The winning teams from these two-legged ties not only advance to the playoff round later this month, but secure a coveted spot in the league phase later in the fall. As for the losing sides, they have a do-or-die clash in the UEFA Conference League playoff round.
One of two all-Nordic meetings in the round went SK Brann's way, as they defeated BK Hacken 2-0 away. The home side thought they took the lead less than two minutes in. However, Isak Brusberg was adjudged to be offside through VAR.
Brann had a great chance to take the lead 15 minutes in from a penalty. Unfortunately for them, full-back Joachim Soltvedt put his attempt wide. It would be Saevar Magnusson who came to his side's rescue, scoring a goal in each hallf to lift the Norwegians to a first leg win.
Brann, who made the UEFA Cup knockout stages back in 2007/08, have been eliminated at the UECL playoff round in each of the last two seasons.
Two of Thursday's games ended without a goal. In Greece, PAOK Thessaloniki and Wolfsberger could not be separated in a game of few big chances. Panathinaikos and Shakhtar Donetsk were also unable to finish their chances as the match ended as it began in Athens.
There were just two teams who managed to win at home. AEK Larnaca pulled off an impressive result by scoring thrice in the second half. That was enough for them to top Legia Warsaw 4-1. The Cypriot side will certianly fancy their chances in the return leg.
FCSB were the other side to win at home, coming from two goals down to beat Drita 3-2. The Romanians completed the turnaround thanks to a Daniel Birligea penalty in the 94th minute, his second of the match.
In Thursday's other games, Sporting Braga prevailed 2-1 over CFR Cluj, Utrecht sparked a rapid comeback to take down Servette 3-1, and Midtjylland got the better of Fredrikstad by the same score. Lincoln Red Imps earned a 1-1 draw at home against Noah, while a pair of penalties proved to be key in Bosnia as Zrinjski and Breidablik also finished 1-1.
Three of the Europa League clashes this week were not played on Thursday. The round commenced on Tuesday, with Maccabi Tel Aviv beating Malta's Hamrun Spartans 2-1. Elad Madmon scored the winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Wednesday's results, both also ending 2-1, saw Shelbourne edge Rijeka in Croatia, and KuPS hold on for a precious victory over RFS.
All of the return legs, except for Shelbourne vs Rijeka (Tuesday), will be staged next Thursday. The 13 winners are joined by five direct entrants in the playoff round, plus the six losing teams from the Champions League third qualifying round, champions path.
Follow all of the UEFA Europa League qualifying action on Flashscore.