Far out

This weekend saw Cliftonville’s list of potential Europa League Preliminary Round opponents narrowed further thanks to developments in Andorra, Luxembourg and Wales – the knock-on effect of which means that the Reds cannot face a team from the Faroe Islands.

As regular visitors to our dedicated guide will attest, there will eventually be just six sides in the hat when the draw is conducted in little more than three weeks’ time, however it will take a further fortnight for every entrant to be confirmed.

One outfit Cliftonville will not be facing are 2016 Europa League foes Differdange, whose 0-0 draw with Mondorf les Bains in yesterday’s final round of Luxembourg National Division fixtures saw them miss out on possible qualification on goal difference.

That position was instead snapped up by Progres Niedercorn, who will await the outcome of next Saturday’s Cup Final to determine whether it is they or Jeunesse Esch – who could yet be elevated straight into the First Qualifying Round – who assume the country’s remaining continental berth.

On the same day, the Andorran Cup decider will likewise book another team’s place in the Europa League, with finalists Inter Club d’Escaldes (who face Champions Santa Coloma) or third-placed Engodarny set to join Sant Julia in stamping their passports this summer.

In Wales, meanwhile, the situation is much more cut and dried, with Cardiff Metropolitan University getting the better of favourites Bala Town in yesterday’s Play-Off Final.

Using a structure which reflects the Danske Bank Premiership’s Play-Off model, seventh-placed Met overcame sixth-placed Bala on penalties to join Barry Town in the Unseeded pot for next month’s draw, meaning both are in the mix to be paired with Cliftonville.

Conversely, this weekend’s results mean that KI Klaksvik join fellow Faroese representatives NSI Runavik in the Seeded ranks, thus ruling them out of meeting the Reds when proceedings take place in Nyon on Tuesday, June 11 – and cliftonvillefc.net will continue to present the web’s most detailed guide to our full list of potential opponents on a daily basis.

Simply click here to run the rule over all confirmed qualifiers as well as sides across the continent who are still battling to secure their place, with supporters advised to make regular checks to this section, which will be periodically updated to reflect the latest standings, thus bringing a clearer picture as to the identity of the Reds’ next continental foes.