Advertisement
FC Copenhagen's William Kvist (now with VFB Stuttgart) and Chelsea's Fernando Torres battle for the ball during last year's Champions League tie. Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport
Euro Vision

Next stop, Denmark? Hoops handed tricky draw against Copenhagen

Sligo and Pat’s both face potential trips to Ukraine in the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

Updated 13.10

SHAMROCK ROVERS WILL have their work cut out for them if they are to keep their European dream alive after being paired with FC Copenhagen in the Champions League Third Qualifying Round.

Michael O’Neill’s men travel to Estonia next week with a 1-0 lead over FC Flora Tallinn, knowing that a trip to face the Superliga champions in the next round awaits them if they win.

The home leg is pencilled in for 26/27 July in the Danish capital, with the return likely to take place in Dublin on 2/3 August.

After being drawn alongside FC Barcelona, Rubin Kazan and Panathinaikos in the group stages of last year’s tournament, Copenhagen managed to progress to the last 16 where they were beaten 2-0 on aggregate by Chelsea.

Under the watchful eye of new boss Roland Nilsson – the Swedish international who spent a few seasons in the late 1990s with Coventry City – the Danish outfit have been readying themselves for the new domestic season which begins this Sunday.

The draw for the third qualifying round of the Europa League was also made this morning, with both Sligo Rovers and St. Patrick’s Athletic facing potential trips to Ukraine.

Sligo have been drawn against either Vorskla Poltava or Belfast club Glentoran, while Pat’s will play FC Karpaty Lviv if they can overcome Shakhter Karagandy in next week’s second leg.

Bohemians will play Montenegrin side FK Rudar or Austria Vienna if they can overturn last night’s 2-0 deficit against Olimpija Ljubljana.

All three Europa League ties will be played on 28 July and 4 August.