TNS face Suduva, Citizens meet Midtjylland in UEFA Cup

Welsh UEFA Cup entrants Bangor City and The New Saints have discovered their European opponents following the Northern UEFA Cup Draw, which was made in the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon at lunchtime.

Bangor City face a very tricky test against the Runners Up from the Danish Superliga last season. The Danes, who were only founded in 1999, play at the new SAS Arena, Herning, which has a Capacity 12,500. Nicknamed, The Wolves, they are managed by 33-year old former Danish International, Thomas Thomasberg.

The club has recruited youngsters from African countries to play and study at their football academy and there are currently seven Nigerians on their books. The club is working on a financial expansion in the region of 10million Euro to secure its current status as a challenger to the Top Two in Denmark of Brondby IF and FC Copenhagen.

Club Secretary Alan Griffiths who was at the draw on the banks of Lake Geneva told us,

"We were hoping for Manchester City of course, but we are actually pleased with the draw. I believe that they are a good team and they finished second in their League, so they'll be strong.

"The fact that they play in the Winter though means that we're on an equal footing, so we're glad about that."

The Citizens were also able to negotiate with their opponents to swap the tie around, so Bangor will play at home at the Racecourse on Thursday 17th July and Mr. Griffiths added,

"We're pleased that they have agreed to swap with us. We're hopeful that not only the fans of Bangor City will come to Wrexham to support us, but Welsh Football Fans will as well."

TNS face a slightly easier match against FK Suduva from Marijampole in Lithuania. They have already played in Wales in the UEFA Cup, when they overcame Rhyl in 2006/07, 2-1 on aggregate. The Lilywhites held their opponents to a 0-0 draw at Belle Vue, but John Hulse's side couldn't get a result away from home, in a match when Rhyl striker Chris Sharp horrifically broke his leg in two places.

They have won the Lithuanian Cup once in their History in 2006, but achieved a best ever Runners-Up position in the Lithuanian Championships in 2007. They currently have five Brazilians in their squad and are managed by Algimantas Gabrys. They play at the Suduva Stadium, in Marijampole, which has a 4,000.

The 1st Leg games will be played on Thursday 17th July and the return legs on Thursday 31st July. Bangor City will play their game at the Racecourse in Wrexham on the 17th, whilst TNS will probably play at Latham Park, Newtown on the 31st July.

Llanelli face Latvians Ventspils in the Champions League...For Full Story, Click Here.

UEFA Champions League Draw, 1st Qualifying Round (1st Leg)

Llanelli v Ventspils (Latvia)
(To be played at Stebonheath Park, Llanelli on Tuesday 15th July 2008. Return Leg to be played on either 22/23 July 2008)

UEFA Cup Draw 1st Qualifying Round (1st Leg)

Bangor City v Midtjylland (Denmark) (To be played at the Racecourse, Wrexham on 17th July 2008)

Suduva (Lithuania) v The New Saints (To be played on 17th July 2008)

1st Qualifying Round (2nd Leg)

Midtjylland (Denmark) v Bangor City (To be played on 31st July 2008)

The New Saints v Suduva (Lithuania) (To be played on 31st July 2008)

NB: Please note that Bangor City and Midtjylland agreed to reverse the Legs, so Bangor will play at Home first.