Paradox. A club from San Marino sets the country's best-ever UEFA result without playing a single match

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the draws for the first two qualifying rounds of the European club competitions took place. Although the matches are still a month away, football in San Marino already has plenty of reason to celebrate.

Details: During the Champions League first qualifying round draw, organizers designated two pairs whose losers would drop not into the second, but directly into the third qualifying round of the Conference League. One of these pairs features the San Marino champions Virtus and Bosnia's Zrinjski.

Regardless of the outcome, Virtus is now guaranteed a spot in the third qualifying round of the Conference League.

If Zrinjski advances, they will secure a place in the Conference League third round even in case of further defeats; if Virtus loses, they will drop into that same third round by the luck of the draw. This marks the first time a club from San Marino has reached such a stage. Previously, teams from the country had only ever made it as far as the second qualifying round of various European competitions.

Reminder: Slovakian side DAC's participation in the Conference League remains in doubt, as UEFA is currently engaged in legal proceedings with the club.