Champions League Draw
Dinamo Zagreb were paired with the winner of FC Sheriff (MDA) – KS Dinamo Tirana (ALB) in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round after today’s draw in Nyon. FC Sheriff won the first leg at home 3-1, with the return leg on July 20th, while Dinamo have all but assured themselves a place in the third round after a 5-1 romp at home to Koper.
“Both squads are quality so luck was not on our side today in the draw. There were easier opponents that we could have faced.”
~Dinamo manager, Velimir Zajec
Champions League Draw, click to enlarge
Ivica Križanac and FC Zenit St. Petersburg will entertain FC Unirea Urziceni of Romania while Ognjen Vukojević and FC Dynamo Kyiv will open up at home to KAA Gent of Belgium. Nikola Pokrivač and FC Red Bull Salzburg coming off a 5-0 home victory over HB Tórshavn in the first leg of the second round, will face the winner of AC Omonia (CYP) – FK Renova (MKD) in the third round.
First leg: 27/28 July; Second leg: 3/4 August
Europa League Draw
video of Europa League Draw
Nikica Jelavić and Rapid Wein will most likely face PFC Beroe Stara Zagora of Bulgaria after a convincing 2-0 away win over Suduva in the first leg of second round. If Cibalia can overturn a 1-0 defeat to Cliftonville FC in the return home leg, they will face PFC CSKA Sofia of Bulgaria as well. Croatian international, Gordon Schildenfeld and SK Sturm Graz will be waiting for the winner of Gefle IF (SWE) – FC Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO) in the third round.
HNK Šibenik were fortunate enough to draw the winner of Cercle Brugge KSV (BEL) – FC TPS Turku (FIN) if they can hold on to a 2-0 first leg lead over Anorthosis Famagusta FC next week.
possible Šibenik opponents in 3rd round, CERCLE BRUGGE 0-1 TPS TURKU
Hajduk Split avoided an epic meeting with Italian powerhouse Juventus and instead will face the winner of Dinamo 1948 Bucureşti of Romania or FC Olimpia Bălţi of Moldova in the third leg. Dinamo won the first leg 2-0 in Moldova.
“I was hoping for Montpellier and not the Romanians. We both have little time to prepare as the season hasn’t even started. We will review their last game and shoot for a place in the playoff. I don’t think they know a lot about us either, so we will know a lot more after the first match.”
~Hajduk Manager, Stanko Poklepović
Hajduk Split will face one of these teams in third round
First leg: July 29; Second leg: August 5
@Alex,
"If Dinamo can't dispatch Sheriff, there's really no point in caring whether they get a CL spot or not- they'd be hopeless…"
I agree… we shall see.
dinamo je sranje.
"Btw, all the HNL sides in the CL/EL can be watched (in the states) on DirecTV, live (if you have it, of course)."
Yes…how ?
how?
Idk, Denis. Sheriff- the "Chelsea of the Dniester"- is largely made up of either rejects or squad players from the Serbian and Romanian leagues (and not Red Star or Steua squad players…). Dinamo has much of Croatia's young talent and let's face it, while nothing to brag about, the HNL is most likely quite a bit stronger than the Moldovan league.
If Dinamo can't dispatch Sheriff, there's really no point in caring whether they get a CL spot or not- they'd be hopeless…
Btw, all the HNL sides in the CL/EL can be watched (in the states) on DirecTV, live (if you have it, of course).
I agree with you, however, you don't want to go into this thinking that you are superior to either one of the squads(most likely Sheriff. Obviously, this doesnt mean that Zajec cant sleep because of this draw. Although, Sheriff has tons of $$$$ and are an up and coming team. Definitely not an easy tie.
I hate when managers d that!
"Both squads are quality so luck was not on our side today in the draw. There were easier opponents that we could have faced."
~Dinamo manager, Velimir Zajec
Please! If you cant get pas eaither or then thats just sad!
He should have confidence and say they are both good teams but we are better and will progress.
There are much tougher teams we could have got!