Champions League draw pits Partizan against new boys

Last season's Champions League group stage participants FK Partizan have been handed a qualifying tie against first-time qualifiers FK Skendija 79, of Macedonia, as they attempt to reach the Champions League proper once again.

The draws for first and second qualifying round draws were made in Nyon this morning, Uefa.com reports.

The competition opens with four teams playing in the first qualifying round. SP Tre Fiori face Valletta FC and FC Santa Coloma are up against F91 Dudelange. The winners of those ties will take on FK Ekranas and NK Maribor respectively in the second qualifying round.

The second round stage is also where Partizan meet Skendija. The competition's 1979 finalists Malmö FF take on HB Tórshavn, while Champions League veterans Rosenborg, of Norway, face Breidablik.

Of the UK representatives in the draw, Northern Irish champions Linfield face a tricky tie against Belarus' BATE Borisov, while Wales' Bangor City play Finnish side HJK Helsinki.

Irish outfit Shamrock Rovers meet Flora Tallinn of Estonia.

The winners of the 17 ties will know who they are fighting to play against by the time they play the second leg, with the third qualifying round draw taking place on 15 July.

First qualifying round draw (28/29 June and 5/6 July)
SP Tre Fiori (SMN) v Valletta FC (MLT)
FC Santa Coloma (AND) v F91 Dudelange (LUX)

Second qualifying round draw (12/13 and 19/20 July)
Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR) v FK Borac Banja Luka (BIH)
FK Mogren (MNE) v PFC Litex Lovech (BUL)
NK Maribor (SVN) v FC Santa Coloma (AND) or F91 Dudelange (LUX)
KS Skënderbeu (ALB) v APOEL FC (CYP)
Å K Slovan Bratislava (SVK) v FC Tobol Kostanay (KAZ)
SK Sturm Graz (AUT) v Videoton FC (HUN)
FC Zestafoni (GEO) v FC Dacia Chisinau (MDA)
NK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) v Neftçi PFK (AZE)
FC Pyunik (ARM) v FC Viktoria Plzeň (CZE)
FK Partizan (SRB) v FK Skendija 79 (MKD)
SP Tre Fiori (SMN) or Valletta FC (MLT) v FK Ekranas (LTU)
Malmö FF (SWE) v HB Tórshavn (FRO)
Shamrock Rovers FC (IRL) v FC Flora Tallinn (EST)
Rosenborg BK (NOR) v Breidablik (ISL)
HJK Helsinki (FIN) v Bangor City FC (WAL)
Skonto FC (LVA) v Wisła Kraków (POL)
Linfield FC (NIR) v FC BATE Borisov (BLR)