Over the past few years Maccabi Tel Aviv have been a regular in European qualification matches over the summer and this season they’ll begin in the first round of the Europa League competition. When do the Yellow & Blue start their adventure, are they ranked and who can they face is all explained below.
On June 20th club representatives from allover Europe will bather in Nyon, Switzerland where the Europa League qualification draw will take place. Since Maccabi will begin in the first round they will take part in the draw and will be ranked as both the first and second rounds will be drawn at that same time. The Yellow & Blue will be ranked throughout the qualification rounds should they advance except perhaps the playoff round where it will depend on which teams still remain in the competition.
So, who can Maccabi get in the first round?
On June 20th the draw will take place and due to the fact that Maccabi will be ranked they can only receive an unranked club who have a lower ranking. HB Tórshavn from the Faroe Islands, Fola Esch of Luxembourg, Ordabasy Shymkent from Kazakhstan, ND Gorica of Slovenia and Shirak Gyumri from Armenia are just a few of the teams that may be on tap for the Yellow & Blue. Last year’s second round opponent in Champions League qualifying Hibernians is a possibility along with Birkirkara as well. Another familiar foe Santa Coloma of Andorra is also in the draw.
Other teams include: MTK Budapest from Hungary, Cork City of Ireland, Partizani Tirana from Albania and Welsh side Llandudno.
How do we know who Maccabi may be drawn against in the second round?
Following the first round draw we’ll know who the Yellow & Blue opponent will be in the second round where they will also be ranked. The first leg of the second round will be played on July 14th while the return leg will take place on July 21st.
Possible second round opponents include: Levski Sofia from Bulgaria, Scottish outfit Aberdeen, KR Reykjavik of Iceland, Gabala from Azerbaijan, Odd Grenland of Norway, Vaduz from Lichtenstein, Hibernian from Scotland and Irish side Shamrock Rovers.
The third round draw will take place on July 15th between the first and return matches of the second round and the Club will already know who they may face in the following round should they advance.
