Daily WHUFC News - Europa League Draw

Hammers learn Europa League opponents
WHUFC.com

Following this afternoon's draw for the UEFA Europa League third qualifying
round, West Ham United are pleased to update supporters on the historic
first fixture at London Stadium. In order to give Stadium owners E20 Stadium
LLP as much time as possible to prepare the arena for its first taste of
European football, the Club have today made official representation to
request that the fixture be reversed. If successful, Shakhtyor Soligorsk of
Belarus or NK Domžale of Slovenia will visit Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
for the return leg on Thursday 4 August. Owing to the date of the Europa
League fixture, the Club has had to agree to work to a capacity of 54,000
for the Hammers' first two fixtures at London Stadium. And, given the
proximity of the Anniversary Games to those opening two West Ham games,
Stadium owners E20 Stadium PLP are doing their utmost to prepare the venue
fully into football mode accordingly.

On behalf of its supporters, the Club went to great lengths in contractual
negotiations with E20 Stadium LLP to ensure that the Stadium would be fully
ready for the first two fixtures, in order to accommodate as many supporters
as possible and offer the best matchday experience.

This is a necessary step for the ramp up to the Stadium opening in full
football mode at its full 60,000 capacity for the eagerly-awaited opening
Premier League fixture against AFC Bournemouth on Sunday 21 August.
Crucially, capacity for both the Europa League fixture and the Betway Cup
will be sufficient to accommodate all requests from Season Ticket Holders.
Further details for the Europa League clash will be communicated on
whufc.com ahead of tickets going on sale on Tuesday 19 July.

The visit of AFC Bournemouth will also see the innovative, retractable
seating solution in its entirety for the first time, with bold West Ham
branding, showing off the Hammers' famous Claret and Blue, set for
installation in the coming weeks.

Vice-Chairman Karren Brady said: "We're delighted to be welcoming our
supporters to the opening of our magnificent new home against Italian
champions Juventus. "It's fantastic to be kicking off this exciting new era
for the Club with European football, in preparation for the all-important
first Premier League fixture against Bournemouth."

Third qualifying first leg ties will be played in week commencing Monday 25
July, with second leg matches being played in week commencing Monday 1
August. The Hammers will be competing in Europe for the eighth time in their
history, having previously won the European Cup Winners' Cup at the first
attempt in 1965 and reached the final of the same competition in 1976. West
Ham have won 24 of their 48 ties across the UEFA Cup/Europa League, Cup
Winners' Cup and Intertoto Cup, scoring 79 goals and conceding 57.

Shakhtyor Soligorsk

Shakhtyor Soligorsk were formed in 1961 and are managed by the club's former
striker Syarhey Nikifarenka. The 2005 Belarussian champions are based at
4,200-capacity Stroitel Stadium and finished third in the Premier League
last season. A successful side in recent years, Soligorsk have finished in
the top three in each of the last five seasons and won the Belarussian Cup
in 2014. They have qualified for Europe in each of the last six seasons.
Defeated NSI Runavik of the Faroe Islands 7-0 on aggregate in the first
qualifying round.

NK Domžale

NK Domžale were formed in 1921 and are based in town of Domzale in the
foothills of the Kamnik Alps in central Slovenia. The club finished third in
the Slovenian PrvaLiga last season, having won the title in 2007 and 2008,
and are based at the 2,813-capacity Sports Park. Domžale, who possess a
cosmopolitan squad including players from Slovenia, Spain, Bosnia, Brazil,
Azerbaijan, Serbia, France, Macedonia, Croatia and Argentina, defeated West
Ham's 2015 opponents Lusitanos of Andorra 5-2 on aggregate in the first
qualifying round.

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