Fulham to face NSI Runavik in Europa League

20 June 2011 19:39
ShareFulham manager Martin Jol is facing up to a mammoth 1,538-mile round trip to the Faroe Islands for the startof Fulham's Europa League campaign. [LNB]The Craven Cottage club were drawn against European unknowns NSI Runavik in the first qualifying round of next season's competition in Nyon.  [LNB]Fulham return to pre-season training on Thursday - just 31 days since the end of the season - to prepare for the clash against NSI Runavik.[LNB] The new man in charge: Jol's first opponent will be NSI Runavik[LNB]The first leg will take place at Craven Cottage on June 30 and the second on July 7, with the winners facing Northern Irish side Crusaders in the second qualifying round. [LNB]The second leg against has already been switched to Havnar Boltfelag FC's Gundadalur Stadium as the Runavik's usual 2,000 capacity ground is not approved by UEFA. [LNB]Fulham were handed a route into Europe via the Fair Play League, but Jol knows the qualification for the early stages of the competition could lead to problems. [LNB] [LNB] [LNB] We've been here before: Fulham were beaten finalists in 2010 [LNB]Jol said earlier this month: 'Let's not forget though that canhinder you in the season, the last time Fulham were in the Europa League they were 12th in the table.[LNB] 'We've got over 30 players, we'll start with the younger pros as well.  It's a bit early, June 30, so we have to work around it with good planning.' [LNB]Meanwhile, Fulham are set toput a number of former manager Mark Hughes' backroom team on gardening leave. [LNB]Mark Bowen, Eddie Niedzwiecki and Glyn Hodges - who worked under under Hughes - have been told they have no roles in Jol's new-look coaching team. [LNB]Despite Hughes' departure, the aforementioned trio have remained at the club meaning Fulham are still contractually obliged to pay their wages. [LNB]CHAMPIONS LEAGUE First Qualifying Round Tre Fiori v Valletta Santa Coloma v F91 Dudelange [LNB]Second Qualifying Round Maccabi Haifa v Borac Mogren v Litex Lovech Maribor v Santa Coloma/F91 Dudelange Skenderbeu v APOEL Nicosia Slovan Bratislava v Tobol SK Sturm Graz v Videoton FC FC Zestafoni v FC Dacia Dinamo Zagreb v Neftci Pyunik v Plzen Partizan Belgrade v Shkendija Tetovo Tre Fiori/Valletta v FK Ekranas Malmo FF v HB Torshavn Shamrock Rovers v Flora Tallinn Rosenborg v Breidablik HJK Helsinki v Bangor City Skonto FC v Wisla Krakow Linfield v BATE [LNB]First round ties to be played 28-29 June and 5-6 July [LNB]Second round ties to be played 12-13 and 19-20 July[LNB]EUROPA LEAGUE First Qualifying Round KR Reykjavik v IF Fuglafjordur FC Daugava v Tromso IF Elfsborg v CS Fola Esch The New Saints FC v Cliftonville FC Honka v Nomme Kalju Fulham v NSI Runavik IBV Vestmannaeyjar v St Patricks BK Hacken v UN 97 Kaerjeng Aalesund v Neath Renova v Glentoran Koper v Shakhter Karaganda FC Banga v Karabakh Azersun Paks v UE Santa Coloma Rabotnicki Kometal v Trans Narva Rad Belgrade v Tre Penne Buducnost Podgorica v Flaumurtari Uliss Yerevan v Ferencvaros Jagiellonia Bialystok v Irtysh Minsk v AZAL Dinamo Tbilisi v FC Milsami Varazdin v Lusitanos Banants Yerevan v Olimpi Rustavi Birkirkara v Vllaznia Shkoder Siroki Brijeg v Olimpija Ljubljana FC Spartak Trnava v Zeta [LNB]First round ties to be played 30 June and 7 July [LNB]  Jol is a coup for Fulham: Schwarzer pleased with new Craven Cottage bossMartin Jol up for a fast start in Fulham's Euro Zone after signing two-year dealHughes quits Fulham to leave door open for switch to Villa Explore more:People: Martin Jol, Mark Hughes Places: London, Belfast, Hungary, Northern Ireland

Source: Daily_Mail