Tottenham’s European journey: A look at Shkendija
By Aaron Coe
Tottenham Hotspur travel on Thursday to play Shkendija of the Macedonian First League in a third-round European qualifying match, so what can we expect?
Tottenham Hotspur were supposed to be playing the third of four games in a week on Thursday, instead it is only the second of three matches, with a full three days rest since their last action. Given the extra, unexpected rest, Jose Mourinho is likely going to take the task seriously and start a strong squad.
Shkendija finished third last season in the shortened Northern Macedonia First League. Given league champions FK Vardar were unable to obtain a UEFA license, everyone moved up a peg, putting Shkendija in the first-round qualifying of the Europa League. Shkendija beat Sumgayit of Azerbaijan in the first round and Romanian club FC Botosani in second round to get to this third stage against Tottenham.
In both the 0-2 victory over Sumgayit and the 0-1 victory over Botosani, Shkendija was the visiting team. Now with three goals for and none against through two matches in qualifying, the Spark – as they are known in Macedonia – are flying high and a confident bunch. Through six matches in North Macedonian First League play thus far this season, Shkendija have won four and drawn two, scoring 11 and conceding only four.
Through eight matches in all competitions in 2020-21, Shkendija has six wins and two draws with a plus-10 goal difference, scoring 14 and conceding only four. To say that the team is on a purple patch might be an understatement.
Shkendija are led by Besart Ibraimi, who has netted five times already in the league and has scored more than 100 goals for Shkendija, including three seasons of more than 20 goals in the league. Although 33, and having not completed a full season for Shkendija in a couple years, Ibrami is clearly in form for Spark and Tottenham need to keep their eyes on him.
Ljupche Doriev is a new addition to Shkendija having joined this summer from Akademija Pandev. Doriev scored 16 goals for Pandev two seasons ago in the MFL and already has two this season for Shkendija. The service for Doriev and Ibrami comes from the midfield anchor of Ennur Totre. The 23 year old has been playing with the Shkendija first team since he was just 16 and he two has scored a couple times already in the league for Spark.
The defense is led by team captain Egzon Bejtulai. The 26-year-old defender has made nearly 250 appearances in all competitions for his club. With the team surrendering only .5 goals per match through the eight played this season, Bejtulai and his mates will be ready for the opportunity of a lifetime against Jose Mourinho and Tottenham Hotspur.
All that said, if Tottenham show up and play up to the level they are capable of, this match should be over early and Tottenham can start looking toward the weekend. However, if they do not take the Spark seriously, we saw just last week how close a team can come, and in football anything can happen.