A spot in the group stage is on the line and both sides arrive at Brann Stadion level after a 1-1 draw in Thessaloniki, but the team sheets tell the real story: Brann make six changes from their usual league eleven while PAOK go further with seven, turning this into a test of squ…
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Sign inBrann welcome PAOK for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League playoff round tie on Thursday, 27 August 2026, with the aggregate score locked at 1-1 following last week's first leg in Thessaloniki.
Brann are contending with a significant injury list as they chase a group-stage place. Sondre Tronstad, Jonas Torsvik, Nana Boakye, Sakarias Opsahl, Rabbi Matondo, Sævar Atli Magnusson and Ulrik Mathisen are all unavailable for the Norwegian side, according to reports ahead of the first leg. PAOK travel without Shola Shoretire, who remains sidelined. The Greek club otherwise have their key performers — Jiri Pavlenka, Andrija Živković, Giannis Konstantelias and Taison — available for a tie that remains finely balanced.
Brann approach the second leg in strong domestic form, having recorded four wins and only one defeat in their last five matches across all competitions. That run includes a gritty performance in the first leg, where goalkeeper Mathias Dyngeland made six saves to keep the tie alive. The Bergens-based club are unbeaten in their last two European home qualifiers and will count on that resilience to edge a narrow contest.
PAOK’s recent results paint a less convincing picture, with two wins and three defeats in their last five outings. The Thessaloniki outfit needed a second-half equaliser from Baba to salvage the 1-1 draw in the first leg, a game in which they dominated territory but found Dyngeland in inspired form. Away from home, PAOK have been inconsistent in Europe, a trend they must reverse to avoid elimination at the playoff stage.
The first leg highlighted the duel between Brann’s last line and PAOK’s creative forwards. Dyngeland’s six saves — several from close range — kept his side level, and the Norwegian will need another commanding display against a visiting attack that includes the craft of Živković, the dribbling of Konstantelias and the experience of Taison. Brann’s makeshift defence, shorn of so many regulars, must protect their goalkeeper better than they did in Greece, where PAOK registered 16 attempts on goal.
The winner of this tie advances to the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa Conference League, joining the six Matchday 1 groups. For Brann, a group-stage berth would mark a notable achievement after navigating three qualifying rounds. PAOK, seasoned European campaigners, expect to be there and will view anything less as a disappointment. After a 1-1 draw in Thessaloniki, everything is still to play for in the return leg.
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