Europa League third qualifying round, second leg: Egnatia (1) v Shamrock Rovers (3), Arena Egnatia, Thursday, 8pm Irish time – stream on LOITVBohemians and Shelbourne have managed to compete in the Uefa Conference League qualifiers this year, but Shamrock Rovers are set to take a giant leap in their evolution as a consistent force in European football. If Rovers can defend a 3-1 lead against the Albanian champions KF Egnatia, in blistering conditions, they will be one Norwegian scalp away from reaching the Europa League proper. If Lillestrøm prove too strong in a Europa playoff, Rovers will go straight into the Conference League for the third time in four seasons. If, however, Egnatia overturn the 3-1 advantage, Rovers will face the loser from KuPS Kuopio (Finland) and Universitatea Craiova (Romania) in a Conference League playoff. In financial terms, the difference between reaching the second and third tier of Uefa competition is €1.14 million.Before Rovers fans, players and staff can start to dream about away nights against Juventus, AC Milan, Marseille, Bournemouth or Sunderland, they must cope with an Albanian summer of 35 degrees around the 8pm kick-off time. None of this will surprise Stephen Bradley’s battle-hardened group. Almost to a man, Rovers know precisely what needs to be done on away days after recent experiences in Malta and Armenia. They will play their usual possession-game when possible, and soak up Egnatia’s attacks with a back five marshalled by Pico Lopes. Their secret weapon could be Jonathan Afolabi, who opened his account for Rovers in a tetchy match against Dundalk last weekend. Afolabi has had to find form and fitness at the same time following three seasons in the Belgian and Dutch leagues since leaving Bohemians in December 2023. “It’s clear to see with Jonathan that it’s getting better with every game that he plays,” said Bradley. “It was great on Friday he got over 60 minutes into him, with no issues so that will only help. “He’s still learning how we play and what we expect, but he’s a real threat and you could see that last Friday and the Tuesday before against Egnatia. I’m delighted for him that he’s got his first goal and it’s the first of many.”The former Ireland under-21, now 26 years old, missed a chance to put the tie beyond Egnatia but, once fully fit, he has the power and ability to take Rovers to the next level. With John McGovern injured, Bradley has relied on 36-year-old Aaron Greene, rather than 18-year-old Michael Noonan, to lead the line on the big European nights. “We have to go and win the game,” said Bradley, “I don’t think we can approach it in any other way. That’s the aim.”Rovers have to recover for the FAI Cup third-round match against St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park on Sunday afternoon, a game with a 2pm kick-off due to live coverage on RTÉ, but Bradley will almost certainly stick to his most cohesive starting XI.[ Bohemians face tall order in Denmark as they refocus on FAI CupOpens in new window ]That means Jack Byrne and Graham Burke will provide the creativity, with Byrne in a deeper role alongside Matt Healy and Dylan Watts. Will Fitzgerald and Adam Brennan will likely provide pace and trickery down the flanks. Besides Brennan, who is 19, the above names are in their prime, but Bradley has built a squad that can spring two promising 18-year-olds in Max Kovalevskis and Noonan, if they are chasing a goal.