The four British teams entering the competition at this stage were handed tough ties when the draw was made in a live draw by UEFA in Nyon, Switzerland, earlier today.
Chelsea lost to eventual runners-up (and two-time UWCL Champions) Wolfsurg over two legs in last season’s competition (at the Rd of 16 stage) but the games were tight enough to suggest that they might spring a surprise in the big rematch, this time around.
Glasgow City, on course for their tenth SWPL title, were drawn with the Damallsvenskan’s second placed team last term (and competition newcomers) Eskilstuna United.
Commenting, City Head Coach Scott Booth said, “The Champions League is special. The whole club were excited about the draw. Eskilstuna United are a top side in Sweden which means it is a tough tie. However, there aren’t any easy games in this competition and we are 100% ready for the challenge.”
City will play the away leg first, with the return tie on Thursday 13th October, 7.45pm at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie. Tickets are priced only £5 U16’s and £10 adults and can be purchased online at www.glasgowcityfc.co.uk/shop.
Meanwhile Scotland’s other UWCL team Hibs, face the rather daunting but mouthwatering prospect of hosting Frauen Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich before heading to Germany for the return leg.
English debutants Manchester City have been perhaps the most fortunate in terms of the standard of opponent, though the least straightforward in terms of travel, drawing Russian side and 2009’s losing finalists WFC Zvezda-2005.
Home legs (team listed first) will be played on 5/6th of Oct and the away legs on 12th/13th of October with the Rd of 16 draw made on the 17th.
The draw in full:
1. SK Sturm Graz Damen (AUT) FC Zürich Frauen (SUI)
2. Breidablik (ISL) FC Rosengård (SWE)
3. LSK Kvinner FK (NOR) Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
4. Avaldsnes Idrettslag (NOR) Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
5. Eskilstuna United DFF (SWE) Glasgow City FC (SCO)
6. SFK 2000 Sarajevo (BIH) FC Rossiyanka (RUS)
7. Chelsea Ladies FC (ENG) VfL Wolfsburg (GER)
8. FC Twente (NED) AC Sparta Praha (CZE)
9. Apollon Ladies FC (CYP) SK Slavia Praha (CZE)
10. Athletic Club (ESP) Fortuna Hjørring (DEN)
11. FC Minsk (BLR) FC Barcelona (ESP)
12. KKPK Medyk Konin (POL) Brescia Femminile (ITA)
13. Manchester City Women’s FC (ENG) WFC Zvezda-2005 (RUS)
14. WFC BIIK-Kazygurt (KAZ) ASD Verona (ITA)
15. Hibernian Ladies FC (SCO) FC Bayern München (GER)
16. SKN St. Pölten Frauen (AUT) Brøndby IF (DEN)
She Kicks – the online news service for women’s football
