Arsenal handed a harsh Champions League draw
Although Arsenal held the highest ranking, they faced unfavorable luck in the draw for the Women’s Champions League Qualifying round, as they were matched against two of the most challenging teams possible.
In the semi-finals, Arsenal will face the Swedish team Linköpings. If they emerge victorious from that match, they will then contend against either FC Kryvbas from Ukraine or Paris Football Club from France.
The location of the games and the hosts are yet to be confirmed. It is worth noting that all four teams are assured of playing two games. In the event of losing in the semi-finals, there will be a third-place play-off, granting the winner 1 coefficient point and the loser 0.5 points.
Here is the complete schedule for round 1:
Champions pathway fixtures
Group 1:
Semi-finals
FerencvárosI TC (HUN) vs F.C. Qiryat Gat (ISR)
AS FC Universitatea Olimpia Cluj (ROU) vs Spartak Myjava (SVK)
Group 2:
Semi-finals
FC Vorskla (UKR) vs FC Flora Tallinn (EST)
SFK 2000 Sarajevo (BIH) vs ŽNK Osijek (CRO)
Group 3:
Semi-finals
NŠ Mura (SVN) vs FC Samegrelo (GEO)
Apollon Ladies FC (CYP) vs ZFK Ljuboten (MKD)
Group 4:
Semi-finals
HB Køge (DEN) vs KuPS Kuopio (FIN)
ŽFK Spartak Subotica (SRB) vs KÍ Klaksvík (FRO)
Group 5:
Semi-finals
RSC Anderlecht (BEL) vs GKS Katowice (POL)
SK Brann (NOR) vs Lokomotiv Stara Zagora (BUL)
Group 6:
Semi-finals
WFC BIIK-Shymkent (KAZ) vs SFK Rīga (LVA)
SL Benfica (POR) vs Cliftonville Ladies (NIR)
Group 7:
Semi-finals
Valur (ISL) vs Ankara Büyükşehir Belediyesi Fomget SK (TUR)
KFF Vllaznia (ALB) vs FC KFF EP-Hajvalia (KOS)
Group 8:
Semi-finals
FC Gintra (LTU) vs Cardiff City FC (WAL)
Glasgow City FC (SCO) vs Shelbourne FC (IRL)
Group 9:
Semi-final
A.C. PAOK (GRE) vs Racing FC Union Luxembourg (LUX)
Final
SKN St. Pölten Frauen (AUT) vs PAOK / Racing FC Union Luxembourg
Group 10:
Semi-final
FC Dinamo-BSUPC (BLR) vs CSF Agarista Anenii Noi (MDA)
Final
AFC Ajax (NED) vs Dinamo-BSUPC / Agarista Anenii Noi
Group 11:
Semi-final
FK Breznica (MNE) vs Birkirkara FC (MLT)
Final
FC Zürich (SUI) vs Breznica / Birkirkara
League path
Group 1:
Semi-finals
FC Twente (NED) vs SK Sturm Graz (AUT)
Levante UD (ESP) vs Stjarnan (ISL)
Group 2:
Semi-finals
Juventus (ITA) vs WFC Okzhetpes (KAZ)
Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) vs 1. FC Slovácko (CZE)
Group 3:
Semi-finals
Paris FC (FRA) vs FC Kryvbas (UKR)
Arsenal WFC (ENG) vs Linköping FC (SWE)
Group 4:
Semi-finals
Brøndby IF (DEN) vs Celtic FC (SCO)
FC Minsk (BLR) vs Vålerenga Football (NOR)
If Arsenal successfully advance to Qualifying Round 2, they will be given a favorable seeding and ideally face a relatively weaker opponent in a two-legged home-and-away match.
The objective would be to secure a victory and qualify for the Group Stage.
Arsenal handed a harsh Champions League draw
