Rangers v FK Shkupi (QR1) / FC Petrocub Hîncești or NK Osijek v Rangers or FK Shkupi (QR2)

rangeral

Well-Known Member
QR1:
Rangers v FK Shkupi
(Thursday, July 12 home – kick-off TBC)
(Tuesday, July 17 away – kick-off TBC)


https://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/gers-head-to-macedonia/

QR2:
FC Petrocub Hîncești or NK Osijek
v
Rangers or FK Shkupi
(July 26 & August 2 TBC)

Yes, quite a few years ago though. There's a photo up thread of the Alexander the Great statue and that square is where Bears will congregate. Just off the square there is a string of bars including the obligatory "Irish" bar. The city has more statues than any other city I've been to - they went crazy a few years ago building them to stick two fingers up at the Greeks who have a dispute over the name "Macedonia". Both the Greeks and Macedonians both claim Alexander the Great is theirs hence the massive statue which, by the way, has the biggest set of balls on a horse that you'll ever see!
Across the bridge from that square is what's known as the Albanian side of the river and while there are still bars there you'll find it is far more Albanian/muslim. There's a massive Christian/Orthodox cross on the hill overlooking Skopje to remind the Albanians who's really in charge of the country. The team we're playing are Albanian and are known to have a crazy element who will no doubt be looking for trouble. Interesting for a wander but don't go mad. Personally I'd stay with the majority of Bears around the main square. Beers and food will be about a third of the price in UK (check that bars are charging their normal rate and haven't hiked prices up - if they have then move on somewhere else after you've told them to ram it).

If we're playing at the national stadium (Philip II Arena) then it's a 20 minute walk from the main square. It'll be 35 to 40C when we're there. Drink plenty fluids. It should be a great trip both on and off the field :)

 
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Would go for Progres due to revenge from last year and it's the closest trip.
 
Draw is on Wednesday 20th June 20th June at 12 noon

QR1

Domžale (SVN)
Gabala (AZE)
Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO)
Rangers (SCO)
Apollon Limassol (CYP)

Progrès Niederkorn (LUX)
Široki Brijeg (BIH)
Shkupi (MKD)
Stumbras (LTU)
Dunajská Streda (SVK)

QR2 to follow

Can we get out of them 5 teams then? No chance of a Derry city or Cliftonville?
 
In many respects Progres would probably be the best draw. Not a lot of travelling and we'd know a bit about them already and already have accomodation in mind etc.
 
Dinamo Tbilisi and Apollen Limmasol are the ones to avoid for me they will be tricky ties
 
UEFA have updated the groupings with the ball numbers

we are ball 4

  • Each side in each seeding group is allocated a number. Balls containing the seeded teams' numbers are placed in one bowl, with balls for the unseeded teams' numbers (within the same sub-group of clubs) in another.
  • A ball is taken from each bowl and put into a large empty bowl in the middle, where they are shuffled.
  • The clubs whose numbers correspond to the first ball drawn play their first game at home, against the sides whose numbers match the next ball drawn.
  • Teams from the same association must not be drawn against each other.
 
UEFA have updated the groupings with the ball numbers

we are ball 4

  • Each side in each seeding group is allocated a number. Balls containing the seeded teams' numbers are placed in one bowl, with balls for the unseeded teams' numbers (within the same sub-group of clubs) in another.
  • A ball is taken from each bowl and put into a large empty bowl in the middle, where they are shuffled.
  • The clubs whose numbers correspond to the first ball drawn play their first game at home, against the sides whose numbers match the next ball drawn.
  • Teams from the same association must not be drawn against each other.
Thanks for that clear and concise.
 
We should be able to take care of any of those sides fairly comfortably, but then we said that last year. I'd rather avoid Siroki or Dunajska
 
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