AEK Larnaca Hosts Shkendija in Europa League Group Stage Finale

LANCASTER, Pa. (Interstat) — AEK Larnaca will look to secure its place in the Europa League knockout round when it hosts North Macedonia’s Shkendija on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in a decisive Group H finale.

The Cypriot side enters the match at AEK Arena - Georgios Karapatakis in strong form, sitting second in the group standings. A victory would guarantee advancement. AEK Larnaca is unbeaten in its last four European matches (2-2-0), including a gritty 1-1 draw away to Sweden’s Hacken last Thursday. Their continental campaign has featured notable highs, such as a stunning 4-0 road win at Dutch side AZ Alkmaar on Oct. 2.

Shkendija, already eliminated from knockout contention, arrives as a dangerous spoiler. The Macedonian champions are riding a wave of domestic momentum, having won three consecutive First League matches. They capped that run with a confident 2-0 home victory over Slovan Bratislava in Europa League play last Thursday, demonstrating they remain a threat despite their position.

The visitors’ form, however, has been inconsistent. Their recent 3-0 loss to lower-tier KF Arsimi in domestic cup action on Nov. 23 highlights a susceptibility to setbacks. Their European results have mirrored this pattern, mixing the impressive win over Slovan with a narrow loss to Kosovo’s Drita.

AEK Larnaca’s path has been built on defensive resilience and tactical discipline under manager David Català. Their 1-0 victory over English side Crystal Palace on Oct. 23 stands as a testament to their organized approach. Shkendija, managed by Qatrim Hyseni, will rely on the attacking momentum from their recent wins, seeking to exploit any complacency from the hosts.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the match projects as a high-scoring affair, favoring AEK Larnaca with a predicted 4-2 victory.

Following this match, Shkendija’s focus will shift entirely to its domestic title defense, resuming First League play on Feb. 15, 2026, against GFK Tikvesh Kavadarci. For AEK Larnaca, a win promises an extended European journey into the new year.

Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT).