Before kickoff at O’Learys — the pool, darts, bowling and karaoke spot where Hibs fans gathered — a 0-0 would have been snatched without hesitation.
Gent, from the Belgian Pro League, are a serious outfit. Rik De Mil’s energetic team are unbeaten early in the season and beat Gothenburg to reach this stage.
They pressed hard from the start, hemming Hibs in and barely letting them breathe in the home half.
Then Warren O’Hora was fouled and a penalty was given. The Hibs supporters tucked away in the far-left corner of the Planet Group Arena erupted, daring to believe.
Less than a fortnight ago, Josh Campbell netted from the spot at Ibrox as Hibs beat Rangers, but this time Owen Elding took responsibility. He aimed for the corner, only for Gent captain and keeper Davy Roef to spring down and save brilliantly — no surprise given his penalty heroics in the shootout against Cherkasy in the second qualifying round.
Elding was disappointed, but he didn’t fold. “Owen came in at half-time, apologised for the penalty and said we were on top, so keep going,” stand-in skipper O’Hora told BBC Scotland. Teammates put an arm around him, and he responded with maturity.
“He didn’t hide — he kept going and waited for the next chance,” O’Hora added, noting Elding will have plenty more penalties in his career. “I’ve never taken one and don’t plan to,” he joked. “He’s been brilliant for us, so there’s nothing for him to worry about.”