UEFA Europa League Qualifying Rounds 2020-21

[HajdukSplit]

Like with the Champions League the Europa League qualifying gets underway soon with the preliminary round draw made today and the 1st round draw made tomorrow. The entire qualifying will be single elimination matches and due to the 2019/20 season still being played some teams could move up a round or even move to the CL. A total of 215(!) teams enter for 21 spots

PRELIMINARY ROUND (August 20)
Tre Penne (SMR) vs. Gjilani (KOS)
Lincoln Red Imps (GIB) vs. Prishtina (KOS)
FC Santa Coloma (AND) vs. Iskra Danilovgrad (MNE)
Engordany (AND) vs. Zeta (MNE)
Glentoran (NIR) vs. HB Tórshavn (FRO)
St Joseph's (GIB) vs. B36 Tórshavn (FRO)
Coleraine (NIR) vs. La Fiorita (SMR)
NSÍ Runavík (FRO) vs. Barry Town United (WAL)

FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND (August 27)
Draw is tomorrow (August 10), seeding is known but I'm sure later today UEFA will group these teams so to make the draw quicker as there are 86 teams involved, here is a link to the seeding (2020–21 UEFA Europa League - Wikipedia )

Starting the the 2nd round is the 'Main Path' and the 'Champions Path' which is a second chance for teams eliminated early in the Champions League qualifying rounds to play European football, its also in this round the teams from the 'bigger' leagues enter, draw is on August 31. Some of the teams entering are: Tottenham, AC Milan, Wolfsburg, Granada, Reims, Galatsaray, Standard Liege and at the moment Basel and Copenhagen, who are still in the current seasons EL, so if they win they will obviously go to the Champions League

Entering the third round is Sporting CP, Sparta Prague, PSV Eindhoven, AEK Athens, LASK Linz, Rostov, Rijeka, Charleroi, Alyanaspor, St. Gallen and Sonderjyske

Click to read more...

 

[HajdukSplit]

First round draw

Maribor (SVN) vs. Coleraine/La Fiorita
Riteriai (LTU) vs. Derry City (IRL)
Zrinjski Mostar (BIH) vs Differdange (LUX)
Rosenborg (NOR) vs Breidablik (ISL)
Hammarby (SWE) vs Puskás Akadémia (HUN)
Ventspils (LVA) vs Dinamo-Auto Tiraspol (MDA)
AGF Aarhus (DEN) vs Honka Espoo (FIN)
The New Saints (WAL) vs Žilina (SVK)
Neftçi Baku (AZE) vs Shkupi (MKD)
Nõmme Kalju (EST) vs Mura (SVN)
Apollon Limassol (CYP) vs Saburtalo (GEO)
Partizan Belgrade (SRB) vs RFS (LVA)
FCSB (ROU) vs Shirak (ARM)
Olimpija Ljubljana (SVN) vs Víkingur Reykjavík (ISL)
Žalgiris Vilnius (LTU) vs Paide Linnameeskond (EST)
Valletta (MLT) vs Bala Town (WAL)
Aberdeen (SCO) vs NSI Runavik/Barry Town United
Malmo (SWE) vs. Cracovia (POL)
Shakhtyor Soligorsk (BLR) vs Sfintul Gheorghe Suruceni (MDA)
Shamrock Rovers (IRL) vs Ilves Tampere (FIN)
Vaduz (LIE) vs Hibernians (MLT)
Keşla (AZE) vs Laçi (ALB)
Bodø/Glimt (NOR) vs Kauno Žalgiris (LTU)
Maccabi Haifa (ISR) vs Željezničar (BIH)
Lech Poznań (POL) vs Valmiera (LVA)
Progrès Niederkorn (LUX) vs Engordany/Zeta
St Joseph's/B36 Tórshavn vs Levadia Tallinn (EST)
Budapest Honvéd (HUN) vs Inter Turku (FIN)
Lincoln Red Imps/Prishtina vs Union Titus Petange (LUX)
Motherwell (SCO) vs Glentoran/HB Tórshavn
Kukës (ALB) vs Slavia Sofia (BUL)
Dinamo Minsk (BLR) vs Piast Gliwice (POL)
Hafnarfjördur (ISL) vs Dunajská Streda (SVK)
Servette (SUI) vs Ružomberok (SVK)
Hapoel Beer-Sheva (ISR) vs Dinamo Batumi (GEO)
Fehérvár (HUN) vs Bohemian (IRL)
Alashkert (ARM) vs Renova (MKD)
Ordabasy Shymkent (KAZ) vs Botoşani (ROU)
CSKA Sofia (BUL) vs Sirens (MLT)
Petrocub-Hincesti (MDA) vs Bačka Topola (SRB)
Teuta (ALB) vs Beitar Jerusalem (ISR)
Sumgayit City (AZE) vs Shkëndija (MKD)
Borac Banja Luka (BIH) vs Sutjeska Niksic (MNE)
Kairat Almaty (KAZ) vs Noah (ARM)
Santa Coloma/Iskra Danilovgrad vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv (BUL)
Lokomotive Tbilisi (GEO) vs Universitatea Craiova (ROU)
Tre Penne/Gjilani vs APOEL (CYP)

 

[HajdukSplit]

Another team from Kosovo had a corona outbreak and their match is cancelled and they will probably be forced to forfeit

 

[HajdukSplit]

Vagner Love is still around, scored two goals for Kairat

Couple games called off due to positive tests, in the case of Nomme Kalju-Mura both teams are effected so what does UEFA do

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Sarajevo/Maccabi Haifa match postponed after more Sarajevo players tested positive after they landed in Israel.

What's the protocol for this? Do they reschedule the tie or do the visitors forfeit due to the outbreak?

 

[HajdukSplit]

I think there is some leeway with these ties because of the international break coming up, I read it could be played up until September 12. If the next round was next week then Zeljeznicar would have to forfeit

 

[HajdukSplit]

With the exception of the two postponed games the first round is complete, the last game seeing Shamrock Rovers eliminating Ilves after a 12-11 penalty shootout (think all the Finnish clubs are already out?)

Some surprises already, Maribor who were only recently in the CL and EL lost at home on penalty kicks to Coleraine, Zilina lost to TNS of Wales (overall it was a bad week for Slovakian clubs)

 

[HajdukSplit]

Nomme Kalju-Mura will be moved to a neutral venue (Budapest) and played on September 10; no news on Maccabi Haifa-Zeljeznicar, only thing I found on the Bosnian media is UEFA at this moment still want the game played, Zeljeznicar will appeal to UEFA to have the game moved to a neutral venue

 

[HajdukSplit]

To make the draw go quicker, UEFA have divided the seeds in to subgroups

UEFA Europa League second qualifying round draw

In terms of the 'bigger' names in the draw, Tottenham will play one of Aris Thessaloniki, Laci or Lokomotiv Plovdiv, none should trouble them especially with no fans but if there were fans I doubt they would want to go somewhere like Greece/Albania so early in the season. Milan will play one of Bodo/Glimt, Hibernians or Shamrock Rovers, Wolfsburg will likely go to the ex-YU as they can potentially get Olimpija Ljubljana, Kukesi or Renova

 

[sabremike]

So just to be clear: Celtic enters the competition in the third qualifying round?

 

[HajdukSplit]

So just to be clear: Celtic enters the competition in the third qualifying round?

Yes and they will be with the other CL dropouts (champions path) so their route shouldn’t be too bad

edit: UEFA will randomly draw two CL dropouts into the main part of the draw but regardless Celtic will be seeded throughout

 

[spintheblackcircle]

 

[HajdukSplit]

They realize there will be no fans at the game

One of the interesting things that came out of the draw is the seeded teams all play away, not a single seed got a home game, should make things interesting in a one off, but no fans doesn’t help the unseeded teams

 

[HajdukSplit]

Full 2nd round draw

Champions Path
Inter Club d'Escaldes (AND) vs. Dundalk (IRL)
KuPS (FIN) vs. Slovan Bratislava (SVK)
Linfield (NIR) vs. Floriana (MLT)
Riga (LVA) vs. Tre Fiori (SME)
Djurgardens (SWE) vs. Europa (GIB)
Flora Tallinn (EST) vs. KR Reykjavik (ISL)
Sileks (MKD) vs. Drita (KOS)
Astana (KAZ) vs. Buducnost Podgorica (MNE)
Ararat (ARM) vs. Fola Esch (LUX)
Connah's Quay Nomads (WAL) vs. Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO)

