Shkendija got the Estonian champion while Akademija Pandev, Makedonija GjP and Shkupi will face Zrinjski, Alashkert and Pyunik in the Europa League.

photo by UEFA: Shkendija is being drawn

Macedonian champions Shkendija got a dream draw for the 2nd qualifying round of the Champions League. They were the first pair to be drawn in the draw and got to play against Estonian champions Kalju from the capital city of Tallinn. Shkendija was seeded in the draw and avoided the better opponents. Keep in mind that our champions starts from the 2nd round since the 1st consists only of the four lowest ranked national league champions.

Kalju vs Shkendija
Shkendija vs Kalju

The first leg is scheduled for 9/10 July with the return for the 16/17.

If Shkendija eliminates the Estonians then in the 3rd round will face the winner of the clash between Scottish giants Celtic and Bosnian champions Sarajevo.

Celtic / Sarajevo vs Kalju / Shkendija

It is interesting that due to the format changes from this season if Shkendija gets eliminated in any round will then continue in the Europa League. If Shkendija gets eliminated by Kalju will play in the UEL 2nd qualifying round against the losing side of the clash between Dudelange of Luxembourg and Valletta of Malta.

All Macedonian teams that entered the Europa League draw were unseeded. Still everyone for a great draw. Despite the unseeded position, no team is favorite in the three clashes. Cup winners Akademija Pandev was paired with Bosnian side Zrinjski who back in 2007 was eliminated by Rabotnichki in the UEFA Cup. Both Makedonija GjP and Shkupi got Armenian opponents. Unlike Alashkert, Pyunik is well known to the Macedonian fans as they have so far faced Macedonian teams three times and in each occasion they managed to win the tie. Pobeda, Teteks and Vardar were their victims. It’s now up to Shkupi to break that negative record.

Akademija Pandev vs Zrinjski
Zrinjski vs Akademija Pandev