THE EUROPA LEAGUE group stage draw is here!
And Leicester City and West Ham will be eagerly awaiting the draw this morning as they look to begin their campaigns.
- Start time: 11am BST/ Europa Conference League draw 12.30pm
- TV/live stream: BT Sport/ BT Sport YouTube (FREE)
- Spurs in Europa Conference League draw
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GOODBYE
That’s all from Istanbul where Leicester, West Ham and Tottenham have learnt their European fates for the 2021-22 season.
The Foxes and the Hammers will compete in the group stage of this season’s Europa League, and while excitement emanates from both clubs, there are different feelings when it comes to the cards they’ve been dealt this afternoon.
West Ham are confident of overcoming their group with Dinamo Zagreb, Genk and Rapid Vienna, but Leicester will have to get the better of Napoli, Spartak Moscow and Legia Warsaw to make it through.
Spurs, meanwhile, are involved in the inaugural Europa Conference League competition, and despite the presence of Rennes, Vitesse and NS Mura alongside them in Group G. their fans must fancy their chances of ending their search for silverware by becoming the first club to lift the new trophy.
It’s just 13 days until the continental campaigns of these three Premier League clubs kick-off in earnest, and you’ll be able to follow all the action with us here at SunSport.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
The order of games are still being worked upon by UEFA boffins, but we can reveal the dates of each matchday in the Europa Conference League.
The ties will take place on Thursdays between September and December this year.
- MATCHDAY 1: Thursday, September 16
- MATCHDAY 2: Thursday, September 30
- MATCHDAY 3: Thursday, October 21
- MATCHDAY 4: Thursday, November 4
- MATCHDAY 5: Thursday, November 25
- MATCHDAY 6: Thursday, December 9
These dates also apply to games in the Europa League.
G TIZZ
The Europa Conference has been much derided by fans of Tottenham’s rivals, but UEFA’s new competition has served Spurs up with some intriguing propositions in Group G
The Premier League club will face opposition from Ligue 1 (Rennes), the Eredivisie (Vitesse) and the PrvaLiga (NS Mura).
Of course, Spurs should still qualify comfortably, but their fans have seen it all before, and know when it’s best to get the excuses in early.
POT FOUR
The draw for the first ever group stage of the Europa Conference is complete!
Spurs finish up with Slovenian champions NS Mura, who are taking part in their first ever European campaign,
- GROUP A: LASK, M. Tel-Aviv, Alashkert, HJK Helsinki
- GROUP B: Gent, Partizan, Flora, Anorthosis
- GROUP C: Roma, Zorya Luhansk, CSKA Sofia, Bodo/Glimt
- GROUP D: AZ Alkmaar, Cluj, Jablonec, Randers
- GROUP E: Slavia Prague, Feyenoord, Union Berlin, M. Haifa
- GROUP F: Copenhagen, PAOK, Slovan Bratislava, Lincoln Red Imps
- GROUP G: Tottenham, Rennes, Vitesse, Mura
- GROUP H: Basel, Qarabag, Kairat Almaty, Omonoia
POT THREE
Spurs go Dutch! Nuno Espirito Santo’s team will also face Vitesse Arnhem as well as Rennes in Group G.
- GROUP A: LASK, M. Tel-Aviv, Alashkert
- GROUP B: Gent, Partizan, Flora
- GROUP C: Roma, Zorya Luhansk, CSKA Sofia
- GROUP D: AZ Alkmaar, Cluj, Jablonec
- GROUP E: Slavia Prague, Feyenoord, Union Berlin
- GROUP F: Copenhagen, PAOK, Slovan Bratislava
- GROUP G: Tottenham, Rennes, Vitesse
- GROUP H: Basel, Qarabag, Kairat Almaty
POT TWO
It’s French opposition for Spurs in Group G with Rennes joining the North London club.
- GROUP A: LASK, M. Tel-Aviv,
- GROUP B: Gent, Partizan
- GROUP C: Roma, Zorya Luhansk
- GROUP D: AZ Alkmaar, Cluj
- GROUP E: Slavia Prague, Feyenoord
- GROUP F: Copenhagen, PAOK
- GROUP G: Tottenham, Rennes
- GROUP H: Basel, Qarabag
POT ONE
Spurs are out as the first side in Group G.