Main Path
Hammarby (SWE) vs. Lech Poznan (POL)
Kaisar (KAZ) vs. APOEL Nicosia (CYP)
Nomme Kalju/Mura (Sep 10) vs. Aarhus (DEN)
Maccabi Haifa/Zeljeznicar (Sep 9) vs. Kairat Almaty (KAZ)
Lokomotiv Tbilisi (GEO) vs. Dynamo Moscow (RUS)
Neftchi Baku (AZE) vs. Galatasaray (TUR)
B36 Torshavn (FAR) vs. The New Saints (WAL)
Coleraine (NIR) vs. Motherwell (SCO)
IFK Goteborg (SWE) vs. FC Copenhagen (DEN)
Backa Topola (SRB) vs. Steaua Bucharest (ROU)
Teuta (ALB) vs. Granada (ESP)
OFI Crete (GRE) vs. Apollon Limassol (CYP)
Progres Niderkorn (LUX) vs. Willem II (NED)
Viking (NOR) vs. Aberdeen (SCO)
Bala Town (WAL) vs. Standard Liege (BEL)
Sfantul Gheorghe (MDA) vs. Partizan Belgrade (SRB)
CSKA Sofia (BUL) vs. BATE Borisov (BLR)
Botosani (ROU) vs. Shkendija (MKD)
Lokomotiv Plovdiv (BUL) vs. Tottenham (ENG)
Laci (ALB) vs. Hapoel Beer Sheva (ISR)
Aris Thessaloniki (GRE) vs. Kolos Kovalivka (UKR)
Honved Budapest (HUN) vs. Malmo (SWE)
Ventspils (LVA) vs. Rosenborg (NOR)
Riteriai (LTU) vs. Slovan Liberec (CZE)
Lincoln Red Imps (GIB) vs. Rangers (SCO)
Servette (SUI) vs. Stade Reims (FRA)
Borac Banja Luka (BIH) vs. Rio Ave (POR)
Renova (MKD) vs. Hajduk Split (CRO)
Olimpija Ljubljana (SVN) vs. Zrinjski Mostar (BIH)
Kukesi (ALB) vs. Wolfsburg (GER)
Dunajska Streda (SVK) vs. Jablonec (CZE)
Piast Gliwice (POL) vs. Hartberg (AUT)
Osijek (CRO) vs. FC Basel (SUI)
Shamrock Rovers (IRL) vs. AC Milan (ITA)
Hibernians (MLT) vs. Fehervar (HUN)
Bodo/Glimt (NOR) vs. Zalgiris (LTU)

 

[filip85]

Hajduk should past this round, but Osijek has a big mountain to climb...then again, they did kick PSV few seasons ago. It is going to be interesting, I think one game only gives more advantage to lesser team, in this case Osijek.

 

[Savi]

Third Qualifying Round Draw (one leg only to be played on September 24)

Champions Path
Sarajevo (BIH) vs Astana (KAZ)/Budućnost Podgorica (MNE)
Sheriff (MDA) vs Inter Escaldes (AND)/Dundalk (IRL)
Ararat-Armenia (ARM)/Fola Esch (LUX) vs Celje (SVN)
Riga (LVA)/Tre Fiori (SMR) vs Celtic (SCO)
KuPS (FIN)/Slovan Bratislava (SVK) vs Sūduva (LTU)
Legia (POL) vs Sileks (MKD)/Drita (KOS)
KÍ (ISL) vs Connah's Quay Nomads (WAL)/Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO)
Djurgården (SWE)/Europa (GIB) vs CFR Cluj (ROU)
Linfield (NIR)/Floriana (MLT) vs Flora Tallinn (EST)/KR Reykjavík (ISL)

Main Path
Nõmme Kalju (EST)/Mura (SVN)/AGF Aarhus (DEN) vs PSV Eindhoven (NED)
Budapest Honvéd (HUN)/Malmö (SWE) vs Lokomotiva Zagreb (CRO)
Sporting CP (POR) vs Viking (NOR)/Aberdeen (SCO)
Charleroi (BEL) vs Sfintul Gheorghe Suruceni (MDA)/Partizan (SRB)
Ventspils (LVA)/Rosenborg (NOR) vs Alanyaspor (TUR)
Kukës (ALB)/Wolfsburg (GER) vs Desna Chernihiv (UKR)
Hibernians (MLT)/Fehérvár (HUN) vs Servette (SUI)/Reims (FRA)
Teuta (ALB)/Granada (ESP) vs Locomotive Tbilisi (GEO)/Dynamo Moskva (RUS)
Rijeka (CRO) vs Aris (GRE)/Kolos Kovalivka (UKR)
St. Gallen (SUI) vs AEK Athens (GRE)
LASK (AUT) vs Dunajská Streda (SVK)/Jablonec (CZE)
Shamrock Rovers (IRL)/AC Milan (ITA) vs Bodø/Glimt (NOR)/Žalgiris Vilnius (LTU)
Botoşani (ROU)/Shkëndija (MKD) vs Lokomotiv Plovdiv (BUL)/Tottenham (ENG)
Bala Town (WAL)/Standard Liège (BEL) v Vojvodina (SRB)
Rostov (RUS)/Maccabi Haifa (ISR) or Željezničar (BIH)/Kairat Almaty (KAZ)
Progrès (LUX)/Willem II (NED) vs Lincoln Red Imps (GIB)/Rangers (SCO)
OFI Crete (GRE)/Apollon Limassol (CYP) vs Hammarby (SWE)/Lech (POL)
Beşiktaş (TUR) vs Borac Banja Luka (BIH)/Rio Ave (POR)
Bačka Topola (SRB)/FCSB (ROU) vs Riteriai (LTU)/Slovan Liberec (CZE)
Laç (ALB)/Hapoel Beer-Sheva (ISR) vs Coleraine (NIR)/Motherwell (SCO)
IFK Göteborg (SWE)/Copenhagen (DEN) vs Piast Gliwice (POL)/Hartberg (AUT)
Osijek (CRO)/Basel (SUI) vs Anorthosis (CYP)
Neftçi (AZE)/Galatasaray (TUR) vs Renova (MKD)/Hajduk Split (CRO)
Viktoria Plzeň (CZE) vs SønderjyskE (DEN)
Kaysar Kyzylorda (KAZ)/APOEL (CYP) vs Olimpija Ljubljana (SVN)/Zrinjski (BIH)
CSKA Sofia (BUL) or BATE Borisov (BLR)/B36 Tórshavn (FRO) or TNS (WAL)

Interesting, possibly two Belgium vs Serbia matchups with both Standard and Charleroi playing at home against Vojvodina and Partizan.
Not a huge amount of interesting games. Willem II v Rangers could be interesting, Besiktas/Rio Ave and Galatasaray/Hajduk as well. Spurs with another potential eastern Europe trip.

 

[Prntscrn]

Obviously we had to get the by far most difficult opponent we possibly could in the third round (Cluj)

 

[HajdukSplit]

Hajduk should past this round, but Osijek has a big mountain to climb...then again, they did kick PSV few seasons ago. It is going to be interesting, I think one game only gives more advantage to lesser team, in this case Osijek.

I worry about Hajduk against anybody after last few years, especially now in one off game in Macedonia (they struggled against Turnovo too a few years back in two legs). Osijek will have their chances but outsiders, for all the good stuff they are doing off the pitch (new modern stadium) they have been poor in building a squad and haven’t been ambitious at all with their managers

Looking at third round, Rijeka could have had better draw being seeded, Greek and Ukrainian clubs tend to be tough to break down. Loko did well for unseeded team but they are so weak compared to last season. Hajduk won’t have too many chances against Gala away despite the eternal early optimism from the fans

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Lo Celso is back.

If they don't win with this lineup, tables will be flipped.

 

[HajdukSplit]

Astana already out, pretty poor Euro campaign for their standards. Crazy game in Armenia, Ararat we’re down two goals in the 90th minute but won two penalty kicks in injury time and have forced ET

 

[robertmac43]

If they don't win with this lineup, tables will be flipped.

How are the tables doing?

 

[robertmac43]

Alright looking like all will be fine for you guys...

 

[Savant]

I have not seen one second of that Tottenham game but I am calling shenanigans.

opponent gets two red cards and gives a PK after going up 1-0 in the 71st minute. I’m calling BS until I see otherwise

71st minute 1-0 LP
77th min Red Card LP
78th min Ref Card LP
80th min 1-1 after PK
85th min 1-2 TH

something stinks.

 

[Fro]

I have not seen one second of that Tottenham game but I am calling shenanigans.

opponent gets two red cards after going up 1-0 in the 71st minute. I’m calling BS until I see otherwise

I mean throwing a hand up and swiping the ball away from goal when you are not a goalie typically doesn't go well

 

[Savant]

I mean throwing a hand up and swiping the ball away from goal when you are not a goalie typically doesn't go well

Oh no doubt. But that makes it even more strange. Not going to go full tin foil hat (and not necessarily Tottenham’s fault) but I would look at the betting activity at a minimum here.