Two new Leeds United faces were in action in Sunday evening’s Euros qualifiers but with double disappointment after two late twists and a heart-breaking end for Ilia Gruev.
Summer enlistments Both Gruev and Glen Kamara received starts for Bulgaria and Finland, respectively, but Finland lost 1-0 to Denmark at home while Bulgaria lost 2-1 in a dramatic final minute.
For the Euro qualifying match against Kazakhstan on Thursday, Kamara was listed on the Finland bench. He entered the game with 23 minutes remaining and significantly contributed to the game’s lone goal.
Three days later, against Denmark, United’s summer acquisition from Rangers started as a left-sided centre midfielder, which frequently put him in conflict with departing Whites loanee Rasmus Kristensen, who filled the Danes’ normal right back position.
With the score still goalless, Finland coach Markku Kanerva made three changes two minutes from time, including the exclusion of Teemu Pukki, but Kamara remained on the field.
Another change came after six minutes when Robert Taylor replaced Benjamin Kallman, but Denmark took the lead two minutes later thanks to a superb strike from Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, sending the ball into the bottom left corner with a low shot from 25 meters. His goal proved to be the only goal of the match, sealing a victory that put Denmark top of Group F, overtaking Finland who fell to second place.
Meanwhile, Gruev continued to start for Bulgaria, who faced Euro qualifying in Montenegro, but a heartbreaking 2-1 last-minute defeat left them bottom of the group.
Gruev lined up in centre midfield but his side fell behind in first-half stoppage time as Stefan Savic struck for the hosts. Montenegro were then reduced to ten men in the 59th minute when Igor Vujacic was given his marching orders for a second booking and Bulgaria were awarded a penalty. Kiril Despodov saw his spot kick saved but Bulgaria eventually equalised with 11 minutes left through a Preslav Borukov header.
The visitors then looked to make their extra man advantage count but Montenegro provided one last sting in the tail as Stevan Jovetic netted a 96th-minute winner.
