Champions League 2018: Who are the minnows that kick the tournament off?
The astounding battle between Real Madrid and Liverpool in the Champions League final at the beginning of the month will still be fresh in the memories of many.
That game was a true Champions League classic, and the tournament which produces some of the most historic of footballing moments starts again next week.
We might not be near the glamorous setting of one of Europe’s best stadia, waiting for two star-studded clubs to face off, but the trials and tribulations of the Champions League officially get underway on Tuesday.
While none of the clubs involved in the preliminary stages of the tournament, the ones I am going to outline here, might make it to the box-office feel of the final competition, they still make up a crucial part of proceedings.
Let’s not forget that Liverpool’s immense journey started in these qualifiers, against Hoffenheim almost a year ago.
These are the sides (understandably none of whom you may have heard of) who get the Champions League ball rolling yet again.
Champions League: Preliminary Round – Tuesday 26th June 2018
La Fiorita (SMR) vs Lincoln Red Imps (GIB)
FC Santa Coloma (AND) vs Drita (KOS)
La Fiorita (San Marino)
Five-time winners of the Campionato Sammarinese, last season their second consecutive title, La Fiorita are giving Champions League football another go.
Their upcoming clash against Gibraltarian champions Lincoln Red Imps represents the first time there has been a preliminary round in the competition.
Previously, La Fiorita failed to advance past the first qualifying round on each of their European ventures. This year marks their third Champions League journey, while they have also been humbled in the Europa League on four occasions.
Until last year, La Fiorita hadn’t managed to avoid an aggregate defeat of less than 4-0. A goal in a 10-1 aggregate loss to FC Vaduz was their first ever European goal.
The majority of La Fiorita’s players come from either San Marino or Italy. Andy Djeng of Senegal, and Argentine Adrian Ricchiuti are their only non-European contingent. They didn’t quite come close to either nations’ World Cup squads…
For La Fiorita it is finally a chance to exorcise some demons and win a European match, creating a piece of small history in the process.
FC Santa Coloma (Andorra)
Andorra’s most decorated side clinched their fifth successive championship last term.
They not only hold the most Premier Divisio titles, but are also the single club from the nation to win a European match without conceding a goal.
That was back in 2015, when they edged Armenian side Banants, eventually progressing on away goals for the first time in their history.
More from Champions League
- PSV Eindhoven v Rangers: Can Gers make it through to group stage?
- Manchester City win their first Champions League
- Champions League Final: Manchester City meets Internazionale in Istanbul
- Manchester City standing on the cusp of a treble
- Barcelona Femeni win their second Champions League title
Maccabi Tel Aviv eventually ended their dream that year, however some European experience might help them get a little further this time around.
They have been unlucky to draw Alashkert in the first qualifying round the last two seasons – losing comfortably both times – but this term they have been paired with Kosovar debutants Drita.
It looks a far more winnable prospect for the Colomencs (as they are known locally) and perhaps the Champions League dream won’t die as quickly this year. Only time will tell.
Drita (Kosovo)
Drita are set to compete in their first ever European match against FC Santa Coloma.
Kosovan clubs weren’t granted access into the competition until two seasons ago, and they remain one of just six teams to have a UEFA license for either the Champions League or Europa League.
Prishtina and Trepca 89 are the only other Kosovar sides to get a taste of European football.
Drita will join that admittedly short list, and can enjoy a trip to Andorra in a one-legged clash to see whose Champions League venture will continue.
Lincoln Red Imps (Gibraltar)
Lincoln Red Imps were formed just 46 years ago in 1976.
Since then they have competed in ten Champions League games over five seasons, and should comfortably ease past La Fiorita if their previous record is anything to go by.
They have cruised past the first round of qualifying on two of their three Champions League adventures. But both times, far higher calibre opposition in Midtjylland and Celtic locked horns with the Gibraltarians, and they were challenges too tough to take.
They did make Scottish news for a short time in 2016 when they beat Celtic in the first leg of their second round qualifier. It was soon forgotten, though, as the Bhoys stormed to a 3-0 victory at Celtic Park.
Next: Can Croatia go all the way to the World Cup final?
Out of the four clubs in this preliminary round Lincoln Red Imps are the most experienced. They go into the pre-qualifying competition as favourites to get through.