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Wednesday 30th October 2024 - kick-off 8pm

Scottish Premiership: Aberdeen v Rangers

Who will the dons face in Europe?


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THE most painful day in Willo Flood’s career brought further misery as the midfielder today revealed he is now set to miss his best friend’s wedding.

 

Flood was to be best man at the wedding in Dublin on July 5.

 

However, the 29-year-old fears missing out on runners-up spot will derail plans to make the wedding.

 

Aberdeen were denied second spot as a controversial injury-time goal saw Motherwell win 1-0 in the final game of the season to leapfrog into a runners-up finish.

 

The defeat cost the Dons £240,000 in extra Premiership prize money.

 

But significantly for Flood that loss also confirmed an earlier entry into the Europa League – just two days before the wedding, with the return tie scheduled for July 10.

 

He said: “Losing to Motherwell like that was the most painful experience I have had in football.

 

“For me it was also a nightmare as I am supposed to go to my best mate’s wedding in Dublin two days after that Europa League game.

 

“I am the best man but will have to give the wedding a swerve as it is in Dublin and I will struggle to make it.

 

“Losing to Motherwell and missing out on runners-up spot has been a downer all round.”

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Aberdeen FC are seeded for the draw on June 23 and will play one of the teams below.

 

The first leg will be played on July 3, with the second leg a week later.

 

Anthony Joseph and Jack Brennan take a closer look at some of the clubs who Derek McInnes' side could face.

 

This page will be updated as and when teams qualify.

 

FC Veris (Moldova)

 

Based in Chisinau, the club gained promotion to the Moldovan National Division from the third tier in the last two seasons. They qualified for the Europa League by finishing third this year.

 

Hibernians FC (Malta)

 

Not to be mistaken with Hibs from Edinburgh, this team are from the Maltese town of Paola and are 10-time winners of the Maltese League. They qualified for the Europa League by finishing third this season.

 

Sliema Wanderers (Malta)

 

The 26-time champions of Malta are regulars in European football, but don’t tend to get too far. They qualified for the Europa League after becoming runners-up in the Maletese Cup.

 

FK Astana (Kazakhstan)

 

Founded in 2009, the capital-city club are based at the 30,000-seater Astana Arena. They qualified for Europe after finishing second in the Kazakhstan Premier League last season. Their current season is in full swing and they are currently in second place.

 

Fram Reykjavik (Iceland)

 

One of the most successful clubs in Iceland, with 18 league titles and seven cups. They are also in the middle of their new league season and qualified for the Europa League after winning the Icelandic Cup in 2013.

 

Vikingur (Faroe Islands)

 

Formed in 2008, the Vikings from Leirvik qualified for Europe after winning the Faroe Islands Cup last year. In last year’s Europa League they beat Finnish side FC Inter Turku in the first qualifying round, before Romania’s Petrolul Ploiesti put them out at the next stage.

 

UE Santa Coloma (Andorra)

 

From the tiny village of Santa Coloma, the club’s stadium holds only 900 fans. UE won their first trophy in the Copa Constitucio last year and qualified for Europe by finishing second in their league this season.

 

FC Kairat (Kazakhstan)

 

The club’s Central Stadium in Almaty holds 24,000 and their manager is former Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss. Former Don Stuart Duff made 54 appearances for the Kazakhs. Kairat finished third in the league last season to qualify for Europe.

 

KF Laci (Albania)

 

Based in Lac, the club’s only honour is the Albanian Cup which they won last season. They qualified for Europe by finishing third in the Albanian Super League.

 

Derry City (Ireland)

 

The Candystripes play in the League of Ireland at Brandywell Stadium, which holds 7,700 supporters. Qualified for the Europa League after finishing 4th last season. The Irish side are currently in the middle of their new league season.

 

Dundalk (Ireland)

 

Founded in the same year as the Dons – 1903. The Lilywhites have won the League of Ireland nine times and qualified for Europe this year after finishing second in 2013.

 

VPS Vaasa (Finland)

 

This is the third European campaign for the Finns, after finishing third in the Veikkausliga last season. In 1999, they were beaten 3-1 on aggregate by St Johnstone in the UEFA Cup.

 

Stjarnan FC (Iceland)

 

The Icelandic side became a global phenomenon with their specially choreographed goal celebrations, including a fish, diving, a human toilet and a human bicycle. After reaching the Icelandic Cup final, the club will make its European bow this summer.

 

Banga Gargzdai (Lithuania)

 

The Lithuanians have only featured in Europe once, in 2011, but were knocked out in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. They have qualified again after winning the Lithuanian Cup.

 

FC Daugava (Latvia)

 

After a failed merger with Dinaburg, the club was offered a place in the Latvian Higher League in 2010 and became champions for the first time in 2012. The Virsliga side qualified for the Europa League after finishing third last season.

