The JD Cymru Premier’s European representatives for 2024/25 discovered their first qualifying round opponents in today’s draws in Nyon.
In the UEFA Champions League, The New Saints will take on FK Dečić who are making their debut in the competition after winning the Montenegrin First League for the first time in 2023/24.
Managed by former Montenegro international Milorad Peković, this will be just a third European campaign for FK Dečić after defeat in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2021/22 and 2022/23.
Although The New Saints are, in contrast, veterans in European competition, this will be their first ever tie against Montenegrin opposition.
If Craig Harrison’s side are victorious in their first qualifying round tie, they will meet Hungarian champions Ferencváros in the second qualifying round. Should they lose to FK Dečić, they will meet either Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad or Dinamo Batumi of Georgia in the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round.
In the UEFA Conference League, a first trip to Slovenia awaits for Connah’s Quay Nomads as they have been drawn against NK Bravo.
NK Bravo were only promoted to the Slovenian top-flight in 2019 and are competing in Europe for the first time in their history after finishing fourth last season.
Progress to the second qualifying round would see the Nomads come up against HŠK Zrinjski Mostar of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bala Town are back in Europe for the first time in two years and they have been handed a tie against Paide Linnameeskond of Estonia in the UEFA Conference League.
This is Paide Linnameeskond’s fifth consecutive season in European competition, with their best performance coming in 2022/23 when they made it to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League before defeat to Anderlecht.
It will be Bala’s second visit to Estonia after they made their European debut against Levadia Tallinn in 2013/14.
Colin Caton’s side will meet either Icelandic side Stjarnan or Northern Ireland’s Linfield if they make it through to the second qualifying round.
Finally, Caernarfon Town’s first ever European campaign begins against Crusaders of Northern Ireland in the UEFA Conference League.
The Belfast-based side, seven-time winners of the NIFL Premiership, are regulars in European competition and have progressed to the second qualifying round in the previous two campaigns.
Richard Davies’ men will be well-travelled to Northern Ireland as they make the journey to Cliftonville for a pre-season friendly at the end of June.
A mouthwatering tie awaits the Cofis if they progress to the second qualifying round, as they would come up against Polish giants Legia Warsaw.
All first qualifying round first legs will be played in the week commencing 8 July, before the second legs in the week commencing 15 July. Exact dates, kick-off times and home/away allocations will be confirmed by UEFA in due course.
