for 20 years until relegation to the second tier in 2015, where the club would stay for just two seasons, winning promotion back to the top-flight in 2016/17.
Since their return to Andorra’s top tier, Inter have enjoyed their most successful period on the pitch, becoming champions of the Primera Divisió in three consecutive campaigns between 2019 & 2022.
Last Season
2022/23 saw Inter concede the title to Atlètic Club d'Escaldes, missing out on a coveted place in the UEFA Champions League preliminary qualifying round.
Euro Pedigree
Inter’s European adventures up until this point have been a mixed bag, winning four, drawing two and losing six of their continental clashes, all of which have come in the last three years – a testament to their recent domestic successes.
A positive for Hibernian is that Inter have so far never made it past the 2nd qualifying round of either the UEFA Europa Conference League or the UEFA Europa League, having lost out to opponents from the Republic of Ireland, Albania & Romania over the past three seasons.
Squad Makeup
The vast bulk of Inter’s squad is made up of players who have spent a large portion of their career playing in the lower divisions in cross-border neighbours Spain, with a few key players boasting international experience.
Spanish forward Gerard Artigas was the club’s top scorer in league action last season, finding the net on 11 occasions across a 28-match campaign. He has spent time plying his trade in his native lower leagues as well as forays into Asian top-flight football in both Indonesia and Vietnam.
Midfielders Txus Rubio and Sergio Moreno boast over 100 combined appearances for the Andorran national team and will bring plenty high-level international experience to the table.
Hibernian will no doubt head into this double-header as favourites but will have to ensure there is no lingering pre-season rust if they are to bypass the team from the principality.
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