Meanwhile, Tottenham’s former manager, Jose Mourinho, finds himself in Group C with his new club Roma.
- GROUP A: LASK
- GROUP B: Gent
- GROUP C: Roma
- GROUP D: AZ Alkmaar
- GROUP E: Slavia Prague
- GROUP F: Copenhagen
- GROUP G: Tottenham
- GROUP H: Basel
HERE WE GO!
A new dawn is upon us. Will this UEFA competition bring some silverware to Tottenham?
AMBASSADOR’S RECEPTION
Former Sunderland hatchet man Lorik Cana (you thought I was going to say Lee Cattermole, didn’t you?) is the ambassador for this inaugural year of the Europa Conference League, and is Istanbul to help conduct the draw.
The ex-Albanian international is joined on by stage by former Real Sociedad goal plunderer Nihat.
POT LUCK
Spurs have been positioned in Pot One on the basis of their club coefficient.
CONFERENCE CALL
Attention now turns to the Europa Conference League.
UEFA’s new competition also welcomes 32 clubs at the group stage with Tottenham the United Kingdom’s sole representative after they overcame Pacos de Ferreira last night.
The format is the same as the Europa League with four clubs being drawn into each of eight different groups.
The final of this competition will be played in Tirana on May 25, 2022.
FRIENDS REUNITED
This morning’s draw for the Europa League has pitted Celtic in a group with Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, and that means a return to Celtic Park for Jeremie Frimpong.
The young right-back left Glasgow for Germany earlier in January, signing a four-year contract with Die Werkself.
The Dutchman is due a warm welcome on his return to Scotland, but it’s unlikely that similar will bestow Moussa Dembele.
The French striker was the scourge of Rangers during his time with Celtic, famously netting a hat-trick in a 5-1 Old Firm win five years ago.
Now at Lyon, Dembele will be back in Glasgow to line up against Steven Gerrard’s team in Group A.
FEEL THE KING POWER
Leicester City’s draw is undoubtedly tougher than that of their Premier League rival with games against Napoli, Spartak Moscow and Legia Warsaw awaiting the Foxes.
All three opponents present intimidating away trips for Brendan Rodgers’ team, and so they will likely look to get their points on the board at home.
HAPPY HAMMERS
It’s fair to say that West Hams fans are pretty pleased with life at the Olympic Stadium at the moment.
David Moyes’ men have thumped four in their opening two Premier League games to sit top of the table, and are now preparing for their first foray into European football in five years.
The Hammers have been handed the ideal Europa League group against opponents that are the perfect combination of being beatable and based in attractive destinations.
NEW FACES
And new places for the Leicester City faithful.
The Foxes will travel to Italy, Russia and Poland for competitive fixtures for the first time.
POT FOUR
All done!
Legia Warsaw enter Leicester’s Group C while West Ham fans have a trip to Vienna to look forward to as Rapid join Group H.
It will be green and white aplenty in Group G as Hungarian side Ferencvaros are draw alongside Celtic and Real Betis, while Brondby have been added to Rangers’ Group A.
The local law enforcement for clubs in Group E will be delighted that supporters are back in stadiums with Lazio, Locomotiv Moscow, Marseille and Galatasaray all placed together.
- GROUP A: Lyon, Rangers, Sparta Prague, Brondby
- GROUP B: Monaco, PSV Eindhoven, Real Sociedad, Sturm Graz
- GROUP C: Napoli, Leicester, Spartak Moscow, Legia Warsaw
- GROUP D: Olympiakos, Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, Antwerp
- GROUP E: Lazio, Locomotiv Moscow, Marseille, Galatasaray
- GROUP F: Braga, Red Star Belgrade, Ludogorets, Midtjylland
- GROUP G: Bayer Leverkusen, Celtic, Real Betis, Ferencvaros
- GROUP H: Dinamo Zagreb, Genk, West Ham, Rapid Vienna
POT THREE
Leicester City and Napoli are joined by Spartak Moscow in Group C.
Meanwhile, there are wry smiles from representatives of Rangers as the Scottish Premiership club are paired with Sparta Prague. It was in last season’s competition that tempers flared after their midfielder Glen Kamara was the subject of racist abuse from a Slavia Prague player.