 

B36 Torshavn (Faroe Islands)

 

Seven years ago the Faroese side made the second qualifying round of the Champions League, where they were beaten 9-0 on aggregate by Turkish giants Fenerbahce. B36 are in Europe again, after finishing 3rd last year.

 

Kalev Sillamie (Estonia)

 

The club’s first European appearance was three seasons ago in the second qualifying stage of the Europa League, after finishing second in the Meistriliiga. They have qualified this year after finishing 3rd last season.

 

Atlantas Klaipeda (Lithuania)

 

Atlantas will make their Europa League bow next season, after a 10-year absence from European football. They finished second in the A Lyga to qualify.

 

College Europa (Gibraltar)

 

Nicknamed the Dolphins, they finished fourth in the Gibraltan Premier League last season after being promoted from the Second Division the year before. It is the side's first European adventure in their 89 year history, as Gibraltar became members of UEFA recently.

 

SP Tre Penne (San Marino)

 

The club were founded in 1956. They became the first team from San Marino to win a game in a European competition when they defeated Armenian side Shirak in last seasons Champions League first qualifying round. They qualified for this season’s Europa League after finishing second in the league last season.

 

FC Santos Tartus (Estonia)

 

They were founded just eight years ago, and are based in the second largest city in Estonia, Tartu. They play in the third tier of the Estonian League and have qualified for the Europa League by reaching the 2013/14 Estonian Cup final. Their opponents are FC Levadia have already qualified for the Champions League, therefore Santos qualified as Cup runners- up.

 

Aberystwyth Town (Wales)

 

They were founded in 1884 and are coached by Ian Hughes, 30, the youngest manager in the Welsh Premier League. His side reached the Europa League by finishing cup runners-up in Hughes' first season at the helm. Aberystwyth last competed in Europe in the 1998/99 season representing Wales in the Intertoto Cup competition.

 

AC Libertas (San Marino)

 

The oldest football club in San Marino having been formed in 1928. The team qualified for the preliminary stages of the UEFA Cup in 2007, but lost 4-1 on aggregates to Irish side Drogheda United. They qualified for their third successive Europa League first qualifying round after winning the Coppa Titano for the 11th time last month.

 

Glenavon FC (Northern Ireland)

 

This side play in the top tier of Northern Irish football. Formed in 1889, the Lurgan Blues were the first Northern Irish side to enter the European Cup. In 1995/96 they reached the first round proper of the UEFA Cup, where they were beaten by German giants Werder Bremen. They qualified after winning the cup.

 

Airbus UK Broughton FC (Wales)

 

This team have their origins as the company football team of the Airbus UK factory in Broughton and are subsequently nicknamed the Wingmakers. The Welsh side played in the first qualifying round of the Europa League last season for the first time. They qualify for the Europa League after finishing runners up in the league this season.

 

IF Fuglafjorour (Faroe Islands)

 

Simply known as IF, they were founded in 1946 and play in the top tier of the Faroese League. It is their third straight outing in the Europa League, having lost 5-0 on aggregate to Northern Irish side Linfield last season.

 

Sioni Bolnisi (Georgia)

 

Qualified after finishing third in the Championship Group of the Umaglesi Liga. They were banned from Europe in 2004 after crowd trouble marred their title decider.

 

Constitucio Cup winners (Andorra)

 

Four teams are left in the competition with both semi-finals on Saturday. UE Santa Coloma, who have already qualified for the Europa League, will take on Lusitanos. And in the other match, league winners FC Santa Coloma, who have qualified for the Champions League, will take on UE Sant Julia. In the event of a Santa Coloma derby in the final, UE Sant Julia will be given the Europa League spot, due to finishing third in the Championship Round of the Primera Divisio.

 

IF Brommapojkarna (Sweden)

 

The Stockholm side were once affiliated with Manchester United after Bojan Djordjic transferred to the Red Devils. But now they have a similar link with Manchester City, with their former youth player John Guidetti marking his trade at the Etihad. They finished 13th in the Swedish league last season, but qualified for Europe under the Fair Play rule.

 

Myllykosken Pallo (Finland)

 

47 MyPa are a Finnish team from the industrial town of Myllykoski. Founded in 1947 they have won their domestic league only once in 2005. In the same year they reached the First Round of the UEFA CUP but lost 4-1 against Swiss side Grasshoppers 4-1. They qualified for Europe under the Fair Play rule.

 

Premier League runners’-up and 3rd place (Armenia)

 

Going into the last round of fixtures at the weekend, two teams out of Shirak, Ararat and Mika can qualify for the Europa League.

 

All teams are currently sitting on 44 points, with Shirak’s goal difference on +14, Ararat’s on +10 and Mika’s on +8.

 

Shirak are away to Ararat on Saturday, while Mika travel to champions Banants on Sunday.

 

Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio runners’-up (San Marino)

 

The league is at its play-off stage, with the winners entering the Champions League and finalists going into the Europa League. La Fiorita, Faetano, Cosmos, Folgore and Tre Fiori are the five teams battling it out for the championship, as well as the European spots.

