Share

Draw: Champions League qualifiers

Nyon - Monaco, Champions League quarter-finalists last season, have been paired with Young Boys in the third qualifying round of this season's tournament.

Shakhtar Donetsk also must travel in the first leg to face Fenerbahce, who return to UEFA competitions after a two-year ban for match-fixing.

Ajax are away first against Rapid Vienna, and CSKA Moscow host Sparta Prague.

Panathinaikos were drawn at home to Bruges, though could yet go directly to the group stage as Greek champions Olympiakos are implicated in an ongoing criminal match-fixing investigation and could be expelled.

In a separate draw for national champions, Basel, who reached the last 16 last season, are away first against Lech Poznan or Sarajevo.

First-leg matches will be played July 28-29. Return matches are August 4-5.

Winners advance to the playoff round.

Champions League third qualifying round draw:

Champions Route

FK Sarajevo (BIH) or Lech Poznan (POL) v FC Basel (SUI)

Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL) or Milsami (MDA) v Sknderbeu (ALB) or Crusaders (NIR)

Ventspils (LAT) or HJK Helsinki (FIN) v Maribor (SLO) or Astana (KAZ)

Celtic (SCO) or Stjarnan (ISL) v Qarabag (AZE) or Rudar Pljevlja (MNE)

Trencin (SVK) or Steaua Bucharest (ROU) v Partizan Belgrade (SRB) or Dila Gori (GEO)

Midtjylland (DEN) or Lincoln (GIB) v APOEL Nicosie (CYP) or Vardar (MKD)

Hibernians (MLT) or Maccabi Tel-Aviv (ISR) v Viktoria Plzen (CZE)

Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) or Fola Esch (LUX) v Molde (NOR) or Pyunik (ARM)

The New Saints (WAL) or Videoton (HUN) v BATE Borisov (BLR) or Dundalk (IRL)

FC Salzburg (AUT) v Malmo (SWE) or Zalgiris Vilnius (LTU)

League Route

Panathinakos (GRE) v FC Bruges (BEL)

Young Boys Berne (SUI) v Monaco (FRA)

CSKA Moscow (RUS) v Sparta Prague (CZE)

Rapid Vienna (AUT) v Ajax (NED)

Fenerbahce (TUR) v Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)

First legs - July 28/29

Second legs - August 4/5

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2247 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE