With a genuine chance of success in this competition, how seriously will Tottenham Hotspur be treating their European adventure? Can Stoke City adapt to the style and pace of European football and could they be this year’s surprise package? What chance, if any, do Fulham have of repeating their incredible UEFA Europa League heroics of two seasons ago? And will the rigours of Npower Championship football and with it a promotion push prove to be too much for Birmingham City?
UEFA Europa League: Group A
• PAOK Salonika; FC Rubin Kazan; Shamrock Rovers; TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
PAOK Salonika
The two time Greek Champions may be a regular fixture in this competition but they’ve only made it out of the Group Stages on the one occasion. Kostas Chalkias provides much needed experience in goal whilst upfront Greek international Dimitrios Salpigidis will hope to maintain his good form in the competition.
One To Watch: Dimitrios Salpigidis
FC Rubin Kazan
Under manager Kurban Berdyev the Russian outfit have become formidable opponents. They have UEFA Champions League experience and a wealth of talent in the squad. They are excellent going forward with attacking minded players such as Alan Kazaev and Gökdeniz Karadeniz feeding balls through to the experienced Paraguayan striker Nelson Valdez.
One To Watch: Nelson Valdez
Shamrock Rovers
Irish football’s most successful club are already one of the big stories of this competition. Michael O’Neill’s semi-professional team caused a huge upset by beating FK Partizan in the Final Qualifying Round. Transfer Window Deadline Day signing Rohan Ricketts will be looking to inflict a giant killing against former club Tottenham Hotspur.
One To Watch: Gary Twigg
Tottenham Hotspur
Despite a proud history in this competition, Spurs focus has, in recent years, switched to chasing a place in the UEFA Champions League. The omission of Rafael van der Vaart from the 25-man squad is a surprise but it’ll give exciting youngsters Jake Livermore, Andros Townsend and Danny Rose a chance to impress.
One To Watch: Jake Livermore
UEFA Europa League: Group E
• BeÅŸiktaÅŸ; FC Dynamo Kyiv; Maccabi Tel Aviv FC; STOKE CITY
BeÅŸiktaÅŸ
One of the big clubs in Turkish football alongside the likes of Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, Kara Kartallar are dangerous opponents. Head coach Carlos Carvalhal hasn’t lost in eight European home games and the Portuguese contingent at the club including midfielder Ricardo Quaresma and striker Hugo Almeida will cause problems for most defences.
One To Watch: Ricardo Quaresma
FC Dynamo Kyiv
A club with a proud European football tradition, Kyiv know what this competition is about. Coach Yuri Semin guided the club to the UEFA Cup semi-finals in 2009. There is an excellent mix of youth and experience throughout the team with striker Andriy Shevchenko impressing since his return to the Ukraine.
One To Watch: Andriy Yarmolenko
Maccabi Tel Aviv FC
The Israeli club make their debut in the Group Stages having defeated Greek giants Panathinaikos in the Final Qualifying Round. Bloomfield Stadium is an intimidating place to travel to with the home fans generating a terrific atmosphere. Also keep an eye out for the versatile Croatia U-21 defender Roberto PunÄec.
One To Watch: Roberto Colautti
Stoke City
37 years after their last European adventure, The Potters return to the competition following their runners-up finish in last season’s FA Cup Final. Tony Pulis’s men have already demonstrated themselves to be resolute in defence this season with centre-back Matthew Upson outstanding, and a threat upfront with Kenwyne Jones and Peter Crouch.
One To Watch: Matthew Etherington
UEFA Europa League: Group H
• BIRMINGHAM CITY; Sporting Clube de Braga; Club Brugge; NK Maribor
Birmingham City
Chris Hughton’s outfit may be playing Npower Championship football however their victory in last season’s Carling Cup Final and against Nacional in the Final Qualifying Round means more European football at St Andrews. Liam Ridgewell is vital in defence whilst New Zealand striker Chris Wood will hope to continue his excellent form.
One To Watch: Chris Wood
Sporting Clube de Braga
Last season’s finalists and runners-up to winners FC Porto, Os Arsenalistas are once again genuine challengers for the title however they will have to do so without coach Domingos Paciência – now manager of Sporting Clube de Lisboa. Custódio is very solid in the defensive midfield role whilst Alan is a threat upfront.
One To Watch: Custódio
Club Brugge
The only Belgian club to have played in the final of the now UEFA Champions League, Blauw-Zwart currently sit in mid-table in the Belgian Pro League. Former Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion defender and Captain Carl Hoefkens is steady at the back whilst Jonathan Blondel will be familiar to Spurs fans.
One To Watch: Carl Hoefkens
NK Maribor
Conquerors of Rangers in the Final Qualifying Round, Vijolice are the first Slovenian team to appear in the Group Stages. They have competed in the UEFA Champions League however made little impact in the competition. Captain Marcos Tavares and Macedonian midfielder Agim Ibraimi will be key to the team’s success.
One To Watch: Marcos Tavares
UEFA Europa League: Group K
• FC Twente; FULHAM; Odense BK: WisÅ‚a Kraków
FC Twente
Known in this part of the world for their appointment of ex-England manager Steve McClaren, the Dutch side have, in recent years, become a recognised force in the Eredivisie – winning the title in 2010 under McClaren. Goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov is suspect in goal however Austrian striker Marc Janko is a genuine threat.
One To Watch: Marc Janko
Fulham
The Cottagers had a memorable run in this competition, reaching the final in 2009. Marin Jol’s side have started this season poorly, with blame being put on the decision to split the successful central defensive partnership of Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland. Moussa Dembélé and Damien Duff will provide the main attacking threats.
One To Watch: Moussa Dembélé
Odense BK
De Stribede are in constant competition in the Danish Superliga with FC Copenhagen, Brøndby and FC Midtjylland. The club famously reached the Quarter-Final stage in 1995 overcoming Real Madrid in the Play-Offs but have not reached the later stages of the competition since. Keep an eye out for their exciting young attacker Baskhim Kadrii.
One To Watch: Bashkim Kadrii
WisÅ‚a Kraków
Having lost only one of their last ten European home games, the current Ekstraklasa champions are in good form going into the competition. The team has a strong spine with Kew Jaliens solidity in defence; ex-Polish internationals RadosÅ‚aw Sobolewski and Åukasz GarguÅ‚a marshaling the midfield and Ivica Iliev leading the front line.
One To Watch: Patryk Małecki
Twitter: @aleksklosok
