Five clubs that The New Saints could face in Champions League qualification
The New Saints now know the identity of the five clubs they could face in the first qualifying round of the Champions League.
There is a new name among the likely rivals after KF Trepca ‘89 booked their place in the draw when winning the Kosovan Superliga for the first time in their history.
Based in Mitrovica, the club will make its debut in European competition, and will be the lowest on the unseeded sides in the draw which will be made in Switzerland on June 19.
FCI Tallinn of Estonia are the next-lowest seeded and made their European debut in the Europa League last season, losing 6-3 on aggregate to Hearts.
Also potential opponents are Europa FC of Gibraltar who beat Pyunik of Armenia in last year’s Europa League, before suffering a 2-0 reverse at the hands of Swedish outfit AIK.
TNS could face a trip to San Marino for the second successive season, having beaten Tre Penne at the same stage last year.
This year’s champions are La Fiorita, who made their debut in the Europa League in 2013 and the Champions League a year later when they lost 8-0 to Levadia Tallinn.
Highest-seeded and most dangerous of the potential opponents are Alashkert from Armenia, who caused an upset with an away goals win over St Johnstone on their European debut two years ago.
The games will be the first competitive matches for the club’s new boss after manager Craig Harrison departed for Conference side Hartlepool.
Interim bosses Scott Ruscoe and Steve Evans will not be in contention to succeed Harrison.
