Partizan welcomed Hibernian to Serbia in the only way they know how, but the Scots weren’t to be denied a positive result in the Conference League qualifier.
Martin Boyle was at the double as Hibernian edged past 10-man Partizan.
Hostile atmosphere doesn’t stop Hibernian
There are certainly no friendly games in Serbia and the home fans made that very clear when Hibernian visited.
The Conference League qualifier was a tense affair from the get go and even the supporters were causing trouble in the stands.
Partizan fans were spotted stealing flags from the opposition’s away end as Hibernian celebrated their second goal of the game.
Partizan fans nicking a Hibernian flag tonight 👀 pic.twitter.com/65OUCeVsCI
— 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 (@thecasualultra) August 7, 2025
One fan replied to the post on X claiming that the atmosphere was even more hostile on the night: “Then they lobbed a couple of glass bottles into the Hibs end from outside. Luckily no one was hit.”
It was Hibs who had the last laugh in their qualifier though. A convincing 2-0 win courtesy of Martin Boyle has put them in good stead for the second leg at Easter Road Stadium.
Fans following Sportscasting’s ChatGPT tips for the Conference League earlier this week will have come out on top, as we backed Hibernian +2 handicap in Serbia.
Vukašin Đurđević lost his head early in the game as he picked up two reckless yellow cards. Two quick cautions saw the defender dismissed after just half an hour, with Hibs taking control from there.
Boyle scored his first just five minutes later before netting his second from the spot with just 20 to play.
Goal number 💯 for Martin Boyle 🤩 pic.twitter.com/5n4ZJdGyq8
— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) August 8, 2025
After an impressive performance in Serbia, Hibernian are now short favourites to advance. Football betting sites have priced the Scottish side at 1/33 to move on to the playoff phase which comes next.
What next for Hibernian?
Hibernian have already faced an early exit from the Europa League in the qualifiers.
Despite an early exit from UEFA’s second European division, Hibernian were clearly keen to atone for their errors.
The Scottish club bounced back to form against a Partizan side who have been on a roll themselves. The Serbian’s saw their five-game winning streak halted by Hibs.
Hibernian face off with Kilmarnock in matchday 2 of the Scottish Premiership on Saturday before hosting Partizan in the second leg on Thursday, August 14.
Another tense matchup can be expected following the first leg but the pressure has been lifted off the hosts.
It would be a real surprise to see Hibs throw away their advantage from the first leg, which may have already earned the club a spot in the next round of Conference League qualifying.
