Egypt discusses strengthening agricultural ties, investment opportunities with Indian delegation    Egypt targets 7.7% AI contribution to GDP by 2030: Communications Minister    Irrigation Minister highlights Egypt's water challenges, innovation efforts at DAAD centenary celebration    Al-Sisi welcomes Spain's monarch in historic first visit, with Gaza, regional peace in focus    Cairo governor briefs PM on Khan el-Khalili, Rameses Square development    El Gouna Film Festival's 8th edition to coincide with UN's 80th anniversary    Egypt's gold prices fall on Wednesday    Egypt expands medical, humanitarian support for Gaza patients    Egypt condemns Israeli offensive in Gaza City, warns of grave regional consequences    Cairo University, Roche Diagnostics inaugurate automated lab at Qasr El-Ainy    Egypt investigates disappearance of ancient bracelet from Egyptian Museum in Tahrir    Egypt launches international architecture academy with UNESCO, European partners    Egypt's President, Pakistan's PM condemn Israeli attack on Qatar    Egypt signs MoUs with 3 European universities to advance architecture, urban studies    Egypt's Sisi, Qatar's Emir condemn Israeli strikes, call for Gaza ceasefire    Egypt condemns terrorist attack in northwest Pakistan    Egyptian pound ends week lower against US dollar – CBE    Egypt hosts G20 meeting for 1st time outside member states    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt seeks Indian expertise to boost pharmaceutical industry    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







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Tough Champions League playoff draw adds to Malaga's woes
Reuters Published in Ahram Online on 10 - 08 - 2012

Troubled Malaga will have to beat Champions League regulars Panathinaikos if they are to reach the group stage for the first time following Friday's playoff round draw at UEFA headquarters, adding to the Spanish side's pre-season headaches.
Borussia Moenchengladbach, also hoping to qualify for the first time, have been paired with Ukraine's Dynamo Kiev, who have reached the semi-finals three times. The first legs take place on Aug 21/22 with the returns a week later. Italy's Udinese, beaten by Arsenal at the same stage last season, will face Braga of Portugal.
Defeat would leave Italy with only two teams in the group stage. Malaga finished fourth in La Liga last season but their outlook is uncertain after they announced "internal restructuring" amid reports that Qatari owner Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nassar Al-Thani wants to sell up after only two years.
In the last week, midfielder Santi Cazorla has joined Arsenal while Venezuela forward Salomon Rondon has moved to Russia's Rubin Kazan.
Their Greek opponents will be attempting to reach the group stage for the 10th time. In other ties, Spartak Moscow will face Fenerbahce, who were excluded from the competition last season over a Turkish match-fixing scandal, and Lille will meet FC Copenhagen.
Cypriot champions AEL Limassol, hoping to emulate compatriots APOEL Nicosia who reached the quarter-finals last season, must first beat Belgian champions Anderlecht. Celtic, the only former European champions among the teams in Friday's draw, were pitted against Swedish champions Helsingborg.
There is no English side in the playoffs because Chelsea won the Champions League last term and therefore go straight into the group stage despite having finished outside the Premier League's top four.
Draw: Basel (Switzerland) v CFR Cluj (Romania) Helsingborgs (Sweden) v Celtic (Scotland) BATE Borisov (Belarus) v Hapoel Kiryat Shmona (Israel) Limassol (Cyprus) v Anderlecht (Belgium) Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) v Maribor (Slovenia) Braga (Portugal) v Udinese (Italy) Spartak Moscow (Russia) v Fenerbahce (Turkey) Malaga (Spain) v Panathinaikos (Greece) Borussia Moenchengladbach (Germany) v Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine) Lille (France) v FC Copenhagen (Denmark).
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