European Cup draw: who can Czech teams possibly face in the third round?

This Wednesday and Thursday, the Czech teams will play in the European Cups. On Wednesday, Viktoria Plzeň will play in the second round of the Champions League, while Slavia and Sparta will play in the second round of the Europa League on Thursday. Slovácko will be the only one to make its first appearance in the third round.

FC Viktoria Plzen

The second Champions League preliminary round awaits the winner of the Czech league, which this year is Viktoria Plzeň. In this double-header, they will face Finnish team HJK Helsiniki. The Finns eliminated Riga on penalties in the first preliminary round. The Czech champion will be the clear favourite in this match.

In case of advancing to the third preliminary round, Plzeň may face one of the winners of these matches – Maribor will go up against Sheriff Tiraspol, Linfield will challenge Bodo/Glimt and Pjunik Yerevan will face Luxembourg’s Dudelange.

Sheriff Tiraspol or Bodo/Glimt, who managed to beat Real Madrid and AS Rome respectively in the European Cups last season, could be a big threat.

A loss against Helsinki will not mean the end of the European cups. The Victorians would be relegated to the third round of the Europa League, where they would face any team defeated in the Champions League in the championship section.

SK Slavia Prague

Slavia Prague will take on St. Josephs of Gibraltar in the second round of the Europa Conference. They will enter the double-header as a big favourite where no one expects to falter. However, even the Susians can’t afford that, in case of defeat in any preliminary round the European Cups are over for them.

In case of advancing to the third preliminary round, they may face one winner from the following matches:
Sepsi – Olimpija Ljubljana
KF Vllaznica – CS U Craiova
Koper – Vaduz
Petrocub Hincesti – Laci
Panathinaikos

Even in the third preliminary round, Slavia shouldn’t have a problem with advancing on paper, unless they run into Panathinaikos of Greece, which seems to be the only bigger club of all the possibilities.

AC Sparta Prague

Like Slavia, Sparta Prague will also jump into the second preliminary round of the Conference Europa League. Its opponent will be Norway’s Viking Stavanger, against whom Sparta’s players will be the favourites. In case of a loss, the Czech club would be out of the cups for next season.

In case of promotion, Sparta could face one of the winners of one of the following matches:
Spartak Trnava – Newtown
Breidablik – Buducnost Podgorica
Motherwell – Sligo Rovers
AIK Stockholm – Vorskla Poltava

If Sparta and Trnava advance, there could be a Czechoslovakian clash. The toughest opponent seems to be Sweden’s AIK Stockholm.

1. FC Slovácko

Slovácko will not feature in the second preliminary round of the Europa League. It will make its debut in the third preliminary round. In this match, however, it may come up against some really sound opponents. Fenerbahce will soon face Dynamo Kiev, AEK Larnaca will challenge Midtjylland.

However, it would not be the winner of these matches, but the loser who would be relegated to the Europa League from the Champions League.

So our three teams start this Wednesday and Thursday (July 20 and 21) and play their rematches a week later (July 27 and 28). Plzeň, Sparta and Slavia are expected to confirm their role as favourites, advance and contribute to the Czech coefficient.

However, a big question mark is currently hanging over Slovácko, who, despite the undeniable quality of their team, will probably face a very difficult duel.

Sources: UEFA, 1. FC Slovácko