Get ready, South Africa! FC Utrecht is set to face Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova in the second qualifying round of the Europa League. The manager can book those plane tickets! After Sheriff's comfortable 4-0 victory over FC Prishtina in the first leg, a 2-1 loss in Kosovo wasn't enough to derail their progress. Sheriff advances, and Utrecht awaits!
Why Not Tiraspol?
The first leg of the tie, scheduled for July 24th, will be played in Nisporeni, Moldova, instead of Sheriff's usual home in Tiraspol. This is due to Tiraspol being located in Transnistria, a breakaway region where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a code red travel warning. This makes the trip slightly easier for Utrecht fans wanting to make the journey.
Sheriff's Formidable Record
Despite remaining undefeated last season, Sheriff Tiraspol finished second in their domestic league. They've already played four league games this season, winning all of them and sitting comfortably at the top of the table. FC Utrecht will need to be at their best!
Other Dutch Clubs in Europe
It's a busy time for Dutch clubs in European competitions. Feyenoord enters the Champions League qualifying rounds, while AZ also has their sights set on European glory. PSV, Ajax, and Go Ahead Eagles have already qualified for the group stages of their respective competitions.
- Feyenoord: Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round
- FC Utrecht: Europa League 2nd Qualifying Round
- AZ: To be determined
Feyenoord's Path
Feyenoord enters the Champions League in the League Path of the third qualifying round. They'll need to navigate two rounds to reach the coveted group stage. Potential opponents include Viktoria Plzeň/Servette and SK Brann/RB Salzburg. The draw takes place on July 21st, with Feyenoord being seeded due to their high coefficient.
Stay tuned to newsrpt.com for all the latest updates on FC Utrecht and other Dutch clubs in Europe!