Ajax, St Etienne, Alkmaar to face Greek opposition

Olympiakos had a smooth draw for the third qualifying round of the Champions League, facing Moldovan or Israeli opposition, but PAOK will face Ajax in the same competition and the three Greek representatives in the Europa League will have major challenges ahead of them.

The Reds will face the winner of the second qualifying round tie between Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova and Hapoel Beer-Sheva of Israel, with the first leg in Piraeus on July 26 or 27. The return leg is on August 2 or 3.

On the same dates PAOK will face Ajax, with the first match in Amsterdam.

In the Europa League’s third qualifying round, Greek Cup winner AEK will face record 10-time French champion Saint Etienne, Panathinaikos will play the winner of the tie between AIK Solna of Sweden and Europa of Gibraltar, and if PAS Giannina overcomes Odd Grenland of Norway in the second qualifying round – having taken a 3-0 lead from the first leg – it will face Alkmaar of the Netherlands.

All three Greek teams in the Europa League will host the return leg in Greece. Ties will be played on July 28 and August 4.