Our Europa Conference opponents (and then laugh)
Our Europa Conference opponents (and then laugh)
By Don Scully
Yes, we are
in one of the worlds most fantastic European competitions – not. Well, I tried
to build it up a bit and failed on the first hurdle. In fact, you can't get any
lower than the UEFA Europa Conference league for let-downs. But the draw has
been presented to us, and in a breathtaking moment, I shall presently reveal
the teams to you.
The draw took
place at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
Yes, we have
learned who we will face in the draw for the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference
League play-offs. And I bet you are all excited? We enter the competition at
the final qualifying round after finishing seventh. We will take on either
Pacos de Ferreira (Portugal) or Larne (Northern Ireland) to decide who goes
into the group stage, which will be played over two legs on 19 and 26 August.
Yes, we will
meet two of the hottest teams in Europe, Pacos de Ferreira or Larne. Try saying
that without smiling. What it actually shows you is how far we've sunk from the
heady days of the UEFA Champions League final to this sinkhole European football competition. But
we did pip Arsenal to the down and outs of European football, that is
something.
We don't discover
our exact opponent until after the third qualifying round has concluded, which
will be on Thursday, August 12. The teams that we could have theoretically faced
were the winner of CSKA Sofia vs NK Osijek, Pacos de Ferreira vs Larne,
Bredablik vs Aberdeen or FK Cukaricki vs Hammarby. All Europa Conference League
games will be played on Thursday nights alongside the Europa League superior
competition (but below the Champions League).
UEFA have split
the teams down into mini-groups ahead of the draw, decreasing the number of sides
who could be paired together. The teams were drawn into 22 ties, with the
winners advancing to the group stage alongside ten teams eliminated in the UEFA
Europa League play-offs.
Thoughts
Coming from
the Champions League, via Europa league, we should – in theory – win this
trophy easily; however, nothing is that easy for Spurs.
Some fans
have taken to Twitter to share their views on the draw. Some have seen this as
an easy-peasy draw and an easy way to win a trophy. Somebody else said that they
"Can't blame Kane leaving". Others have said that we've sunk really
low, just not as low as Arsenal (which is some sort of consolation). And we
should win this tournament.
I agree with most of what is displayed. But
that is what happens when you try to get cheapness in the transfer market. Let
us hope that we rise like a phoenix from the ashes this season and not end up like
a diving blubber whale.
By Don Scully
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