Under-19’s European adventure starts in Dublin
PAOK FC Under-19’s are gearing up for their UEFA Youth League campaign with memories from last season’s campaign still fresh in the memory. From the pulsating atmospheres generated at the Toumba to that match against Tottenham Hotspur in the Round of 16, there were some incredible moments. Now it’s time to create more.
Special moments and life-defining experiences await the Under-19 players, who embark on their first European match of the season in Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday, October 2 (21.30), where they will face Bohemians FC at Dalymount Park. The return leg in Thessaloniki will take place on October 23 (19.30).
Garcia and Sznaucner’s charges traveled to Athens for the Super League match against AEK at the weekend, stayed overnight in the capital, and they have been in Dublin since Monday.
The squad for the match includes the following players: Balomenos, Talichmanidis, Giaxis, Gorteziani, Grosdis, Kaloutsikidis, Koulierakis, Koutsias, Panagiotou, Panidis, Pipiliaris, Pournaras, Tachatos, Tsiggaras, Tsopouroglou, Tziolis, Doumtsis, Gaitanidis
The UEFA Youth League format
The UEFA Youth League essentially kicked off in the 2015-16 season, with the tournament expanding from 32 to 64 teams. In its current form, the youth teams (Under-19) of the clubs competing in the Champions League group stage, plus the domestic youth champions of the top-ranked European leagues.
The teams where the senior side are competing in the Champions League play in the same group stage format, with the winners qualifying for the Round of 16 and the runners-up going into the Playoffs.
The 32 domestic youth champions compete in two rounds of two-legged matches, with the eight winners qualifying for the Playoffs, where they play a one-match home opener against the Champions League runner-up. From the Round of 16 onward, one-legged matches are played.
