Motherwell and Falkirk enter unknown territory

Published on Sunday 21 June 2009 22:32

MOTHERWELL and Falkirk will avoid some of Europe's distinguished names when the draw for the opening rounds of the Europa League is made in Nyon, Switzerland today.

In the first round, Motherwell will avoid going head-to-head with the likes of Norwegians Rosenborg and Anorthosis Famagusta, the Cypriot team who played in the Champions League group stages last season.

However, the Steelmen could face a lengthy trip as a host of Eastern European minnows make up the list of potential opponents, such as Azerbaijan side Inter Baku and Armenian outfit FC Mika.

Welsh clubs Llanelli and The New Saints, and Northern Irish teams Linfield and Lisburn Distillery could also be paired with

the Fir Park club, who will be represented at the midday draw in Switzerland by football agents Kenny Moyes and Tony Ashgar in lieu of the club not having appointed a replacement for manager Mark McGhee.

Moyes, brother of Everton manager David, said: "You can't let the representatives of whoever you're drawn against to vanish back to their own country because it might not be easy to contact them.

"If Motherwell were drawn to play a team from a distant country and were away from home first, we'd go straight from Nyon on the Monday to wherever the first leg was and look for accommodation and facilities."

With the Fir Park pitch still undergoing renovation, Motherwell will play the home leg of their first-round tie at Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie, and will continue to lodge there should they advance to the second round.

The draw for that second round will also take place today, with both Motherwell and beaten Scottish Cup finalists Falkirk included in the seeds.

Falkirk will avoid daunting matches against Turkish giants Galatasaray and Aalborg BK, who beat Celtic in the Champions League group phase last term, as well as former European Cup winners Steaua Bucharest and Red Star Belgrade. The Bairns could also potentially be drawn to play Lithuanian outfit FBK Kaunas, a team sponsored by Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov.

Bairns managing director George Craig and operations manager Keith Hogg are set to make the trip to Nyon for the draw before jetting back for tomorrow's unveiling of their new managerial team of Eddie May, Steven Pressley and Alex Smith.

The Europa League first-round ties take place on 2 and 9 July, while Falkirk kick off their maiden tour in Europe on 16 and 23 July.

Aberdeen will enter at the third qualifying round, with Hearts included in the next play-off round, which will determine who enters the new group stage of the revamped competition.