The draw for the Qualification round of the women's Champions League was made yesterday at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon and, Scottish Champions Glasgow City FC were drawn in a challenging group. Pulled out of the hat at the end, City find themselves in Group 8, alonside Finnish Champions PK-35 Vantaa, Croatian Champions WFC Osijek and Moldovan Champions FC Noroc Nimoreni. Although top seeds for the qualification group, City could not have hoped for a more difficult route to the knock-out stages, as they face two sides in PK-35 Vantaa and WFC Osijek who are arguably two of the strongest sides in the qualification stages. Only the group winners are guaranteed to progress, meaning City will need to be at their very best to make it into the last 32. The Finnish team are the hosts for Glasgow City’s group, meaning all three games will be played in Helsinki between the 11th and 16th of August.
Glasgow City ahead of Champions League action last year (c) Ger Harley | SportPixCommenting on the draw and the task ahead, Glasgow City first team Assistant Coach Donald Jennow said: "After a successful first half to the domestic season we now know where this year’s European campaign will start. While we are currently enjoying our midseason break, today's draw was never far from anyone's mind. In truth, I don't think we could have had a much tougher draw. Newcomers Nimoreni are an unknown quantity and both PK Vantaa and Osijek qualified for the knockout stages of last season’s competition which means at a minimum one of the three of us will have to miss out this year. Playing in Finland at least will be more what the players are used to in terms of climate, certainly compared to the heat in Serbia, which we faced at the same stage last year. Last year’s competition saw us reach the last 16 of the tournament, an achievement of which we are extremely proud. It served as proof of the progress we have made, however, our ambition does not end there. The first step in emulating, or potentially surpassing, last year’s European campaign is the qualifying round and if we prepare properly it may not be our last. Our aim is simple but by no means unique - qualify from the group."
Source: FOOTYMAD
