Eur queries answered

Less than a fortnight has passed since the curtain came down on Cliftonville’s season but, having secured European qualification via the Play-Offs, it’s only natural that supporters’ minds are already wandering to next month’s UEFA Conference League first qualifying round draw.

For some, the occasion will represent a first opportunity to follow the Reds on the continent, while others are looking forward to renewing a familiar routine of planes, trains and automobiles to get behind their team. All of them, though, have one simple question on their minds – where could the draw take us?

Cliftonville’s opponents will be determined on Tuesday, June 17 ahead of first and second leg ties being played on July 10 and 17, respectively, and you can keep track of all potential opponents thanks to the return of our dedicated European Guide here on cliftonvillefc.net.

The web’s most comprehensive look at all the permutations in play, be sure to maintain a daily check of the page as various Leagues and Cups across the continent draw to a conclusion over the course of the next few weeks.

As things stand, 21 of 25 possible opponents have been confirmed and our European Guide will reflect all the latest developments in Leagues and Cup competitions across the UEFA spectrum, but those of you who would prefer a more straightforward explanation may find some of the answers you need below.

Which teams are already confirmed as potential first qualifying round opponents?
There will be 25 teams that Cliftonville could face and, with 21 already confirmed, all that remains to be determined are entrants from Armenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, plus two sides from a pot of four who have yet to be assigned Seeded or Unseeded status.

Are there any teams Cliftonville cannot face in the first qualifying round?
A full 22 other teams have already been handed Unseeded status (including Gibraltarian representatives Calpe City Magpies, who will technically not exist until June 1), meaning they cannot be paired with the Reds. A side from Kosovo as well as two from the unassigned group will be added to the mix, while Larne are the only Seeded team that Cliftonville definitely cannot be drawn to face.

Will Cliftonville’s opponents definitely be confirmed on the day of the draw?
Yes. Unlike last season when we entered the competition in the second qualifying round and had to wait on the outcome of a tie in the first phase, the Reds’ opposition will be known on June 17.

Are the dates for the first and second legs set in stone?
No. All aspects of first qualifying round matches are subject to change. While Cliftonville are the only Belfast side participating in this stage of the competition, UEFA’s preference to avoid fixture conflicts in any particular city extends to all potential opponents, meaning that the order of home and away legs could be reversed and that matches may be switched to new dates entirely, with the same principles also applying with regards live broadcast or streaming agreements.

Could Cliftonville be drawn against a team we have faced before?
Yes. Though Cliftonville have never faced the same opposition in two different European campaigns, Latvian side Auda, whom we met last season, could yet be assigned Seeded status, while League of Ireland representatives Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic have a long history of fixtures against the Reds.

What teams are still in the running to qualify?
There are five nations where entry to the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round has yet to be confirmed. These are detailed below and can be cross-checked against the information provided in our dedicated European Guide.

Armenia
Ararat-Armenia or Urartu
– To be confirmed no later than May 28
– Eventual entrant will be Seeded and could therefore be drawn against Cliftonville

Bosnia-Herzegovina
Borac or Zrinjski Mostar
– To be confirmed no later than May 31
– Eventual entrant will be Seeded and could therefore be drawn against Cliftonville

Kosovo
Ferijaz, Gjilani or Malisheva
– To be confirmed no later than May 25
– Eventual entrant will be Unseeded and cannot be drawn against Cliftonville

Luxembourg
Dudelange, Progres Niederkorn, Racing Union or Swift Hesperange
– To be confirmed no later than May 28
– Eventual winner’s seeding status has not yet been confirmed, meaning they could be drawn against Cliftonville

Montenegro
Decic or Mornar
– To be confirmed on May 29
– Eventual winner’s seeding status has not yet been confirmed, meaning they could be drawn against Cliftonville