Great ρχεται August is coming for Anorthosis. On the 5th and 12th of the month the team of Famagusta will give its matches for the third qualifying round of the Europa League knowing that if it eliminates its opponent, it will secure a place in a group (at least of the Conference League) for the second time in its history.
Things are just before the draw of the third round as Anorthosis, St. Johnston and Jablonec will face the losers of the three pairs of the second round of the Champions League (non-champion path) where Celtic, Eindhoven, Sparta Prague, Galatasaray, Rapid Vienna and Midland.
Things are not at all simple, however, in terms of the Europa League playoff draw. Because yes, for Anorthosis the scenario is quite clear as it already knows the six possible opponents it will have if it finds itself in that phase, but for most of the playoff teams the situation is είναι completely confused.
Twenty teams will participate in this phase, but contrary to what we are used to, they will not be divided into two groups, ie (as usual) into “strong” and “weak”. On the contrary, UEFA, which in recent years has taken care to turn several procedures into… puzzles, has formed four “priority” groups, with each consisting of a different number of teams (6-6-5-3)!
The scenario is as follows: In the first priority group (P1) are the six teams that got the tickets of the cup winners in the countries 8-13 of the UEFA ranking, namely Antwerp, Fenerbahce, Zoria Luhansk, Alkmaar, Sturm Graz and Randers are ( interesting that only the last one won a cup, as in the other leagues the cup was won by the champion or runner-up, teams that have a place in the Champions League).
In the second priority group (P2) will be the six losers of the third round of the Champions League (path of champions). In the third group (P3) will be the five winners of the third round of the Europa League on the path of champions (teams that will be eliminated in the second round of the Champions League) while in the fourth group (P4) will be the three winners of the third round of Europa League on the path of “non-champions” (where Anorthosis participates).
If you are already confused, we have bad news for you because there is continuity. Due to the fact that each priority group consists of a different number of teams, the draw will be as follows:
The six P1 teams will be drawn with the three P4 teams and the remaining three P1 teams will be drawn against three of the five P3 teams. The two remaining P3 teams will be drawn with two of the six P2 teams and the four remaining P2 teams will be drawn with each other!
As it is understood, Anorthosis, which belongs to P4, is one of the only three teams that will not need to be confused and its possible opponents are specific, since if the “Lady” qualifies for the Europa playoffs, data will be drawn. with one of the six P1 teams (Antwerp, Fenerbahce, Zorya Luhansk, Alkmaar, Sturm Graz and Randers).
