THE summer may have only just arrived but the football season is set to kick off once again next week when the first qualifying round of the inaugural Europa League takes place.
Lisburn Distillery face a journey into the unknown after they were drawn against Georgian side FC Zestafoni.
The Whites will play the first tie on Thursday (July 2) at Mourneview Park, Lurgan, before making the return journey to Georgia on July
9.
Full timers Zestafoni finished fourth in their Umaglesi Liga, and Whites' manager Jimmy Brown admits that it will be a tough test for his side.
Whites' boss Jimmy Brown.
"It's a hard draw," said Brown. "We know nothing about the side but we will do our homework. I have already had phone calls from people telling me that they are a big, strong side and that their guys are very tall, so that's a start. But it is like anything in Europe, you go to everyone and you don't know who you are playing against; but we will do our best."
Distillery helped to prepare for the encounter with a recent friendly against Dundalk, which gave them an idea of what to expect in Europe next week.
"Zestafoni are something similar to Dundalk, they are both full time," said Brown, "We will have to work hard."
Brown admitted that he is enjoying his time at New Grosvenor, stating that he is "loving it" and he will be hoping to lead his team to glory in next week's crunch battle in Lurgan.
Elsewhere in Monday's draw, Linfield were paired against Danish side Randers, with the Blues taking on the Danes away next Thursday before the return leg the following week, again at Mourneview Park.
