APOEL & Apollon to begin in Lithuania, Anorthosis to Albania
 

APOEL and Apollon will start this year’s European journey in Lithuania against FK Suduva and Stumbras respectively, while Anorthosis will visit Albania to face Laci. Cup holders AEK Larnakas will face the winner of the pair between Levadia Tallinn (Estonia) and Dundalk (Ireland).

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The Cypriot Champions, APOEL Nicosia, will kick-off their efforts in the UEFA Champions League 1st qualifying round against Lithuanian champions FK Suduva. Despite the fact that APOEL are considered a stronger team that competes in a stronger league, the Lithuanians have the advantage of “readiness.” The Lithuanian League is in its 17th matchday and Suduva lead the way, 8 points clear of Zalgiris. The first match will be played in Lithuania on July 10/11 and the re-match will take place July 17/18 in Nicosia.

If APOEL advance to the second qualifying round, they will play the winner of FK Spartaks Jurmala, the champions of Latvia, and Red Star Belgrade of Serbia. These two sides will meet in the first qualifying round. The Serbian champions, who are coached by former Omonoia boss Vladan Milojevic, are heavy favorites to progress to the next round. 

Apollon came just short of winning the league championship last season, despite leading for most of the playoffs, but also fell in the Cup final to AEK Larnakas to end the season without silverware. Nonetheless, Sofronis Avgousti’s side showed to be a team with potential and will want to prove themselves in the Europa League. Their journey will begin in Lithuania against the country’s Cup holders FC Stumbras, a team only five years old. FC Stumbras prevailed over Zalgiris in last year’s Cup final to claim their first ever title in club history. Apollon will travel to Lithuania for the first game on July 12th and the return leg will be held in Cyprus on July 19th. 

If Apollon play play to their capabilities, their progression to the next round should come without much difficulty. If so, the Limassol side will face the winner of FK Zeljeznicar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Narva Trans (Latvia) in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. Neither team presents a threat to Apollon and in the case of the Bosnians advancing, they will matchup against their former coach and player Slobodan Krcmarevic. 

Anorthosis will be making a return to the Europa League this season and were paired with Albanian side Laci in the first qualifying round. Laci finished 4th in the Albanian league last season and this will be their 5th appearance in European competitions (three times eliminated in the first round and once in the second). Anorthosis’ journey starts from the “Antonis Papadopoulos” Stadium in Larnaka on July 12th and the return leg will be held in Albania on July 19th. 

If the Famagusta side advance to the next round, they will face either Glenavon (Northern Ireland) or Molde (Norway). The Norwegians are considered the favorites and are guided by former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. 

As Cypriot Cup champions, AEK Larnaka will be the only Cypriot team to begin in the 2nd qualifying round of the Europa League. The Cypriot Cup holders will face the winner of the matchup between Levadia Tallinn (Estonia) and Dundalk (Ireland). Levadia finished 2nd in the Estonian league and won the Cup last season and this season, after 18 weeks, they are currently in 3rd place, just four points behind leaders Kalju Nomme. Dundalk finished 2nd last year in their domestic league and currently, after 23 weeks of play, are in 2nd just a point behind last year’s champions Cork City. Part of their squad is Nigerian striker Marco Tagbajumi who played for Ermis Aradippou and AEL Limassol previously. Neither side is considered dangerous with AEK holding the title of “favorites” against both teams. The games will take place on July 26 and August 2, with AEK’s first game to be held on the road. 
 

by Antonious Marios

Image Source: to10.gr

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