Finns in Europe - the Europa League draw

Qualifying for Europe from a summer league has pros and cons - you're fresher than some other rivals, especially in the earliest qualifying rounds. But in the event of mass turnover of players, it's a reward for a league finish of over six months ago where several of the stars may have moved on.

 Cutbacks meant that the trophy was used to hold the paperwork

That is the case this year - with the draw for the first and second qualifying rounds taking place on June 25th, with the games starting in July. Three teams from Veikkausliiga will be in the hat for the first round (KuPS and MYPA seeded, JJK unseeded), to be joined by Inter Turku in round two.

As is now customary, even teams in the early stages have some good recent European pedigree, first round participants include Twente, Lech Poznan and Rosenborg. Big teams are also found in round two in the shape of Champions League quarter-finalists APOEL and former European champions Red Star Belgrade.

Will the Finns make inroads? The random draw could be kind, but it's hard to see them getting too far. KuPS are struggling domestically, and only qualified as cup runners-up to HJK. JJK got tonked 1-5 at home to KuPS this week, while MYPA sneaked in via the fair play award.

 KuPS in Europa League action

Whatever happens, the co-efficient will need to improve, and eyes will be on the champions to get through in the Champions League. The complicated UEFA mathematics show Finland not far behind Bosnia-Herzegovina in the rankings, but a huge gap then to the next level. A consistent run to the group stages will be required to get any long-term benefits.

Whatever happens, Escape To Suomi will bring you the highlights of the draw, along with permutations and, if things go smoothly for the Finns, the prospect of playing some of Europe's biggest clubs such as Inter and Liverpool!