Greg Stewart's floated free-kick into the box from 35 yards is headed clear but all of a sudden it's red-shirted players who are first to the ball. Kenny McLean has a fine left foot and he's next to launch an attack. His delivery, the ball sent in with more pace than from Stewart, curls dangerously in the box but, again, the hosts clear.

Aberdeen may not have found their way to goal - in fact, they have not tested Luka Bilobrk at all - but all is not lost. If they can keep a clean sheet they need score just once to reach the third qualifying round for the fourth year in a row.

The players are being treated to a water break and it offers the managers a chance to pass on instructions to his players.

A long, high ball into the Aberdeen half is headed poorly by Kenny McLean, taking out two Aberdeen defenders. Thankfully for the Dons, pacy attacker Dejan Cabraja shows the touch of an elephant and he knocks it harmlessly to the Dons keeper. Talking of Joe Lewis, he is forced into a save moments later as Dino Coric sets up Luka Begonja whose right-foot shot is saved.

Siroki Brijeg look as if they can attack at pace. Aberdeen have been well organised in defence but the whole team will have to be aware how quickly the Bosnians can burst forward.

As we have seen in flashes over recent seasons, Ryan Christie has the ability to bamboozle opponents with his fast feet and quick thinking. Nothing comes of it on the touchline, but his little shuffle left two Siroki Brijeg players in his wake before he met a blue brick wall.

Goran Sablic and Derek McInnes are two of the game's more youthful coaches. Siroki's main man is just 37, while McInnes is 46.

Paul Hartley
Former Scotland and Aberdeen midfielder on BBC Sportsound

Graeme Shinnie is barged to the ground and wins a free-kick, allowing Aberdeen to relieve the pressure. Siroki have started the brighter of the two teams but Aberdeen are beginning to string a few passes together. Gary Mackay-Steven loses possession but when the ball comes back to him out on the left wing he weaves his way past two players in blue shirts but cannot get the ball into the box or win a corner.

The winners of this tie will meet Apollon Limassol in the third qualifying round. The Cypriots have finished 2-1 winners at Moldova's Zaria Balti, completing a comfortable 5-1 aggregate success.

Ooft. That was a close call. A corner kick from the right is pinged to Slavko Bralic, who was up in the Dons box far away from his right-back berth, and he bashes a first-time shot a few feet wide of the Scots' goal.

Ivan Krstanovic gets the match under way for the hosts.

Willie Miller
Former Scotland and Aberdeen defender on BBC Sportsound

The teams are out on the pitch, which looks in good condition. The opposing players exchange a mixture of handshakes and fist pumps. Mercifully, no high-fives. Aberdeen are all in red, Siroki all in blue.

Paul Hartley
Former Scotland and Aberdeen midfielder on BBC Sportsound

FK Trakai, conquerors of St Johnstone in the previous round, have won their Europa League second qualifying round match against Norrkoping by way of a penalty shoot-out.

We await Aberdeen's involvement in their Uefa Europa League match this evening, but European football's governing body has been in the news in Scotland already today. First, it cited Celtic for the fans' display of an "illicit banner", for blocked stairways and for a "kit infringement". This was soon followed by yet another fine for the Scottish champions, this time for Leigh Griffiths' post-match antics at Windsor Park and for the team attracting five bookings in the first leg against Linfield.

In the past six years, Celtic have been punished on 10 separate occasions relating to misconduct from supporters during European ties.

This is Aberdeen's seventh European campaign this century.

They got to the last 32 in season 2007-8 when they were knocked out by Bayern Munich 7-3 on aggregate.

In the last three seasons they have reached the third qualifying round of the Europa League before losing to Sigma, then Real Sociedad and Kairat.

If Aberdeen make it to the third qualifying round this season they are almost certainly going to meet Apollon Limassol.

The Cypriot side won 3-0 in their first leg against Moldova's Zaria Balti and with 69 minutes gone it's 1-1 in this evening's match.

Tonight's hosts came through the first qualifying round with a 2-0 aggregate win over Ordabasy from Kazakhstan.

Three years ago, and at the same stage of the competition, Aberdeen beat Groningen 2-1 away, with Adam Rooney and Niall McGinn scoring the goals.

A year later they enjoyed a 3-0 victory over Rijeka in Croatia in the first leg of their Europa League second qualifying round match.

"Most of our decent European results have been on the road and we feel we can win the tie," said Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes earlier in the week.

"We expect a noisy crowd but we're used to that and we relish the challenge. There are similarities to Rijeka and it'll be a similar temperature to Croatia.

"We'll have to defend well but we are confident we can get the desired result but it'll be a close game.

"I feel I know Siroki well, they have good individuals but their strength is in their team."

Image source, SNS