Europa League 17/18

On Thursday 100 teams start their journey to what they hope will be a visit to the world famous Emirates Stadium and the chance to play The Arsenal.

Red Star Belgrade are the biggest name in the 1st Round Qualifying draw. The Serbian giants won the European Cup in 1990/91. They face Floriana of Malta.

Scottish clubs Rangers and St Johnstone also enter at the first stage. They face Progres Niederkorn (Luxembourg) and Trakai (Lithuania) respectively.
Wales are represented by Bala Town, Connahs Quay Nomads and Bangor City. Ireland have Derry City, Cork City and Shamrock Rovers, while Northern Ireland have Colerain, Crusaders and Ballymena United

Other clubs you would have heard of include Maccabi Tel Aviv, Lech Poznan, AEL Limassol, Midtjylland, AIK and Lyngby


The first leg is Thursday, with the second a week later.
The second qualifying round starts 13th July, with the second leg a week later. The likes of Galatasaray, Aberdeen and Utrecht join here.

The third qualifying round, 27th July and 3rd August, sees some real big names join. AC Milan, Marseille, Bordeaux, Athletic Bilbao, PSV, Zenit, Freiburg and Panathanaikos are among the teams who have to play this round, along with Everton and a little known team from Belgium called Gent (no, I have never heard of them either)

And then there is a play-off round (17th and 24th August), with Champions League qualifier drop outs joining those still standing.

Then we join, and 3 lucky teams will hit the jackpot by drawing us in the draw on the 25th August.

The final is in Lyon, where no doubt Alexandre Lacazette will enjoy a homecoming with his new club.


The competition looks to have its best year ever, probably usurping the Champions League in terms of quality.