Theo Weeks’ Gabala FK is just one step away from entering the group stage of the UEFA Europa League after overcoming Lille OSC in the third qualifying round.

Gabala grabbed an important 1-1 draw away from home on July 28 before securing a place in the playoffs round with an emphatic 1-0 win at home on August 4.

A 34th-minute strike from Croatian midfielder Filip Ozobic was enough to hand Gabala the important win on home soil.

Despite being considered the underdog, they advanced ahead of the French League One giant on a 2-1 aggregate.

Gabala will now play Slovenia’s NK Maribor, which advanced to the playoff round with a 2-1 aggregate over Scottish giant, Aberdeen.

Weeks believes Maribor may be their toughest opponent yet, despite Gabala being viewed as the favorite.

“Many people think we have a free ride because the team is from Slovenia,” Weeks told The Bush Chicken. “We have been overrated only because we won Lille. For me, I feel it will be a very difficult game for us. They have a strong team. They knocked out a team from the Scottish Premier League. If you can win a big team from Great Britain, you are strong enough. They will certainly be a tough team to play against.”

The first leg of the matchup will be played on August 18 in Maribor, Slovenia.

Featured photo courtesy of Gabala FK