St Mirren

St Mirren's Euro Adventure: Almost Glorious but Still a Goal Short!

Catch the latest on St Mirren's nail-biting draw with Valur in Iceland! Can the Buddies clinch victory in the home leg?

In a thrilling showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, St Mirren battled Iceland's Valur to a tense 0-0 draw in the UEFA Conference League's Second Qualifying Round at Hlíðarendi Stadium. Despite a few missed opportunities, the Buddies showed resilience in their first European outing in nearly 37 years. The atmosphere was electric and you could almost hear the collective breath being held as the faithful supporters rallied behind their team in the cold Icelandic air.

Valur's manager Arnar Gretarsson didn't mince words post-match, expressing that St Mirren deserved two goals in the first half. It was indeed a frustrating night for St Mirren, who, despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, failed to convert any into goals. On-loan Brentford keeper Ellery Balcombe earned rave reviews for his stellar performance, pulling off some remarkable saves that denied Valur a chance at glory and kept the Buddies in contention.

Stephen Robinson would have left Reykjavik feeling a mix of pride and disappointment. While St Mirren kept their dreams of progressing alive with the draw, fans and players alike will surely have a lingering sense of ‘what could have been’ as they look toward the second leg back in Paisley. The home crowd will be hoping for a more decisive outcome, encouraging their boys to finally find the back of the net and secure their place in the next round.

Speaking of the fans, there's no denying the excitement around St Mirren's European journey bringing buzz to Paisley. This potentially historic run is not just a football narrative, but a community event bringing together families, friends, and fellow supporters. With the pressure of a second leg looming, the Saints will aim to take full advantage of home support to secure three points!

Did you know that St Mirren last played in Europe back in 1986 against the likes of legendary teams? That's 37 years of waiting for fans to witness their club back on a European stage! Fun fact: Hlíðarendi Stadium, home to Valur, was known for hosting some intense matches, always providing an unpredictable backdrop - almost as unpredictable as the weather in Iceland, where it can snow one minute and be sunny the next!