Motherwell’s European hopes hinge on Thursday tie at Fir Park

As the winter sun glints off the red brick of Fir Park, Motherwell supporters brace for a European night that could reshape their continental ambitions, with the first leg of the Conference League third‑round tie against Faroese side HB scheduled for this Thursday.

The Lanarkshire side sidestepped several heavyweight opponents in the earlier qualifying round, securing a clash with the Faroese outfit HB instead. HB will host Motherwell for the second leg, turning the tie into a two‑legged affair.

The opening match unfolds at Fir Park this Thursday, giving the home crowd a chance to set the tone. A return fixture awaits in Torshavn the following week, where Motherwell must withstand the island’s sea‑breezed conditions.

Alfred Johansson’s squad enters the tie amid an ongoing injury crisis, limiting his options. Midfielder Elijah Just is among those set to depart, joining Elliot Watt and Calum Ward on the exit list.

Despite the setbacks, Motherwell enter as favourites for the two‑legged encounter. Progress would pit them against either Northern Irish side Coleraine or Finnish club HJK Helsinki in the next round.

Motherwell previously eliminated Coleraine during a failed Europa League qualifying attempt in 2020. HJK, the 2025 Finnish Cup champions, finished fifth in their twelve‑team league last season and sit fifth after sixteen matches this term.

HJK boast a stronger European pedigree, having featured in the Conference League proper in two of the last three seasons and drawing twice with Aberdeen in 2023‑24. Their recent run included a win over NSI Runavik of the Faroe Islands before a defeat to Bulgarian side Arda Kardzhali.

Motherwell supporters are cautious about looking too far ahead, recalling a horror defeat to Sligo Rovers that abruptly ended their previous European campaign. Nevertheless, the current pathway to the play‑offs appears more forgiving than past draws could have offered.

A successful navigation of the HB tie could revive Motherwell’s European aspirations and provide a financial lift for the Fir Park club, while also showcasing the growing competitiveness of smaller nations like the Faroe Islands on the continental stage. It would also underline the importance of depth in squads facing injury challenges ahead of crucial fixtures.