Gambia professional footballers in European leagues are among the teams that have discovered their opponents after the draws for the UEFA Europa League first and second qualifying rounds were made on Monday.
Gambian duo Ousman Jallow and Paul Jatta's Brøndby IF of Denmark will take on FC Vaduz (LIE) in the second qualifying rounds, slated for July 15th.
Demba Savages FC Honka which is also in the second qualifying stages will host Welsh Bangor City on July 15th in the first leg of the 2010/11 UEFA Europa League second qualifying round. A week later, the side will play away to Bangor City.
Another pros to play in the same level is Gambian defender Amadou Jawo's Swedish side IF Elfsborg, who will take on FC Iskra-Stali (MDA).
Omar Jawo?s side and fair play winners Gefle IF will play away to NSÍ Runavík (FRO) in the first leg of the first qualifying round.
In other part of Europe, Olympiacos FC will face Besiktas JK, in a competition, which will begin on 1 and 8 July with the first qualifying round. Among the 26 ties, 2008/09 UEFA Champions League group stage participants Anorthosis Famagusta FC will play FC Banants of Armenia, and Azerbaijan's FK Qarabag - coached by former England Captain, Tony Adams - meet FK Metalurg Skopje. Other fair play winners: Randers FC and Myllykosken Pallo-47, respectively take on F91 Dudelange and JK Trans Narva.
Joining the winners from that round are 54 clubs entering in the second qualifying round. That includes three of last season's UEFA Champions League group stage contenders, with Olympiacos playing Albania's KS Besa, Besiktas up against Faroese side Vikingur and APOEL FC meeting the winner of the first qualifying round tie between Llanelli AFC and FK Tauras.
Those 40 ties will be played on 15 and 22 July. The day after the first leg, the third qualifying round draw will be made with 30 clubs, making their bow, including Liverpool FC and Juventus, to be followed by the play-off round with more clubs being introduced including 15 sides from the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round before the group stage line-up is confirmed with only one team already ensured an entry: holders Club Atlético de Madrid. The final would be played at the Dublin Arena on 18 May 2011.
