If Paide beat Rapid Vienna, Benfica or Hearts await in UEFA Conference League
Estonian side Paide Linnameeskond could face Benfica or Hearts in the Conference League play-off round, provided they get past Rapid Vienna.
Estonian Meistriliiga club Paide Linnameeskond have learned who they could meet in the UEFA Conference League play-off round, should they advance from the third qualifying round. Monday's draw determined that Paide, if they progress, will next play either Portuguese heavyweights Benfica or Heart of Midlothian, the runners-up from last season's Scottish Premiership.
Benfica are among the most decorated clubs in Portugal, having won their domestic league 38 times. Hearts, meanwhile, finished second in the Scottish top flight last season.
To get there, however, the central Estonian team must first overcome another famous name: Rapid Vienna, champions of Austria on 32 occasions. The third qualifying round consists of two legs, with the first match for Paide scheduled at home this coming Thursday. Hearts and Benfica will also face each other this Thursday and the following Thursday.
Estonian champions Flora, in the meantime, have been drawn against Andorran champions Inter Club d'Escaldes in their third qualifying round of the same competition. If Flora win that two-legged tie, they will need to beat either San Marino's league leaders Tre Fiori or Kosovo's champions Drita to also reach the league phase.
All third-round matches are scheduled for Thursday, August 6, and Thursday, August 13. The play-off round ties are set for August 20 and 27. Paide will play their home first leg at Tallinn's A. Le Coq Arena.
The Conference League, founded in 2021, is the third tier of European club football.
