The football season, unbeknownst to many English fans, actually kicks off in July with the first qualifying rounds of European tournaments. Some very interesting names have popped up and I know we have fans from around the world on here who might be able to shed some light on the clubs representing their countries to provide a bit of footballing interest during the close season/Euros/days off. Usually you'll see a team that's "oh, I remember them from when Newcastle were in Europe" or "ah, I've been there on holiday", or even "weren't they banned for siding with the Nazis?" (don't worry, they don't enter until the next round).
So, who do we fancy to push through to the league phase? Some fantastic names in there, by the way, ties are to be played 9th/10th of July and 16/17th July. Teams in bold are, as far as I'm aware, are from countries of interest to people on here (UK, Sweden, Faroe Islands, Ireland etc). The more important countries enter later on.
Of all the teams below, only Slovan Bratislava, KI Klaksvik, Ludogorets, Steaua Bucharest, HJK Helsinki, Ballkani, Astana, HJK, and Sheriff Tiraspol made the group stage of a European competition last season, the ones in bold got out the groups.
Champions League
Slovan Bratislava vs Struga
The New Saints vs Decic
Borac Banja Luka vs Egnatia
Hamrun Spartans vs Lincoln Red Imps
Ballkani vs UE Santa Coloma
Flora Tallinn vs Celje
KI Klaksvik vs Differdange 03
Panevezys vs HJK Helsinki
RFS vs Larne
Vikingur Reykjavik vs Shamrock Rovers
Virtus vs FC Steaua Bucharest
Ludogorets Razgrad vs Dinamo Batumi
Ordabasy vs Petroclub Hincesti
Dinamo Minsk vs Pyunik
Europa League
Botev Plovdiv vs Maribor
Elfsborg vs Pafos
Paks vs Corvinul Hunedoara
Sheriff Tiraspol vs Zira
Llapi vs Wisla Krakow
Ruzomberok vs Tobol Kostanay
Europa Conference League
Velez Mostar vs Inter Club d'Escaldes
Floriana vs Tre Penne
Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino vs Milsami Orhei
Siauliai vs FCI Levadia
Bala Town vs Paide Linnameeskond
La Fiorita vs Isloch Minsk
Caenarfon Town vs Crusaders
Tallinna Kalev vs Urartu
Valur vs Vllaznia
Bruno's Magpies vs Derry City
Malisheva vs Buducnost
Athletic Club d'Escaldes vs F91 Dudelange
Marsaxlokk vs Partizani
Auda vs B36 Torshavn
Stjarnan vs Linfield
Torpedo Kutaisi vs Tirana
Shelbourne vs St. Joseph's
Aktobe vs Sarajevo
Bravo vs Connah's Quay Nomads
Vikingur Gota vs Liepaja
Noah vs Shkendija
Tikvesh vs Breidablik
Mornar Bar vs Dinamo Tblisi
UNA Strassen vs KuPS
VPS vs Zalgiris
Special mention has to go to Bruno's Magpies of Gibraltar, who were set up a decade ago by a bunch of mates who drink at Bruno's Bar and Restaurant in Gibraltar and are co-owned by three time British Figure Skating Champion Haig Oundjian.
So, who do we fancy to push through to the league phase? Some fantastic names in there, by the way, ties are to be played 9th/10th of July and 16/17th July. Teams in bold are, as far as I'm aware, are from countries of interest to people on here (UK, Sweden, Faroe Islands, Ireland etc). The more important countries enter later on.
Of all the teams below, only Slovan Bratislava, KI Klaksvik, Ludogorets, Steaua Bucharest, HJK Helsinki, Ballkani, Astana, HJK, and Sheriff Tiraspol made the group stage of a European competition last season, the ones in bold got out the groups.
Champions League
Slovan Bratislava vs Struga
The New Saints vs Decic
Borac Banja Luka vs Egnatia
Hamrun Spartans vs Lincoln Red Imps
Ballkani vs UE Santa Coloma
Flora Tallinn vs Celje
KI Klaksvik vs Differdange 03
Panevezys vs HJK Helsinki
RFS vs Larne
Vikingur Reykjavik vs Shamrock Rovers
Virtus vs FC Steaua Bucharest
Ludogorets Razgrad vs Dinamo Batumi
Ordabasy vs Petroclub Hincesti
Dinamo Minsk vs Pyunik
Europa League
Botev Plovdiv vs Maribor
Elfsborg vs Pafos
Paks vs Corvinul Hunedoara
Sheriff Tiraspol vs Zira
Llapi vs Wisla Krakow
Ruzomberok vs Tobol Kostanay
Europa Conference League
Velez Mostar vs Inter Club d'Escaldes
Floriana vs Tre Penne
Torpedo-BelAZ Zhodino vs Milsami Orhei
Siauliai vs FCI Levadia
Bala Town vs Paide Linnameeskond
La Fiorita vs Isloch Minsk
Caenarfon Town vs Crusaders
Tallinna Kalev vs Urartu
Valur vs Vllaznia
Bruno's Magpies vs Derry City
Malisheva vs Buducnost
Athletic Club d'Escaldes vs F91 Dudelange
Marsaxlokk vs Partizani
Auda vs B36 Torshavn
Stjarnan vs Linfield
Torpedo Kutaisi vs Tirana
Shelbourne vs St. Joseph's
Aktobe vs Sarajevo
Bravo vs Connah's Quay Nomads
Vikingur Gota vs Liepaja
Noah vs Shkendija
Tikvesh vs Breidablik
Mornar Bar vs Dinamo Tblisi
UNA Strassen vs KuPS
VPS vs Zalgiris
Special mention has to go to Bruno's Magpies of Gibraltar, who were set up a decade ago by a bunch of mates who drink at Bruno's Bar and Restaurant in Gibraltar and are co-owned by three time British Figure Skating Champion Haig Oundjian.
