Heavyweights hold fire in early Europa Cup phases

The inaugural Europa Cup, which replaces the now defunct UEFA Cup, threw up some interesting matches when the draw was made here on Monday for the first of three qualifying rounds.

Scottish Premier League side Motherwell are pitted against Welsh outfit Llanelli.

The draws represent Phase One of UEFA’s new Europa Cup, replacing the former UEFA cup and Intertoto cup competitions.

Bigger hitters including Fulham from the English Premier League and Motherwell’s Scottish Premier League rivals Aberdeen will enter the contest in the third round on July 17.

The system now comprises three qualifying rounds, a play-off round and a 48-team group stage, with five subsequent knockout rounds to be played in early 2010.

In the three qualifying rounds and the play-off stage, clubs play two matches against each other on a home and away basis, with the club scoring the greater aggregate of goals qualifying for the next round.

Monday’s draw, to be played on July 2 and July 9, also set Northern Ireland’s Linfield against Randers of Denmark while fellow Ulstermen Lisburn will play Zestafoni from Georgia.

The second round, on July 16 and 23, pits Scottish Cup runners-up Falkirk against Vaduz of Liechtenstein, just relegated from the Swiss first division.

Welsh club Bangor meet Finnish outfit Honka, while Northern Ireland’s Crusaders are drawn against Macedonia’s Rabotnicki.

Dublin-based St Patrick Athletic will play the winner of the first round clash between Maltese side Valetta and Icelandic team Keflavik.

The final takes place in Hamburg on May 12.