France’s Lille handed Copenhagen mission

Lille will begin their Champions League challenge against Danish champions FC Copenhagen as the French club look to claim a place in the group stage.

Les Dogues finished an impressive third in Ligue 1 last season and victory over FC Copenhagen in their two-legged play-off would see them join French champions Montpellier and runners-up Paris St Germain in the next round.

Borussia M’gladbach face a tricky tie against Dynamo Kiev, who knocked out Feyenoord in the third qualifying round in midweek.

Malaga will be hoping to put their financial concerns aside when they meet another money-troubled side, Panathinaikos.

The Primera Liga club have previously said they are willing to listen to offers for any player because of severe economic troubles, and have already sold midfielder Santi Cazorla to Arsenal.

Scottish champions Celtic will face Swedish side Helsingborg in the play-off round.

Neil Lennon’s men booked their place in the draw with a 4-1 aggregate win over Finnish club HJK Helsinki.

Swedish legend Henrik Larsson played for both clubs and is certain to be the focus of attention in the build-up. The Swedish league is well under way and Helsingborg are in sixth position.

Celtic are looking to reach the group stages of European football’s elite club competition for the first time since 2008-09.

Italy’s Udinese will be out to avoid last year’s upset to Arsenal in the same round of the competition when playing Braga, of Portugal.

Udinese qualified for the second sucessive year in the play-off round after finishing third in Serie A last season.

The 10 play-off round winners will join 22 automatic qualifiers in the group stage, which runs from Sept. 18-19 to Dec. 4-5.

Champions Route

Afc Basel (Sui) Vs Cfr Cluj (Rom)
Helsingborg If (Swe) Vs Celtic (Sco
Bate Borisov (Blr) Vs Hapoel Shmona (Isr)
Ael Limassol (Cyp) Vs Anderlecht (Bel)
Dinamo Zagreb (Cro) Vs Maribor (Slo)

League Route

Braga (Por) Vs Udinese (Ita)
Spartak Moscow (Rus) Vs Fenerbahce (Tur)
Malaga (Esp) Vs Panathinaikos (Gre)
Borussia M’Gladbach (Ger) Vs Dynamo Kyiv (Ukr)
Lille (Fra) Vs Fc Copenhagen (Den)

First Legs: August 21-22. Second Legs: 28-29.