Draw day was Monday (22/7) for the Greek teams participating in this year’s qualifiers for the European competitions (Olympiacos, moreover, is already in the League Phase of the Europa League).
After all, all three, PAOK, Panathinaikos and AEK, start from the second qualifying round of the Champions League, the Europa League and the Conference League, respectively.
They all start this week at home, against Banja Luka (24/7, 20:30), Botev (25/7, 21:00) and Inter D’Escaldes (24/7, 21:00), respectively, with the return matches – all away – scheduled for next week.
So let’s do a… sum of what they have to face the 3rd qualifying round based on today’s draws in Nyon.
The most likely opponent for Panathinaikos is very difficult, compared to PAOK the draw, at least passable for AEK. All matches, as detailed below, are originally scheduled for… Thursdays (August 8 and 15)something that may change.
PAOK
Starting with PAOK, which participates in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, in the next round – provided, of course, they first eliminate the Banja Luka– the “doubleheader of the North” will face the winner of the pair Malmö-Klaksvik. See here the profiles of the two teams.
The first game is scheduled for August 8 and one week later the rematch in Toumba.
In fact, the special thing about the Thessalonians is that from the same pair, their possible opponent – if they are eliminated from Banja Luka – for the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa Leaguethis time of course against the loser of said duel.
Panathinaikos
For its part, Panathinaikos was unlucky in the draw for the third qualifying round of the Europa League.
In particular, the “greens”, if they overcome its obstacle Botev they are invited to face the winner of the pair Ajax-Vojvodina, that is, in all probability Ajax. See here the profiles of the two teams.
Obviously, this is something that Panathinaikos would like to avoid, as this development makes it difficult, but not impossible, to continue in the Europa League. Something that, if he succeeds, will also reap the profits of this qualification, since he will enter the next draw of the second-ranked event with the coefficient of “Aianda”, i.e. as strong.
The first game of the pair will be held on August 8 at OAKA and the rematch on 15th of August in Holland.
On the other hand, in the inevitable scenario for Panathinaikos, that of being eliminated by Botev, the “clover” will continue in the third qualifying round of the Conference League, having a passable task. And that’s because it was drawn with the winner from the couple Zrinski Mostar (Bosnia)-Bravo (Slovenia). See here the profiles of the two teams.
AEK
Finally, there was good news for AEK in the draw of the 3rd qualifying round of the Conference League.
There, where the “Union”, if first of course excludes it Inter D’Escaldeswill face its winner Noah-Sliema Wanderers.
The first is a team from Armenia, while the second – and more… known – is from Malta. See here the profiles of the two teams.
The first match will take place away, in Armenia or Malta, and the second in Athens. Conference League 3rd qualifying games are set for August 8 and 15but it is understood that, if necessary, the date can be changed for a day before, as was done now, for the match on Wednesday (24/7) with the team from Andorra.
Source: Sport Fm
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