UEFA Draw: CSKA could face OFI Crete in Europa League

The draw, held at UEFA headquarters, determined the potential opponent for CSKA in the third qualifying round of the Europa League. If Hristo Yanev's team manages to progress against Maccabi Tel Aviv, they could face Greek side OFI Crete, the Greek Cup holders, in the next phase.

Match Schedule

According to the draw results, the first match for the 'Reds' potential opponent will be in Greece on August 20. The return leg is scheduled to take place a week later at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia.

OFI Crete Squad and Market Value

The Greek team, whose squad is valued at over 17 million euros according to Transfermarkt, has not yet started its national championship. In the club's previous run, they are set to play in the Greek Super Cup final against AEK Athens.

OFI Crete's most expensive players are winger Taschiarchis Fountas and Spanish attacking midfielder Aitor Cantalapiedra, each valued at 1.8 million euros. Other significant investments include Argentine Thiago Nuss (1.5 million euros) and center-back Dimitrios Nikolaou, on loan from the Italian side Palermo.

The Greek squad also includes former CSKA striker Aaron Leya Iseka, who has 16 appearances and one goal for the team. The team captain is goalkeeper Nikos Christogeorgos.

Historical Context

OFI Crete has experience playing against Bulgarian clubs. In the autumn of 1987, during the 1/16 finals of the European Cup Winners' Cup, the Greeks eliminated Levski (then known as 'Vitosha'). The Sofia-based team lost 0-1 in the first leg but won 3-1 in the return match in Crete.