For the first time, Neftchi managed to cross the barrier of the second stage in the Intertoto Cup, in which they once participated. On June 21, 2008, head coach Anatoly Demyanenko's team defeated Slovakia's Nitra 2-0 at home in the first qualifying round. Although Neftchi lost the return match 1: 3 on the 28th of the month, they won the stage thanks to the away goal.

The Jerminal barrier in the second qualifying round was not easily crossed. The flagship, who played a draw (1: 1) in Belgium on July 5, advanced to the third round with a minimal victory (1: 0) in the home match the following week.

In the first match of this stage, Neftchi defeated the Romanian club Vaslui. The score was 2: 1 in the match held on July 19 at the Republic Stadium. But after the 0: 2 away defeat on the 26th of the month, our team stopped the fight.