AGF learns potential Champions League playoff opponents: Israel or Serbia await

Danish champions AGF are one step away from a potential Champions League playoff tie, with their potential opponents now revealed following UEFA's draw. Should AGF successfully navigate their third qualifying round against Sabah FK of Azerbaijan, they will face the winner of the match between Israel's Hapoel Beer-Sheva and Serbia's Red Star Belgrade.

The draw, conducted in Nyon, Switzerland, saw AGF avoid some of the traditionally tougher potential playoff adversaries, such as Scotland's Celtic and Greece's AEK Athens. The first leg of AGF's crucial tie against Sabah FK is scheduled for Wednesday, with AGF playing at home.

Regardless of the outcome in the Champions League qualifiers, AGF is assured of at least a place in the Europa League group stage. If they are eliminated from the Champions League qualification path, they will drop into the Europa League playoffs. Their potential opponents in that scenario include winners from ties involving Benfica, Hearts, Maccabi Tel Aviv, CSKA Sofia, Lech Poznan, KI Klaksvik, Hradec Kralove, and Besiktas.

This draw sets the stage for a potentially challenging but rewarding path for AGF as they aim to secure European competition for the upcoming season. The club has prior experience with Lech Poznan, having been eliminated by the Polish side in a previous Champions League qualifier after a dramatic comeback that ultimately went to penalties.