Uefa Champions League second qualifying round first leg: Shamrock Rovers v Sparta Prague (Tuesday, 8pm, live on LOI TV)
Shamrock Rovers will host Sparta Prague on Tuesday evening in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, with the possibility of facing Romanian or Israeli opposition in the next round should they progress.
The back-to-back Czech champions will meet the Dublin side at Tallaght Stadium in their first Champions League outing this season.
Stephen Bradley’s men confirmed their progress in the Champions League last week after a gruelling 2-1 aggregate victory over Icelandic side, Víkingur Reykjavík.
During the second leg home fixture, Johnny Kenny netted a first half brace to give the Rovers a two goal advantage into the next half.
The Rovers narrowly escaped a remarkable comeback after conceding in the 60th minute to Nikolaj Hansen and Rover’s Jack Byrne being sent off in the 74th.
Their dismay was subsided after Vikingur’s Hansen failed to capitalise on a brace opportunity, missing a penalty deep into stoppage time, allowing Bradley’s squad to avoid extra time and advance to the second round.
Following Shamrock Rovers progression in Europe after a thrilling contest in Tallaght, Stephen Bradley called the occasion “a special, special night”.
Monday’s UEFA Champions League third qualifying round draw revealed Rovers’ potential opponents on August 6 if they manage to get past Sparta Prague.
Bradley’s squad will eagerly anticipate the results of the fixtures involving Romania’s FCSB (formerly known as Steaua Bucharest) and Maccabi Tel Aviv, who were managed by Republic of Ireland record goalscorer Robbie Keane before he stepped down in June, as the winner will progress to face the victor of the Rovers’ tie against the Czech champions.
The Champions League full third qualifying round draw
Champions Path
Lincoln Red Imps (GIB) or Qarabağ (AZE) vs Ludogorets 1945 (BUL) or Dinamo Minsk (BLR)
Celje (SVN) or Slovan Bratislava (SVK) vs APOEL (CYP) or Petrocub (MDA)
Shamrock Rovers FC (IRL) or Sparta Praha (CZE) vs FCSB (ROU) or Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR)
Malmö (SWE) or Klaksvík (FRO) vs PAOK (GRE) or Borac Banja Luka (BIH)
Santa Coloma (AND) or Midtjylland (DEN) vs Ferencvárosi (HUN) or The New Saints (WAL)
Panevėžys (LTU) or Jagiellonia Białystok (POL) vs Bodø/Glimt (NOR) or RFS (LVA)
League Path
Slavia Praha (CZE) vs R. Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL)
Lille (FRA) vs Lugano (SUI) or Fenerbahçe (TUR)
Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) or Partizan (SRB) vs Rangers FC (SCO)
Salzburg (AUT) vs Twente (NED)