A day after securing qualification to the group stage at the expense of Slovenian outfit NK Celje, Maccabi were drawn against Belgian, Ukrainian and Icelandic opponents.
Yonatan Cohen said after the draw: “It is exciting and we are happy as this is the target we were all aiming to achieve from the start of the season. Over-all the draw we received is OK draw but we would like to advance through especially as we host our matches at Bloomfield. WE are expected to have a warm and exciting winter.” When asked about facing the team from Iceland, Cohen added: “The trip there is not easy but we already experienced a few flights in our career. This is our profession we will make the necessary preparations and arrive to win at every ground.”
Former Maccabi Panamanian forward, Eduardo Guerrero, plays for Zoryah while former Maccabi Netanya defender Omri Gandelman recently joined Gent. When asked about facing Gandelman, Cohen said: “I don’t know their team that well or Belgian football. I do know Gandelman though, and I am sure he is delighted to be heading back home to play a match. We could compete with every team and obviously we would like to qualify from one of the two top spots.”
The drawn which took place at the Grimaldi forum in Monaco, placed Maccabi in Group B with matches played on Thursdays from September 21st to December 14th. UEFA will announce on Saturday at 13:00 the order of matches and kick off times (19:45 and 22:00 Israeli time).
The group winners advance to the round of 16 while teams that finish in the runners-up spot will compete in the knockout round play-offs against the third-placed sides from the Europa League. The winners of the Play-offs will join the group winners in the last 16.
Group stage dates:
Matchday 1: September 21st
Matchday 2: October 5th
Matchday 3: October 26th
Matchday 4: November 9th
Matchday 5: November 30th
Matchday 6: December 14th
