Beitar Jerusalem learned on Thursday that its opponent in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League will be Cypriot side AEK Larnaca. The Jerusalem club is set to begin another European campaign in a few weeks, and the draw spared it from several stronger possible opponents, including Ajax, Braga, FC Copenhagen, Panathinaikos and Istanbul Basaksehir.
AEK Larnaca is not considered an easy matchup. The squad includes Israeli defender Yevhen Gorefinkel, who is also wanted by several Israeli Premier League clubs, as well as Enric Saborit. Larnaca finished second in Cyprus last season and has had a strong Spanish influence in recent years, with many Spanish players and staff members.
Among the Spanish figures at the club is former Maccabi Tel Aviv man Juan Torijo, who has been appointed head of physical fitness. AEK is also a regular participant in European competitions and has reached both the group stage and the league phase several times.
The first leg in this tie is scheduled for July 23, with the return leg on July 30. The third qualifying round draw will take place on July 20, with matches on August 6 and 13. The playoff draw is set for August 3, followed by games on August 20 and 27. The league phase draw is on August 28, and the six matchdays will run from October 15 to December 17.
