Nomads fired up for historic first night in Europa league
gap Connah’s Quay make club history tonight as they embark upon their Europa League adventure with a first qualifying round match against Norwegian top flight outfit Stabæk Fotball.
It’s the first time in the Nomads 70 year history they have played a competitive match in Europe having missed out in the play-offs over the past few years.
Andy Morrison’s men earned the right to play in this season’s Europa League after a close fought play off victory over Deeside neighbours Airbus FC.
The match has been switched to Rhyl’s Belle Vue Stadium due to UEFA Stadium regulations, the return leg on July 7 has also been moved due to UEFA and will be played in the 12,560 capacity Fredrikstad Stadion, 75 miles away from Stabæk’s home at the Nadderud Stadio
It’ll be a battle of the Scots tonight, as Nomads boss Andy Morrison looks to outwit Stabæk’s manager former Blackburn, Leicester City and Scotland international Billy McKinlay.
McKinlay has been with the Norwegian side since November last year after a spell as assistant head coach with David Moyes Real Sociedad in Spain.
The Nomads can go into tonights match with nothing to fear, although Stabæk has a wealth of European experience and a squad which boasts international talent from the Ivory, Ghana, USA and India, they have had a poor start to the domestic season in Norway and find themselves in the bottom two of the Tippeligaen, the countries top professional division.
Ahead of the match, gap Connah’s Quay manager Andy Morrison said:
“Finally, the game is upon us, the club can’t wait for kick off and to experience our first taste of European football.
We have been full on now for three weeks with our preparation both on and off the pitch.
Being a part time club and out of season, our preparation could never be perfect but everyone connected with the club has done all they can to give ourselves the best possible chance.
Hopefully this is the first of many European adventures, and I’d like to thank everyone who has worked non-stop since the end of last season to make this game possible.”
Follow the action via twitter on the Nomads excellent twitter feed – kick off 7:15pm
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