Libertas from San Marino, Birkirkara from Malta and Portadown from Northern Ireland are the opponents of the three Macedonian participants in the Europa League qualifications.

The three Macedonian teams in the Europa League received a favorable draw, at least on paper.  The domestic cup winner Renova will face the runner-up from San Marino in Libertas.  The club ended up first in the regular season of the Group A league in the Sanmarinese championship, and then reached the final in the play-off for champion where it was defeated by Tre Penne.

Metalurg, who finished second in the First League, was drawn to face Maltese side Birkirkara, who finished third at the end of the season in their domestic championship.  Birkirkara has managed to eliminate just two teams internationally in their history, once in the UEFA Cup in 2001 against Georgian club Lokomotivi Tbilisi and in last summer’s Champions League qualifications when they got past Santa Coloma from Andorra.

Shkendija will face a somewhat tougher challenge in Portadown from Northern Ireland.  They were second in the Northern Irish football league last season.  Last summer, Renova faced a team from Northern Ireland in Glentoran during the Europa League qualifications, and was eventually eliminated on penalties.

First round first leg, 5 July 2012:
Renova (MKD) vs. Libertas (SMR)
Birkirkara (MLT) vs. Metalurg (MKD)
Shkendija (MKD) vs. Portadown (NIR)

First round return leg, 12 July 2012:
Libertas (SMR) vs. Renova (MKD)
Metalurg (MKD) vs. Birkirkara (MLT)
Portadown (NIR) vs. Shkendija (MKD)

If the Macedonian teams advance to the second qualifying round, they will face the following opponents:

Renova (MKD) vs. Víkingur (FRO)/ Gomel (BLR)
Ruch Chorzów (POL) vs. Metalurg (MKD)
Slaven Koprivnica (CRO) vs. Shkendija (MKD)

The two legs from this round are scheduled for 19 and 26 July.