Connect with us

Sports

FULL LIST: UEFA Champions League Play-off Draw Unveiled

Published

on

The stage is set for the final hurdle before the group stages, as the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League play-off round draw took place on Monday, August 5, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.

The draw, held at 12:00 CET, determined the matchups that will be played on August 20/21 and 27/28, where teams will vie for a coveted spot in the prestigious tournament’s main event.

PUNCH Online retrieved this from a release obtained from the UCL website on Monday night.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Defence Chief Reacts To Protesters Waving Russian Flags

It was titled, “UEFA Champions League play-off round draw.”

Here is the full list of the draws:
Young Boys Bern (SUI) vs. Galatasaray (TUR)

Advertisement

Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) vs. Qarabag (AZE) or Ludogorets (BUL)

Midtjylland (DEN) or Ferencvaros (HUN) vs. Slovan Bratislava (SVK) or APOEL Nicosia (CYP)

Jagiellonia Bialystok (POL) or Bodo/Glimt (NOR) vs. Crvena Zvezda (SRB)

Advertisement

Malmo (SWE) or PAOK (GRE) vs. Sparta Prague (CZE) or Steaua Bucharest (ROU)

Lille (FRA) or Fenerbahce (TUR) vs Slavia Prague (CZE) or Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL)

Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) or Rangers (SCO) vs. RB Salzburg (AUT) or Twente (NED)

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Defence Chief Reacts To Protesters Waving Russian Flags

The PUNCH reports that the UEFA Champions League play-off round draw follows specific procedures to ensure fairness. Teams play home and away matches in a knockout system.

An equal number of seeded and unseeded clubs are paired based on club coefficient rankings. Restrictions prevent certain teams from being drawn against each other.

Advertisement

In the Champions Path, 10 teams were split into five seeded and five unseeded categories. In the league path, four teams were divided into two seeded and two unseeded groups.

The draw determines matchups and home teams for the first legs, with the schedule and kick-off times managed by UEFA.

Advertisement

Sports

EPL: Rooney Names Team To Win Title

Published

on

Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.

City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:EPL: Chelsea Winger, Mudryk Banned For Four Years After Failing Drug Test 

Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.

He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.

Advertisement

“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”

Continue Reading

Sports

UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

Published

on

Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:EPL: Guardiola Reveals Only Chance Man City Will Win Title Ahead Of Arsenal

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

Advertisement

If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

READ ALSO:EPL: Arsenal In Shock Move To Sign Kvaratskhelia From PSG

You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

Advertisement

“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival

Published

on

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.

Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.

Advertisement

His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.

READ ALSO:Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office

He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.

Advertisement

We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.

The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.

Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:2025 NYG: Be Determined, Enabulele Charges Team Edo, As Screening Commences In A’Ibom

Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.

Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.

Advertisement

We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.

He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending