Dynamo Kyiv face PAOK Saloniki at Motor Lublin Arena – what we know about the opponent

Motor Lublin host Dynamo Kyiv in Europa League second qualifying round

Motor Lublin is back in European competition and immediately faces a tough opponent. The Lublin side will take on Dynamo Kyiv in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League today at 19:00 on Motor Lublin Arena. It’s another chance for Motor to shine on the continental stage, this time against a Ukrainian team.

What happened in the previous round?

Dynamo Kyiv advanced to the second qualifying round after beating Universitatea Cluj on penalties. The first leg in Lublin ended 0:0, and a week later in Cluj it was also 0:0. In the shootout, the Ukrainians won 4:2 and will now face PAOK Saloniki. Last season, Motor Lublin impressed Crystal Palace fans, and this season they hosted supporters of Romania’s Universitatea Cluj.

Who will play for PAOK Saloniki?

PAOK Saloniki finished third in Greece’s Superleague last season. The Salonika side reached the Europa League Round of 16, where they lost to Celta Vigo. In the Greek Cup final, PAOK surprisingly fell to OFI Crete. The team features standout players like Giannis Konstantelias, a 22-year-old striker who scored seven league goals last season. Transfermarkt values him at €22 million, with rumors linking him to VfB Stuttgart. Another key man is Christos Zafeiris, a midfield general who controls the tempo. Serbia international Andrija Živković, who played at two World Cup finals, is also in the squad.

What are the coaches saying about the opponent?

Christian Bilovar, a Dynamo player, said Tomasz Kędziora had briefed him on PAOK. The info shaped Dynamo’s strategy, which Bilovar kept under wraps. Ihor Kostiuk, Dynamo’s coach, added they had analyzed PAOK and were preparing multiple tactical plans. – The whole team deserves attention; I won’t single anyone out. We’re studying them and working to neutralize their strengths – Kostiuk said. PAOK packs its lineup with top talent, and Motor Lublin must prepare carefully to compete for the next round.

What’s next for Motor Lublin after Dynamo?

The winner of Dynamo Kyiv vs PAOK Saloniki will face the better side from Hammarby IF vs Anderlecht Brussels in the third qualifying round. The loser drops into the Europa Conference League to meet the weaker side from Karabakh Agdam vs CSKA Sofia. Motor Lublin sits 12th in Ekstraklasa with 43 points after losing 0:4 to Legia Warsaw on 23 May 2026. The side has lost its last two matches and will look to European competition to steady its form.