SC Freiburg and Union Berlin have landed in feasible groups in the Europa League draw.
Since the final elimination matches yesterday, Thursday, the pot with the 32 participants for the Europa League group stage is complete. And the draw was already made the day after, after all, the first of six matchdays will already be played on September 8.
The two German representatives SC Freiburg and Union Berlin followed the ceremony in Istanbul with great interest, with Eintracht Frankfurt legend Karl-Heinz “Charly” Körbel taking part. After long minutes, it was clear: Sport-Club will face Olympiakos Piraeus (Greece), Qarabag Agdam (Azerbaijan) and FC Nantes from France in Group G.
Union landed in Group D with Sporting Braga from Portugal, Malmö FF (Sweden) and the Belgian runners-up Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Solvable tasks, then, for the Bundesliga clubs, who will avoid the really big names in the group stage.
Reactions from Freiburg and Berlin
“It’s not impossible to progress in the group,” said Freiburg captain Christian Günter: “Piraeus has a brutal stadium, a brutal atmosphere. They have always been champions in the last few years. With Qarabag, we might have wished for a different opponent. It’s one of the longest journeys you can have.”
Union captain Christopher Trimmel, on the other hand, can’t complain: “For me it’s a good group because the destinations Belgium, Portugal and Sweden are very nice.” Union’s managing director of professional football Oliver Ruhnert commented on the draw: “Group D is very interesting and varied at first glance, but it is definitely also a tough group. Nevertheless, there is a chance for us to spend the winter in the Europa League. “
Not a real “hammer group “
Meanwhile, there is no real “Hammer Group”. Arsenal will face PSV Eindhoven, Bodö/Glimt and FC Zurich, coached by Franco Foda, in Group A. Roma face Rasgrad, Betis and HJK Helsinki in Group C. Manchester United have been drawn with San Sebastian, Sheriff Tiraspol and Omonia Nicosia in Group E. AS Monaco, led by Kevin Volland and Alexander Nübel, are in Group H with Red Star Belgrade, Ferencvaros and Trabzonspor.
The first group matchday will take place on 8 September, the last on 3 November. The knockout rounds will continue from February. The final is scheduled for 31 May 2023 in Budapest.