New adventure for Sibir and Jagiellonia

The presence of former European champions Liverpool FC and Juventus reflects the strength of the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round, but its unique appeal lies in the breadth of sides involved, with two new names to continental competition taking the field: FC Sibir Novosibirsk and Jagiellonia Białystok.

A 1-0 loss to FC Zenit St. Petersburg in this year's Russian Cup final earned Sibir their European debut, given Zenit were already sure of a UEFA Champions League berth. From deep inside Siberia, the 'Orly' (Eagles) are the most easterly club to take part in UEFA competition, and host Apollon Limassol FC of Cyprus in their first game on Thursday.

The team's Belarusian coach Igor Kriushenko is excited. "We are already used to the Russian league, but Europe is something special," he said. "Here we have knockout matches where your results count straight away, so the motivation is much higher. The players face new emotions here. Only one or two have European experience."

Sibir's fellow newcomers Jagiellonia also kick off their European career at home, against Greece's Aris Thessaloniki FC, now led by former Valencia CF and FC Internazionale Milano coach Héctor Cúper. Beaten finalists in 1989, Jagiellonia claimed their first Polish Cup this year to set up their big adventure.

The club's 37-year-old boss Michał Probierz told UEFA.com: "Of course we are a small club among giants, but that gives us a lot of motivation. My team are well prepared and eager to surprise. Aris seem to be the stronger side but we will not lie down and wait for them to hurt us. We will give them as much trouble as we can.

"I am a young coach," added Probierz, who represented Poland at Under-16 and U21 levels as a midfielder. "I have only been coaching professionally for five years and I will be up against a very experienced coach, Héctor Cúper. However, I won't say this is the biggest challenge of my life. I think that bigger games lie ahead."

FC Viktoria Plzeň, meanwhile, are no novices yet as they gear up to face Beşiktaş JK, they will hope their only previous European tie was an aberration. The Czech outfit drew FC Bayern München in the first round of the 1971/72 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and lost 7-1 on aggregate. Better luck next time.