Pot Luck

COLERAINE FC will find out who they will play in the first round of Europa League qualifying as the draw is made in Nyon, Switzerland tomorrow…

The Bannsiders made a return to European competition for the first time since 2004 last season as they faced Norwegian side FK Haugesund. Despite a heavy loss in the first leg in Scandinavia, the Stripes restored some pride with a goalless draw at The Showgrounds.

However excitement levels are kicking in once again as Coleraine prepare for another test of European action. Due to a weak UEFA co-efficient, Oran Kearney’s men will be one of the 47 unseeded teams which means they can face the following five seeded sides below:

Dinamo Minsk (Belarus)
Gornik Zabrze (Poland)
OFK Titograd (Montenegro)
Spartak Subotica (Serbia)
Vardar (Macedonia)

The draw for the second qualifying round will also be made tomorrow. The ‘Main Path’ draw of fixtures features 74 teams (27 new entrants and 47 winners of the first qualifying round). The Stripes will once again be unseeded for this round, meaning they can draw the likes of Sevilla, Besiktas, RB Leipzig and Burnley. These matches are scheduled for 26th July and August 2nd.

On completion of the first round draw, Coleraine will know the order of their ties (i.e. home and away) with the matches scheduled for 12th & 19th July.