CSU Craiova vs KuPS - Live Stream

View the live stream and TV coverage details and live score for the 2026/2027 UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round Match - CSU Craiova vs KuPS.

Universitatea Craiova welcome KuPS Kuopio to Romania on Thursday, August 13, for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying-round tie, with the contest level at 1-1 following last week’s meeting in Finland. Ștefan Baiaram gave Craiova a first-half lead before Jaime Moreno Ciorciari equalised with a second-half header, despite KuPS managing only one shot on target. The return match kicks off at 7:00 p.m. Central European time (CEST), 8:00 p.m. local time in Romania and 1:00 p.m. US Eastern time (EDT) at the Ion Oblemenco Stadium in Craiova.

How to Watch CSU Craiova vs KuPS - UEFA Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round Match

Match background

Craiova will feel they missed an opportunity to establish an aggregate advantage in Finland after restricting KuPS to one attempt on target. Baiaram opened the scoring during the first half, but Moreno Ciorciari’s header midway through the second period kept the Finnish champions firmly in the tie.

Filipe Coelho’s team have nevertheless endured an inconsistent beginning to the campaign, recording only one victory across their previous six matches in all competitions. That sequence includes their elimination from Champions League qualifying at the hands of Levski Sofia.

KuPS arrive in Romania after drawing with TPS Turku in domestic competition. Miika Nuutinen’s side remain unbeaten in 13 Veikkausliiga matches and sit at the top of the Finnish standings as they pursue a third consecutive championship.

However, KuPS have never reached the Europa League proper and have not won any of their previous three matches against Romanian opposition. Craiova, meanwhile, are seeking to advance beyond this stage of European qualifying for a second successive season.

The winner will advance to the Europa League playoff round. Extra time and penalties will decide the tie if the aggregate score remains level after 90 minutes.

Team news

Universitatea Craiova remain without goalkeeper Pavlo Isenko and midfielder Alexandru Iamandache, who are both long-term absentees with knee injuries.

Forward Assad Al-Hamlawi returned from injury during the first leg and is now pushing to start in Craiova. He could replace Monday Etim at centre-forward, although Etim may retain a place alongside Al-Hamlawi and Baiaram in the attacking line.

Head coach Filipe Coelho is otherwise expected to retain the 3-4-3 system used in Finland, with Vladimir Screciu operating in the three-man defence and Alexandru Cicâldău partnering Anzor Mekvabishvili in midfield.

KuPS should welcome Bob Armah back into the starting lineup after the Ghanaian forward served a one-match domestic suspension against TPS. Armah is expected to join Joslyn Luyeye-Lutumba and first-leg scorer Moreno Ciorciari in attack.

Midfielders Samuel Pasanen and Jerry Voutilainen remain doubtful after missing the weekend’s league fixture, with neither player expected to return in time for the trip to Romania.

Predicted lineups

• Universitatea Craiova (3-4-3): Popescu; Rus, Stevanović, Screciu; Mora, Cicâldău, Mekvabishvili, Bancu; Etim, Al-Hamlawi, Baiaram.
• KuPS Kuopio (4-3-3): Riihimäki; Puukko, Magassa, Adams, Antwi; Gasc, Jyry, Touray; Luyeye-Lutumba, Moreno Ciorciari, Armah.

Official starting lineups are expected approximately one hour before kickoff.