Champions League Qualification Draw Released By UEFA [See List]

Draw for the first two qualifying rounds of the 2017/18 UEFA Champions League, has been released.

The draw was conducted in Nyon, Switzerland, on Monday.

The draw will see two teams play two-legged matches which will qualify winner of both legs for the competition’s group stage.

Here is the draw for the first qualifying round…

Vikingur (FRO) v Trepca 89 (KOS)

Hibernians (MLT) v FCI Tallinn (EST)

Alashkert (ARM) v FC Santa Coloma (AND)

The New Saints (WAL) v Europa (GIB)

Linfield (NIR) v La Fiorita (SMR)

– First legs to be played June 27/28, second legs July 4/5

Second qualifying round…

APOEL (CYP) v Dudelange (LUX)

Zalgiris (LTU) v Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL)

Qarabag (AZE) v Samtredia (GEO)

Partizan Belgrade (SRB) v Buducnost Podgorica (MNE)

Hibernians (MLT) or FCI Tallinn (EST) v Salzburg (AUT)

Sheriff (MDA) v Kukes (ALB)

Astana (KAZ) v Spartaks Jurmala (LAT)

BATE Borisov (BLR) v Alashkert (ARM) or FC Santa Coloma (AND)

Zilina (SVK) v FC Copenhagen (DEN)

Hapoel Beer-Sheva (ISR) v Budapest Honved (HUN)

Rijeka (CRO) v The New Saints (WAL) or Europa (GIB)

Malmo (SWE) v Vardar (MKD)

Zrinjski (BIH) v Maribor (SVN)

Dundalk (IRL) v Rosenborg (NOR)

FH Hafnarfjordur (ISL) v Víkingur (FRO) or Trepca 89 (KOS)

Linfield (NIR) or La Fiorita (SMR) v Celtic (SCO)

IFK Mariehamn (FIN) v Legia Warsaw (POL)

– First legs to be played July 11/12, second legs July 18/19

By John Owen Nwachukwu

Wike Organizes Party, Cuts Cake To Celebrate Madrid’s Victory

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday night threw a big party to celebrate Real Madrid winning this year’s Champions League title.

Also present at the bash were Former Attorney General, Hon Frank Ohwor, Former Acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus and PDP Chieftain; Prince Emma Anyanwu.

Speaking at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Wike revealed that a Real Madrid Football Academy will be established in the state to groom international soccer talents.

He added that he has opened discussions with the club management to actualize this goal.

On the 2017 Champions League final in Cardiff, the Governor said though most people did not give the La 

 Liga giants a chance, Zinedine Zidane’s team showed resilience and character to retain their trophy.

By Ifreke Inyang

Barcelona Congratulates Real Madrid For Winning The Champions League

Barcelona has congratulated rivals Real Madrid, for successfully retaining their UEFA Champions League trophy.

No team has been able to win the title back to back since the new format was introduced in 1992, but Zinedine Zidane’s men beat Juventus 4-1 in Cardiff to break the jinx.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, matching Lionel Messi’s record of five wins. He also took his career goal record to 600 and his Champions League goals to 105.

Barcelona who lost the La Liga crown to Madrid, wrote on their official Twitter handle: “Congratulations @realmadrid for winning the trophy in Cardiff.”

Madrid will play Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup, before going head-to-head with Barca in the two-legged Supercopa in August.

By Ifreke Inyang

JUST IN: Ronaldo Scores 2 As Madrid Humble Juve 4- 1 To Be Crowned Champions Of Europe

Real Madrid Have broken the record by winning the champions League for the second straight season.

It was Ronaldo who first open the scoring with a deflection. The lead didn't last long as Mandzukic Scored a beautiful scissors kick to bring the game back level.

Second half goals from Casemerio and Ronaldo was enough to give Madrid a comfortable lead before Courdrado was sent off in a controversial manner.

Asensio Put the icing on the cake by adding a 90 Minute Goal after Marcelo did all the work and assist.

By Blog10TV staff

Champions League: Zidane To Start Isco Ahead Of Bale

Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, is set to start Isco ahead of Gareth Bale, in today’s Champions League final against Juventus. 

Sentimentalists have been calling for Bale to replace Isco in Madrid’s starting 11 as the game will played in his hometown of Cardiff, but Spanish football expert, Sid Lowe, has said the Welshman might at best start from the bench.

Lowe wrote in his column for the UK Guardian: “Then there’s Gareth Bale in Cardiff, forced to take pills to get him through training and matches as he fights to make it. Because he probably won’t, there’s Isco, centre-stage at last.”

Madrid are seeking to lift their third Champions League trophy in four years and also become the first club in the modern era, to win it back to back.

Real Madrid predicted XI: Keylor Navas, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Isco, Ronaldo, Benzema.

By Ifreke Inyang

Real Madrid vs Juventus: Ten Points To Note

This year’s Champions League final, will be contested between two European powerhouses.

Here are 10 things you need to know about the game:

1. Juventus and Real Madrid will contest this year’s final at the National Staidum of Wales in Cardiff. The match kicks off 7.45pm (Nigerian time) on Saturday.

2. Madrid are aiming to become first team to retain UEFA Champions League trophy in the modern era.

3. If the La Liga side beat Juventus, it would be their third title in four years.

4. Juventus are aiming for their third European title. It will be their first since 1996.

5. However, the Serie A champions have lost their last four UEFA Champions League finals. The last was two years ago – a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona.

6. Zinedine Zidane’s team is seeking to complete a Double, after they won the Spanish league ahead of Barcelona.

7. Massimiliano Allegri’s men want to complete the Treble. They have already won the Italian league and Coppa Italia.

8. Real Madrid predicted XI: Keylor Navas, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Isco, Ronaldo, Benzema.

9. Juventus predicted XI: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alves, Alex Sandro, Pjanic, Khedira, Mandzukic, Dybala, Higuain.

10. A record 170,000 fans are expected in Cardiff for the match.

By Ifreke Inyang