 

Motenegrin Cup (Montenegro)

 

The final is to be played on 21 May between Lovcen and Mladost Podgorica. Lovcen won 4-2 when the sides met in the league in March. The winner will go through to the First Qualifying round of the Europa League.

 

Latvian Cup (Latvia)

 

Skonto will face Jelgava in the Latvian Cup Final. However, Skonto are facing exile to the European football wastelands following a ban from UEFA for debt, pending an appeal. If the appeal fails, Jelgava will go through to the First Qualifying round of the Europa League.

 

Unknown (countries where seeding is yet to be decided)

 

1. Third place in Montenegro.

 

2. Second, third and fourth in Macedonia.

 

3. Cup winners of Albania.

 

4. Second and fourth place in Luxembourg.

 

5. Third place in Wales.

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Is it just luck of the draw? I thought I read something about geographical location being taken into account therefore a trip to Kazakhstan was unlikely? Wouldn't mind a trip to somewhere like Malta or Andorra. Or Iceland.

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Last year the first round was split geographically but unsure to what extent and if this year will be the same. Theres no team in that list that should worry us, now I know it's seeded then can't see too much trouble. Not with McInnes in charge, he will make sure the players treat it professionally

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Saw a show on BT Sport called football outposts, part of which was on the Faroes. The wife said it looks a really nice place to visit so will have to let her know the Dons have a chance of a visit to one of their 3 sides in the draw ;)

 

Watched that, I still want to go back to Bosnia.  Shame there isn't one of their teams on the list :(

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Markers in red are teams we could definitely be drawn against

 

Markers in blue are places still to be confirmed

 

Markers in orange are teams who mathematically we could still play but TBC once the blues are confirmed going on coefficient points.

 

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Too much time on your hands Dave  ???

 

Seriously though, good work.

Easier to pick out where we don't want to go than where we do ;)

 

Quiet today so this is how I spent lunch........ :hammer:

 

Fav team has to be which seems the smallest - Vikingur in The Faroes, just 800 people in the community of Lervik and looks as isolated as it is. 

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Been able to weed it down to this list as found the coefficient points:

 

Still 5 teams to be confirmed, so top 5 may be lopped off but the 2 Hungarian teams may leap frog them but top 3 must be safe as rest of teams San Marino / Montenegro

Georgia (country) Chikhura Sachkhere CC: 2.475

Albania Flamurtari Vlorë CC: 2.350

Moldova Tiraspol CC: 2.325

Republic of Macedonia Shkëndija CC: 2.300

Luxembourg Fola Esch CC: 2.225

Northern Ireland Crusaders CC: 2.225

Andorra Sant Julià CC: 2.166

Armenia Shirak CC: 2.075

Moldova Veris Chi?in?u CC: 2.075

Azerbaijan Gabala CC: 2.075

Armenia Mika CC: 2.075

Republic of Ireland Derry City CC: 2.025

Georgia (country) Sioni Bolnisi CC: 1.975

Malta Hibernians CC: 1.966

Malta Sliema Wanderers CC: 1.966

Kazakhstan Astana CC: 1.900

Iceland Fram Reykjavík CC: 1.850

Latvia Jelgava CC: 1.750

Faroe Islands Víkingur CC: 1.675

Kazakhstan Kairat CC: 1.650

Albania Laçi CC: 1.600

Republic of Macedonia Turnovo CC: 1.550

Republic of Ireland Dundalk CC: 1.525

Finland VPS CC: 1.435

Iceland Stjarnan CC: 1.350

Lithuania Banga Gargždai CC: 1.300

Latvia Daugava R?ga CC: 1.250

Montenegro Lov?en Cetinje CC: 1.200

Faroe Islands B36 Tórshavn CC: 1.175

Andorra UE Santa Coloma CC: 1.166

Estonia Sillamäe Kalev CC: 1.075

Lithuania Atlantas CC: 1.050

Faroe Islands ÍF CC: 0.925

Wales Airbus UK Broughton CC: 0.850

Northern Ireland Glenavon CC: 0.725

San Marino Libertas CC: 0.699

Wales Aberystwyth Town CC: 0.600

Estonia Santos Tartu CC: 0.575

Gibraltar College Europa CC: 0.000

Hungary Runners-up of 2013–14 Nemzeti Bajnokság I

Hungary Third-placed team of 2013–14 Nemzeti Bajnokság I

Montenegro Runners-up of 2013–14 Montenegrin First League

Montenegro Third-placed team of 2013–14 Montenegrin First League

San Marino Runners-up of 2013–14 Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio

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Any of the Hungarian teams who qualify will have enough points to be in the top half of the draw.

 

In Montenegro 2nd & 3rd qualify. The teams sitting there currently would be in the bottom half but 2nd is 1 point behind 1st & 3rd 1 point ahead of 4th. If it switches those teams would go into the top half going on coefficient points.

 

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