Servette open their European Cup campaign in the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa League against Portuguese side Braga or Israeli side Maccabi Petach Tikva.
Geneva have thus drawn what is likely to be a difficult draw for the clash with the first leg away on August 8 and the second leg at home a week later. Braga finished fourth in Portugal last season behind Sporting, Benfica and FC Porto. In the last five seasons, the club has reached a European Cup group stage every time, and last season in the Champions League. Braga go into the clash with Israeli cup winners Maccabi Petach Tikva as clear favorites.
Lugano also already knows its opponents for the 3rd qualifying round - either in the Champions League or the Europa League. If the Ticino side win their clash with Fenerbahce Istanbul, Lille await. The French side, who finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season, have former Basel player Edon Zhegrova among their ranks. The first leg would take place on August 6 or 7 in Lille, the second leg on August 13 in Thun.
If Lugano is eliminated by Fenerbahce, it will continue in the Europa League against the loser of the Champions League clash between Partizan Belgrade and Dynamo Kiev. Both teams finished the last domestic championship in 2nd place.
Zurich and St.Gallen also know their opponents
In the Conference League, the tasks for Zurich and St.Gallen will be more difficult if they survive the 2nd qualifying round against the Irish side Shelbourne and the Kazakh side Tobol respectively. FCZ would probably face Vitoria Guimarães from Portugal, who should have no trouble against Malta's Floriana. St.Gallen would be up against Riga or the Poles from Wroclaw.
The matches in the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa and Conference League will take place on August 8 and 15.
SDA
