For the first time in seven years, the Welsh Premier League will have a South Wales representative in Europe.
Not since Port Talbot has there been a team from the South Wales region to represent the Welsh Premier League.
But this season both Barry Town United and Cardiff Metropolitan qualified for Europe and will proudly make their way onto the European stage.
So let’s guide you through the possible destinations for the South Wales clubs his summer.
Can Barry and Met play each other?
Due it being a European competition, teams from the same association cannot be drawn against each other.
So who can Barry and Met play then?
S.P. La Fiorita of San Marino are one of the teams that either side could face.
They were in the Champions League preliminary rounds last season. They lost to the Lincoln Red Imps. They dropped out of the UEFA Europa League to lose 9-0 won aggregate to Latvian side FK Spartaks Jūrmala.
Their only ever positive result in Europe was a 0-0 draw with Linfield in 2017.
FC Progrès Niederkorn are a team that both sides will want to avoid.
Finishing fourth in their division, they’re the club that no unseeded team will want to play against.
After 33-years away from European football, the Luxembourg side stunned then Pedro Caixinha’s Rangers, knocking them out 2-1 on aggregate after a 2-0 home victory.
Last season they reached the same stage as The New Saints, narrowly missing out on a place in the play-off round, losing 4-3 to Russian side Ufa, after defeating Gabala FK and Budapest Honvéd.
Neither Barry nor Met could have to travel far if they’re drawn against Northern Irish side Cliftonville.
Irish side Cliftonville are a British option for the Archers and Linnets. You’ll have to go back to 2011 when Cliftonville faced a Welsh side in Europe. The New Saints knocked them out of the Europa League after beating them 2-1.
Another familiar face is Gibraltarian side Europa. They defeated Gibraltar United in the Rock Cup.
But they’re known to Welsh football for providing a tough test for The New Saints in 2017. They came away from Park Hall with a 2-1 victory in their Champions League debut but lost the return leg in extra-time to Scott Ruscoe’s men.
Familiar to Europa for sure are Prishtina, relative newcomers to European competitions. The Kosovan side finished runers-up in the Superleague of Kosovo and have qualified for Europe for the third consecutive time.
Prishtina beat Europa 6-1 on aggregate last season, including a 5-0 thumping at home. They went out on penalties in the next round to Fola Esch.
And to round off the possible opponents. There is a possibility that both Welsh club could be off to the Faroe Islands. Both Klaksvíkar Ítróttarfelag and NSÍ Runavík are in the draw. Klaksvíkar were victorious in the preliminary rounds last year, beating Maltese side Birkirkara, but were knocked out by Žalgiris.
Neither side have played Welsh opposition, but NSÍ Runavík played Scottish side Hibernian last year. There were raining goals in both legs, with Runavík losing 12-5 on aggregate They’ve also played Fulham and Linfield.
Why are Barry and Met unseeded?
Both Barry and Met’s UEFA club coefficient is relatively low, having not competed in Europe for some time. Last year Bala Town were seeded, but failed to overcome Sammarinese minnows The Fiori.
Being unseeded does make the task harder as it means they’ll be coming up against sides who have played in Europe in recent years.
When is the draw?
In 16 days time, the preliminary round draw will take place in Nyon.
For the first time since 2003/2004, Barry will be drawn out of a European pot.
Should Cardiff Met’s former guise of UWIC Inter Cardiff be counted, then they last competed in Europe in 1999, when they lost 3-0 to Slovenian side ND Gorica.
When are the games?
The first leg is scheduled to take place on the 27th June and the second leg is to take place a week later on the 4th July.
Both clubs will be hoping that the other club will be able to alternate fixtures so crowds can be maximised.
What about the Connah’s Quay Nomads?
Andy Morrison’s men have received a bye after both Arsenal and Chelsea reached the final of the Europa League. This gave the Nomads a bye. Not everything has been decided for the Nomads with still a number of leagues needing a conclusion and a number of Cup finals.
The Nomads do know they’re unseeded and could possibly play Steven Gerrard’s Rangers, as well as Cork City, Molde and Steaua București.
(Featured Image: Rhys Skinner)
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