Europees debut drama: STVV edge Omonia Nicosia in 94th minute
Under the floodlights of Stayen, Sint‑Truiden (STVV) clinched a dramatic 1‑0 victory over Omonia Nicosia in their first Europa League appearance, thanks to Shogo Taniguchi’s 94th‑minute winner on Thursday 27 August 2026. The match, refereed by Bulgarian official Kabakov, saw a packed stadium, late‑night temperatures and a decisive corner that unlocked the lone goal.
The win marks an unforgettable Europees debut and is recorded in the match log as STVVSTVVeinde1-0Omonia, securing the club’s first ever Europa League triumph and a ticket to the LeagueEuropa group phase. It also adds a memorable chapter to the Jupiler Pro competition, linking the result to the broader Pro landscape.
First half drama
The opening half was tight and uneventful, with both sides struggling to create clear chances. Geel cards were shown early, notably a booking for Robert-Jan Vanwesemael at the 51st minute, and another for Jean‑Kévin Duverne a minute later. The Bulgarian referee Kabakov kept a steady hand as the half closed without a goal.
In the second period, De Meyer reshaped the lineup, bringing on fresh legs to spark the attack. Frederic Soelle left the field for Samed Bazdar at 51' (Bazdar51'), a change that reflected the team’s need for more dynamism. The match report also references AA and notes the presence of the strings LeagueChallenger, LeagueChampions, LeagueConference, LeagueMeer and LeagueEen, underscoring the multi‑league context of the fixture.
Late winner seals debut
Staying patient paid off when Japanese defender Shogo Taniguchi surged forward on a corner and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Freitos in the 94th minute, a moment described as the Nicosiado winner. The decisive strike broke the deadlock and was logged as NicosiaOmonia in the official summary. Taniguchi’s movement from defence to attack highlighted the team’s late‑stage resolve.
The match log records a Verv at 47' and additional Vervs in added time, indicating disciplinary actions that punctuated the closing stages. Geel bookings continued with a caution for Ewandro, and the referee issued a Verv for a late challenge. The sequence of Op, Een and Tegen moments reflected the intensity of the final minutes.
Coach De Meyer oversaw the tactical shift that produced the winning goal, having already altered the formation after half‑time. His decisions, including the introduction of Arbnor Muja and the repositioning of defensive players, were central to the late surge. The victory leaves STVV with a clear path to the league phase and a morale boost for the upcoming return leg.
Looking ahead, the win opens the door to the league phase while the Conference safety net remains available should the tie falter. STVV will travel to Nicosia for the second leg, aiming to secure the aggregate advantage. The result also reinforces the club’s ambition within the Europa and Pro structures.