Fully qualified

The entry list for the first qualifying round of the Europa Conference League is now complete – and all of Cliftonville’s potential opponents have been identified.

Vllaznia’s Albanian Cup victory this evening means that defeated finalists Laci will assume the last remaining seeded spot for next month’s draw as the Reds prepare to make their debut in UEFA’s newest Club competition.

As regular visitors to our dedicated European Guide will be aware, the number of confirmed participants in the first qualifying round has been slowly but surely narrowing as various Leagues and Cup tournaments across the continent have drawn to a close in recent weeks.

Tonight’s encounter between Laci and Vllaznia at the Air Albania Stadium – which, incidentally, played host to the inaugural Conference League Final between Roma and Feyenoord less than a week ago – resolved the last outstanding issue, meaning all eyes can now turn to the June 14 draw in Nyon.

While there are currently 29 seeded teams that Paddy McLaughlin’s side could be paired with, UEFA are expected to reduce this number to just four or five in the days leading up to the draw – and, as ever, cliftonvillefc.net will ensure our supporters are kept fully informed of all developments as the countdown to the 2022/23 season continues in earnest.