After the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round, the second qualifying round draw has also been staged today.
“Zestafoni” will face either “Hibernians” of Malta or “Spartak” Trnava of Slovakia. “Spartak” is a favorite against “Hibernians”. The club took the third place in Slovakia and was 22 points behind champion “Slovan”. In 2008 “Spartak” Trnava played “Wit Georgia” in Europa League second qualifying round. The match finished 2:2 in Slovakia. “Wit Georgia” won 1:0 in Tbilisi.
“Zestafoni” will hold the first match away and the second – home.
Qualifier between “Chikhura” Sachkhere and “Turnovo” of Macedonia will play “Bursaspor” of Turkey. This club is Cup’s semifinalist and took the 8th place at the championship. Senol Gunes coaches “Bursaspor”. In 2002 under his guidance the Turkish national team took the third place at World Cup. Last year “Bursaspor” started Europa League from the third qualifying round and was ousted by “Vojvodina” of Serbia: 0:3, 2:2.
If “Chikhura” overcomes the Macedonians, the club will hold the first match against “Bursaspor” away and the second – home.
Qualifier between “Sioni” Bolnisi and “Flamurtari” of Albania will face “Petrolul” Ploiesti of Romania. This club finished Romanian Liga I in the third place. Razvan Lucescu coaches the club.
“Petrolul” is 4-time champion of the country. Adrian Mutu is a captain of the club. The 35-year-old forward held 8 matches and scored 2 goals in the last 6 months.
If “Sioni” overcomes the Albanians, the club will hold the first match against “Petrolul” away and the second – home.
The first qualifying round matches will be held on July 3 and 10 and the second ones – on July 17 and 24.
Ilia Nanobashvili