Across Glasgow, Celtic also have two tricky matches with Real Betis to contend with.
- GROUP A: Lyon, Rangers, Sparta Prague
- GROUP B: Monaco, PSV Eindhoven, Real Sociedad
- GROUP C: Napoli, Leicester, Spartak Moscow
- GROUP D: Olympiakos, Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahce
- GROUP E: Lazio, Locomotiv Moscow, Marseille
- GROUP F: Braga, Red Star Belgrade, Ludogorets
- GROUP G: Bayer Leverkusen, Celtic, Real Betis
- GROUP H: Dinamo Zagreb, Genk, West Ham
HAMMER TIME
West Ham are out and find themselves in a winnable Group H! They join Dinamo Zagreb and Genk.
The sight of Mark Noble lifting the Europa League trophy next year is not yet out of the question…
POT TWO
Halfway through the draw and the excitement is already building for fans of Leicester City, Glasgow Rangers and Celtic.
- GROUP A: Lyon, Rangers
- GROUP B: Monaco, PSV Eindhoven
- GROUP C: Napoli, Leicester
- GROUP D: Olympiakos, Eintracht Frankfurt
- GROUP E: Lazio, Locomotiv Moscow
- GROUP F: Braga, Red Star Belgrade
- GROUP G: Bayer Leverkusen, Celtic
- GROUP H: Dinamo Zagreb, Genk
FOXES ON THE LOOSE
Leicester City have been drawn, and will slot in Group C alongside Napoli of Serie A.
POT ONE
It’s all straightforward enough with Pot One as the eight clubs drawn out are placed into the corresponding group in alphabetical order.
- GROUP A: Lyon
- GROUP B: Monaco
- GROUP C: Napoli
- GROUP D: Olympiakos
- GROUP E: Lazio
- GROUP F: Braga
- GROUP G: Bayer Leverkusen
- GROUP H: Dinamo Zagreb
HERE WE GO!
Ex-Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop and former Villarreal midfielder Marcos Senna have been introduced as the special guests to help conduct this season’s group stage draw.
But first, we’re forced to sit through some overly-complicated instructions on how the draw will play out. It makes flatpack furniture look a doddle.
A GUY CALLED GERARD
Gerard Moreno scores seven goals in 12 Europa League appearances as Villarreal went on to claim the trophy in May, and he’s been rewarded by being named last season’s Player of the Tournament.
The Spanish international was voted the winner ahead of Manchester United pair Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes by the 48 clubs that participated last year, as well as 55 football journalists.
HOST WELCOME
A smattering of socially-distanced applause introduces hosts Pedro Pinto and Laura Wontorra to the stage, and the pair are straight at it…
…and by it, I mean hyping up the Europa Conference League.
The draw for UEFA’s new competition will take place in approximately an hour and a half, but first it’s the Europa League, and what better way to build excitement for it than by reminding Manchester United fans of where it all went wrong for them in last season’s final.
The Red Devils were defeated on penalties by Villarreal in Gdansk in what was a first European title for the Yellow Submarine – but a fourth Europa League success for their manager, Unai Emery.
GOOD MORNING
Welcome to our live coverage of the draw for the group stage of this year’s Europa League.
We’re in Istanbul where 32 balls will be drawn, including those of West Ham United and Leicester City.
The Premier League pair are two of 12 clubs that qualified for this stage of the competition courtesy of last season’s league position, and they’ll also be joined by ten sides that have dropped in after missing out on the Champions League – and another ten, who have qualified via the play-offs.
Scottish duo Rangers and Celtic are also in the hat, as are Serie A sides Napoli and Lazio, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen of the Bundesliga, and Lyon, Marseille and Monaco from France.
Eight groups – A to H – will be drawn with teams separated into four pots, based on their UEFA club coefficient. At this point of the tournament, sides cannot be paired in a group with another from their own domestic league.
Stick with us for the draw as it happens plus all the reaction from those involved. Later, we’ll also be bringing you live coverage of the draw for the group stage of the inaugural Europa Conference League.
Give those balls a swirl… now let’s go!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
