Dinamo Against Sopić's Kauno Žalgiris in Champions League Third Qualifying Round
After eliminating Thun, the Blues learned they face the Lithuanian champions; if they advance, they avoided AEK and Lovro Majer in the play-off round.
After eliminating Thun, the Blues learned they face the Lithuanian champions; if they advance, they avoided AEK and Lovro Majer in the play-off round.
Dinamo Zagreb will face Lithuanian champions Kauno Žalgiris, coached by Croatian manager Željko Sopić, in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. According to 24sata Sport, the 'Blues' overcame Swiss side Thun 3-2 at Maksimir (4-3 on aggregate) after a dramatic tie, while Kauno Žalgiris won their return leg 1-0 against Klaksvíkar Ítróttarfelag from the Faroe Islands, following a 0-0 first leg. The first leg of the third qualifying round will be played on August 4, 2026 at Maksimir at 8:00 PM, with the return leg in Lithuania on August 11, 2026.
The decisive moment for the Lithuanian side came in the 85th minute, when former Hajduk Split player Leon Kreković, after a run from the right, slotted home at the near post for a 1-0 win, assisted by Benchaib. Index.hr Sport reports that Sopić immediately began jumping and celebrating wildly with his players and coaching staff after the final whistle, securing a historic qualification for his side and guaranteeing European football in the autumn.
GNK Dinamo, even before learning their opponent, released match details via Twitter. The tweet, as reported by Index.hr Sport, reads:
'We didn't know who yet, but we knew when - and we know where! Maksimir showed yesterday why it's called the 'Blue Hell'! Pre-sale for members runs until Friday, August 1 at 23:59, after which general sale begins. Prices: West lower tier €20 for members, €25 for others; West upper tier €15 for members, €20 for others; North lower tier €10 exclusively for members. Season tickets are valid, and holders can transfer their seats until August 3 at 23:59.'
After Danish side Aarhus (AGF) eliminated Polish club Lech on penalties, the seedings in the play-off round changed, meaning Greek side AEK, for whom Lovro Majer recently signed, became a seeded team and cannot face Dinamo. According to Index.hr Sport, the 'Blues', thanks to their coefficient of 46.500, are seeded in both the third qualifying round and the play-off round. The play-off draw will take place on Monday, August 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM in Nyon. If Dinamo eliminate Kauno Žalgiris, their possible opponents in the final qualifying round (August 18/19 and 25/26) include LASK, Viking, and the winners of the ties between Ararat Armenia/Celje, Levski Sofia/Kairat Almaty, or Aarhus/Sabah.
The club was founded in 2004 as FM Spyris and has carried its current name since 2016. It won its first Lithuanian league title in 2025 and added the Super Cup in early 2026. Željko Sopić has been in charge since June 2026, and this season the club is playing Champions League qualifiers for the first time. According to Transfermarkt, Dinamo's market value stands at €64.61 million, while Kauno Žalgiris is valued at €9 million, reports Index.hr Sport.
