Our goal is to go through

Hertha will face Athletic Bilbao (Spain), FC Zorya Luhansk (Ukraine) and Östersunds FK (Sweden) in Group J of the UEFA Europa League.

Berlin – Hertha BSC’s opponents in the group stage of the Europa League are now set in stone. The capital club will play Athletic Bilbao (Spain), FC Zorya Luhansk (Ukraine) and Östersunds FK (Sweden) in Group J. “We’re delighted that we get to go for a few nice trips. Perhaps our opponents could have been better, but they could’ve been worse too,” says Michael Preetz after Friday’s (25^th August) draw in Monaco. “We’ve waited years to get back onto the European stage and we hope that one or two more supporters will find their way to the Olympiastadion this time,” added the General Manager in an initial statement. Ex-footballer Eric Abidal pulled Hertha out of pot 2 as one of the 48 teams. Clashes against the other German competitors, 1. FC Köln and 1899 Hoffenheim, were not possible.

Satisfied with the draw

After an eight-year absence, the Blue and Whites’ anticipation for the upcoming adventure is as big as their confidence for it. “It’s a decent group. The trip to Ukraine will definitely be a bit strenuous but the other two trips are relatively short. We want to go through and I believe we can,” says Pál Dárdai. The team were following the draw just before their departure for their Bundesliga game in Dortmund and are fired up for challenge. “A few of the boys were hoping for other opponents but we’re happy overall. Bilbao is the highlight of the group and they’ll be our toughest opponents but we’ll prepare just as hard for the other opponents too.”

The first group fixture for Dárdai’s men is on 14^th September, then on 28^th September, 19^th October, 2^nd and 23^rd November and 7^th December. The top two from each of the 12 groups go through along with the third-placed teams from each of the eight Champions League groups and the draw will take place on 11^th December in Nyon, Switzerland.