Europa League

Aberdeen face Luxembourg opposition in Europa League first qualifying round

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 20 June 2016

Aberdeen are drawn against Luxembourgers Fola Esch in the Europa League first qualifying round, while Hearts will take on FC Infonet of Estonia.

Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen have been drawn against SC Fola Esch of Luxembourg in the first qualifying round for the 2016-17 Europa League.

It will be the first time that the Dons face opposition from Luxembourg, getting their campaign underway on June 30.

Aberdeen will host the Luxembourgers at Pittodrie in the first leg before travelling to the Stade Emile Mayrisch a week later.

Hearts, meanwhile, take on Estonians FC Infonet, who hit the headlines last season by beating amateur side Virtsu 36-0 in an Estonian Cup tie - the joint-biggest margin of victory in a match.

Their away match on June 30 could be moved from the 400-seater Lasnamae KJH Stadium to the Lillekula Stadium in Tallinn in order to accommodate the Scottish Premiership outfit.

Hearts also faced Tallinn opposition in the 1998-99 Cup Winners' Cup, beating Lantan Tallinn 6-0 on aggregate.

Another notable fixture from the draw will see Cork City take on Linfield in a cross-border Irish qualifier.

Hibernian were drawn in the second round of the competition following their Scottish Cup triumph last season, and the unseeded Championship outfit were out of the hat first.

They will face the winners of the match between Valur Reykjavik of Iceland and Brondy of Denmark, with the first leg taking place on July 14.

Aberdeen will take on either Ventspils or Vikingur in the second round if they get past Fola, while a tie against either Siroki Brijeg or Birkirkara awaits Hearts should they progress.