The JD Cymru Premier clubs will face their European opponents in the first qualifying round of the Champions League and the Europa Conference League over the next two weeks.
Connah’s Quay v Alashkert – Champions League first qualifying round.
First Leg: July 7, 19.00 – Park Avenue, Aberystwyth
This is the sixth season Andy Morrison has led the Nomads to European football following Connah’s Quay’s 2019/20 title winning season.
After a disappointing 0-2 loss in last season’s Champions League first qualifying round against FK Sarajevo, The Nomads will play in the Champions League qualifiers for the second consecutive season after clinching the JD Cymru Premier title in dramatic fashion on the last day of the season.
The Nomads will hope to go one step further and reach the second qualifying round this season – but if Morrison’s men fail to win the first round they will get a second chance at European football, entering the second round of the Europa Conference League.
The Armenian champions, Alashkert will travel to Wales – competing in the Champions League qualifying round for the first time in three years.
The last time Alashkert appeared in the Champions League qualifying rounds, the Armenian side faced Celtic – with the Scottish giants winning 6-0 over two legs.
On playing the fixture in Aberystwyth, Andy Morrison has said ‘there were a couple of clubs we could have switched it to, but I’m trying to make it as logically difficult as I can for Alashkert. Next week we face a six-and-a-half-hour charter flight to Armenia, so the first leg is so important.’
Connah’s Quay have been busy over the summer months adding several new additions to the squad, with former TNS winger, Jamie Mullan joining Jordan Davies and Tim Bibby at the Deeside Stadium.
The second leg will be played on July 14, 16.00 – Yerevan, Armenia.
Bala Town v Larne – Uefa Europa Conference League
First Leg: July 8, 19.00 – Park Hall, Oswestry
Having won an European round for the first time ever last season against Valletta of Malta, Bala Town will be hoping to create fond memories once again this season.
Bala Town came close to causing shock last season against Belgian giants Standard Liege in the second qualifying round of the European League.
Liege took the lead after 20 minutes of the game through a penalty kick from Felipe Avenatti. Minutes later, Bala won a spot kick, but captain Chris Venables missed the opportunity. The game finished 2-0 to the home side.
Colin Caton’s men is competing in the European Conference for the first time this season – the new UEFA competition.
Challenging them is Larne from Northern Ireland who is competing in Europe for the first time since their formation 132 years ago.
Larne has only been back in the Northern Ireland Premier League for two years after gaining promotion in 2019.
Colin Caton has strengthened Bala’s squad for this match, signing former Wales international David Edwards of Shrewsbury. Also joining: Paul Rutherford from Wrexham, Calum Woods from SC East Bengal, Danny Walker-Rice from Tranmere and Brad Bauress from Chester.
Second Leg will be played on July 15, 18.30 – Parc Inver, Larne.
Dundalk v Newtown – Uefa Europa Conference League
First Leg: July 8, 17.45 – Oriel Park, Dundalk.
After winning the JD Cymru Premier play-offs last season, Newtown have reached Europe for the first time since 2015.
It was a special experience for the Robins in the 2015 Europa League – beating Valletta of Malta 4-2 over the course of two legs, before going head to head with Danish giants København (losing 5-1 over two legs).
It will be abother tough task this time around against Irish club Dundalk who have 84 European games under their belt in all competitions.
Dundalk reached the last 16 of the 1980 European Cup – their best ever performance in Europe.
The Irish outfit reached the Europa League’s group stage last season but lost all six matches against Arsenal, Molde and Rapid Wien.
Newtown have bolstered their squad ahead of their European adventure with the signings of Naim Arsan from Cefn Druids and Aaron Williams from Telford. Left back Callum Roberts has also signed for the club on a permanent basis from Connah’s Quay.
Second Leg: July 13, 17.45 – Park Hall, Oswestry.
Glentoran v The New Saints – Uefa Europa Conference League
First Leg: July 8, 18.45 – The Oval, Belfast.
Following the disappointment of missing out on the JD Cymru Premier title on the final day of last season, The New Saints will compete in the Europa Conference League for the first time this season.
For the second consecutive season, the Saints have failed to reach the Champions League.
The New Saints will be competing in Europe for the 22nd season in a row this summer – the last time they missed out was in the 1999-00 season!
Despite beating Zilina in last season’s Europa League 1st Qualifying Round, it was a disappointing result in the following round for the Saints – losing on penalties against B36 in the Faroe Islands.
The New Saints will face Glentoran on Thursday, a side with a rich history in Europe. The Northern Irish side have played 100 European matches in all competitions, beating huge clubs such as Arsenal and Basel over the years.
Glentoran finished in 3rd place in the Northern Irish Premier League last season – one position above Bala’s opponents, Larne.
Anthony Limbrick has added to his squad ahead of their European campaign with Danny Davies arriving from Connah’s Quay, Jordan Williams signing from Stockport and Declan McManus swapping Dunfermline for Oswestry.
The Australian will hope that the new faces can have an impact in his first European match as a manager on Thursday evening.
Second Leg: July 15, 18.15 – Park Hall, Oswestry.
