MX23RW : Wednesday, July 3 05:47:09| >> :600:1513933:1513933:
[monks data]
Aberdeen logo
Europa League | First Qualifying Round
Aug 27, 2020 at 7.45pm UK
Pittodrie Stadium

Aberdeen
6 - 0
NSI Runavik

Ferguson (37'), Main (43'), Hedges (50', 59', 87' pen.), Hayes (63')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Troest Davidsen (34'), Hojgaard (88')

Aberdeen skipper Joe Lewis: 'Reaching Europa League group stage has to be the aim'

Aberdeen skipper Joe Lewis: 'Reaching Europa League group stage has to be the aim'
© Reuters
The Dons have tried and failed six times to reach the group stages under Derek McInnes, not even making it as far as the play-offs.

Joe Lewis hopes this is the year Aberdeen year finally break their Europa League duck.

The Dons have tried and failed six times to reach the group stages under Derek McInnes, not even making it as far as the play-offs.

But with this year's qualifiers reduced to single ties, the Reds know they just have to negotiate three more matches to reach the promised land.

Skipper Lewis, whose side kicked-off their latest attempt with a 6-0 victory over Faroese minnows NSI Runavik, said: "Our aspirations have to be to qualify for the group stages. That's certainly our aim.

"We've got three more games to play to get that far. We don't know who they'll be against but you certainly have to be a bit fortunate in the draw.

"Maybe not fortunate – maybe it's about not being unfortunate in the draw.

"Home ties would certainly help. It's slightly less important with the supporters not being there but with the travel, you don't want to be going too far away.

"But we've had experience of playing in Europe over the last few seasons. We've not quite got there but this football club should certainly be looking to get to the group stages.

"It's something that a lot of players sign for this club for, to have the opportunity and experience of playing European football."

Lewis insists Aberdeen have never been better equipped in his four years in the Granite City than they are this term.

And the added competition they have will be vital if they are to stop a high-flying Hibernian side sitting top of the Premiership table on Sunday.

He said: "This is the best squad I've been involved with here in terms of depth. It's the best squad we've had since I've been here.

"Every club looks to improve its squad each season and it remains to be seen how other clubs have done.

"But certainly I'm confident enough in what we've got. We've got pace, we've got power, we've got exciting players.

"We're happy with what we've got in the changing room and we're certainly going into Sunday's game with confidence."

ID:411993: cacheID:411993:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3404:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes pictured in April 2019
Read Next:
Derek McInnes delighted with Aberdeen "intensity" in Europa League success
>
Read more about Joe Lewis Football
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
 
8pm
Quarter-Finals
Portugal
vs.
France
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!