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Freiburg handed easy draw in Europa League return

Davis VanOpdorp
July 14, 2017

Freiburg, who finished seventh in the Bundesliga last season, has learned possible opponents as they attempt to qualify for the Europa League group stage. This is the club's first run in Europe since 2013-14.

https://p.dw.com/p/2gXFv
1. Bundesliga 32. Spieltag | SC Freiburg vs. FC Schalke 04
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/S. Hofmann

Hoping to return to the Europa League group stage, Freiburg has been drawn with the winner of the second round qualification matchup between Valur Reykjavik of Iceland and Domzale of Slovenia.

The Europa League has three qualifying rounds and one playoff round to determine the final participants for the competition's 48-team group stage. Freiburg, who earned the final qualification spot from the Bundesliga, enters the competition in the third round of qualifying.

Hertha Berlin and Cologne, the other two representatives from the Bundesliga, have already qualified outright for the Europa League group stage. Hoffenheim could also be part of the competition field if they fail to qualify for the Champions League group stage.

Domzale, who finished fourth in Slovenia's top league last season, have a 2-1 lead over Valur Reykjavik after the first leg on Thursday. The two are to meet in Domzale for the second leg next week. Neither team have ever made the group stage in European competition before.

Freiburg last played in the Europa League during the 2013-14 season, but only won one of the six games in the group stage and were eliminated from the competition.