Paphitis hopeful despite tough European draw
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Millwall's chairman, Theo Paphitis, was cautiously optimistic about his side's chances in their first major European adventure after drawing Ferencvaros in the Uefa Cup.
Millwall's chairman, Theo Paphitis, was cautiously optimistic about his side's chances in their first major European adventure after drawing Ferencvaros in the Uefa Cup.
The Lions qualified for the competition despite losing to Manchester United in last season's FA Cup final because of United's involvement in the Champions' League.
Player-manager Dennis Wise's side will now face home and away legs against the Hungarians in the first round of the tournament next month, with the glittering prize a place in the lucrative group stage.
Paphitis said: "It's a great draw, but they are probably the hardest unseeded team in our group. We are going to a great country to play a club with a good football pedigree. Whatever team we were drawn against would have made for a cracking game."
Middlesbrough were paired against the Czech champions, Banik Ostrava. They will have home advantage in the first leg in their first European tie.
The two Scottish sides taking part will both face Portuguese clubs. Rangers, who were hoping to take part in the Champions' League only to be knocked out in the qualifying round this week, were given the limited consolation of a tie against moderate opposition in Maritimo, of the holiday island Madeira. The first leg is at Ibrox. Hearts will play Braga in one of the Euro 2004 venues. Top seeds, the Italian side Lazio, were drawn against Metalurh Donetsk, of Ukraine.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments