Latest news with #SKBrann
The Herald Scotland
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Rangers discover Champions League qualifying opponents
Rangers were a seeded team in this morning's draw in Nyon, Switzerland, where they were paired against the Greek side. As they were first out of the hat for their tie, Rangers are set to be the home team and play the first leg at Ibrox before heading to Greece for the return fixture. The matches will be played on July 22/23 and 29/30. Read more: Champions League second qualifying round draw revealed Rangers vs Panathinaikos SK Brann vs FC Salzburg Vikotria Plzen vs Servette What happens if Rangers win/lose in Champions League qualifying? Champions League second qualifying round: Win = progress to third qualifying round, Loss = drop into Europa League third qualifying round Champions League third qualifying round: Win = progress to play-off round, Loss = drop into Europa League league phase Champions League play-off round: Win = Champions League league phase, Loss = drop into Europa League league phase Europa League third qualifying round: Win = progress to play-off round, Loss = drop into Conference League play-off round Europa League play-off round: Win = Europa League league phase, Loss = Conference League league phase Conference League play-off round: Win = Conference League league phase, Loss = Out of Europe
STV News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- STV News
Rangers learn Champions League qualifier opponents in UEFA draw
Rangers will have to get past Panathinaikos to keep their dream of reaching the Champions League alive. The draw for the second qualifying round took place on Wednesday, with Russell Martin's side matched up with the Greek club. The first game will be at home, with the second leg in Athens. If Rangers win the two-legged tie then they will move up to the third qualifying round, and if they lose they will drop into the same stage of the Europa League. They went into the draw knowing they would play one of three teams. SK Brann and Servette were the two avoided at this stage. That journey towards the Champions League, league phase, will begin in late July, with the second qualifying round giving new head coach Martin his first taste of competitive football The first leg is scheduled for July 22 or 23, and the decisive return match will be on July 29 or 30. Last season's second-place finish in the Premiership gave Rangers a chance to reach the riches and glamour of the continent's top tournament, but the team will have to navigate three rounds of qualifying to reach the elite stage. If they get through the second and third qualifying rounds, they will then reach the play-off stage, where they will be one two-legged tie away from reaching the Champions League proper for the first time since 2022. However, league phase football is not yet guaranteed for the Ibrox side, if they lose against the Greek side they will drop to the Europa League qualifiers, then if they lose that game they will enter the Conference League play-off stage. But if they get past Panathinaikos, then they will guarantee league phase participation. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Rangers discover Champions League qualifying opponents
Russell Martin's side will face Panathinaikos as they enter the competition next month. Rangers were a seeded team in this morning's draw in Nyon, Switzerland, where they were paired against the Greek side. As they were first out of the hat for their tie, Rangers are set to be the home team and play the first leg at Ibrox before heading to Greece for the return fixture. The matches will be played on July 22/23 and 29/30. Read more: Champions League second qualifying round draw revealed Rangers vs Panathinaikos SK Brann vs FC Salzburg Vikotria Plzen vs Servette What happens if Rangers win/lose in Champions League qualifying? Champions League second qualifying round: Win = progress to third qualifying round, Loss = drop into Europa League third qualifying round Champions League third qualifying round: Win = progress to play-off round, Loss = drop into Europa League league phase Champions League play-off round: Win = Champions League league phase, Loss = drop into Europa League league phase Europa League third qualifying round: Win = progress to play-off round, Loss = drop into Conference League play-off round Europa League play-off round: Win = Europa League league phase, Loss = Conference League league phase Conference League play-off round: Win = Conference League league phase, Loss = Out of Europe
New York Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Curiosity and a new challenge drew former Bayern Munich Women's coach to Angel City
Alexander Straus, Angel City's new head coach, didn't arrive in Los Angeles on a whim. After turning down several chances to move to the U.S. in the past, he says this time, the stars aligned. 'Compared to other opportunities I've had, including the location, everything about this club, this team, which has been well documented all over the world in the media, intrigues me,' Straus told reporters on Thursday. 'I think there is still a lot of work to be done, but it's not done over 24 hours or one week or three weeks.' Advertisement While the decision to leave Europe wasn't an easy one, Straus emphasized that curiosity and challenge played a major role. 'It's a completely different culture. A different league. But football is a small world,' he said. 'There's this weird gap in understanding between Europe and the U.S.—we don't really know how good the best teams are on either side. I needed to find out. I'm halfway through my career, and I didn't want to wait until I have grandchildren to take that leap.' Straus is coming to Los Angeles after spending three years coaching German powerhouse Bayern Munich. He led the team to three consecutive Frauen-Bundesliga titles from 2022 to 2025. Before joining Bayern, the 49-year-old Norwegian coached SK Brann in the top flight of his native Norway, winning the league twice. The hiring marks a significant shift for the ambitious Los Angeles club, which is counting on his UEFA Champions League experience and understanding of youth development to steer an Angel City team that has struggled with consistency. If you ask him, there's no question that Angel City will eventually find success. 'Whether it's in one year or five, I don't know, but it will happen. Everything around this club says it will,' Straus said. 'I want to be part of that.' The move isn't just professional for Straus. California, with its weather and culture, was a draw, but so was the promise of a project where the women's team isn't playing second fiddle. And Angel City worked really hard to convince him to join. 'In Europe, even with clubs like Bayern or Chelsea, there's still a men's team getting the lion's share. Here, at Angel City, we are the team. That's rare,' he said. 'The facilities, the focus, the fan base, it's a powerful setup. That's something America has ahead of Europe right now.' The team has already made a signing that feels aligned with Straus' leadership. Last month, Angel City signed former Wolfsburg forward Sveindís Jónsdóttir who was used to seeing Staus on the opposite touchline in the Frauen-Bundesliga. Advertisement I'd already been talking to Angel City and I was trying to decide what I wanted to do, and then I saw that he's gonna be the coach, and it made me more excited about Angel City, knowing how well he's done for Bayern,' Jónsdóttir told The Athletic ahead of her signing. 'I know his style of play. He can make every team look good and play well. It made my choice even easier.' Though there may be an understanding gap between Europe and the U.S., according to Straus, the difference between domestic and international players isn't really a factor in his coaching. 'It's not about where they're from, it's about the environment they're coming into,' he said. 'We often overstate the difference between American and European (soccer). The structure is different. There is a wage cap. It's a playoff league. But ultimately, it's about creating a good environment for good players.' Still, the transition won't be instant. Straus acknowledges that he has work to do to build that environment in L.A. 'It's early days. I'm still the new guy in class,' he said jokingly. 'We're just starting to create the culture, the behaviors, the habits that we want.' Strauss arrived in LA last Sunday, and this weekend will mark his first with the full squad, many of whom were away on national team duty last week. He's had time to get acquainted with the team during the last few months through hours of videos on Angel City's games over the last couple of years. But he isn't in a rush. 'First of all, you need to know people, not the players,' he said. 'The players I knew long before I came. I need to know the people and I need to know what makes them tick.' Backed by one of the NWSL's most powerful ownership groups led by Willow Bay, Bob Iger, Julie Uhrman and Kara Nortman, Angel City is the league's most valuable club and a sponsor favorite, thanks to steady attendance and good brand awareness. But despite its off-field dominance, the club now finds itself at a critical crossroads; it's time to deliver results on the pitch. 'I wanted to see what we can do to get the legacy of Angel City to become like the other big sports brands in the city, to become the same here,' Straus said. 'That excites me.'
Glasgow Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Champions League qualifier importance laid bare in Rangers Euro route
The club faces the Champions League second qualifying round early next season, followed by two more rounds to reach the league phase. If they lose, Rangers would enter the Europa League qualifiers, making their path to the group stage more challenging. An exit at the Europa League third qualifying round would see them drop into the Conference League play-offs for a chance at the group stage. Rangers will be seeded for their Champions League qualifier due to their strong coefficient score and will face one of Panathinaikos, SK Brann, or Servette. Victory would see them advance to the third qualifying round, while a defeat would significantly hamper their chances of European group stage football. The draw system in the competition means Rangers' coefficient ranking will be used for the third qualifying round, whether they qualify or not. This would place them as a seeded team if they progress in the Champions League. However, a loss would likely see them as an unseeded side in the Europa League third qualifying round. This would open the possibility of facing teams like Braga and PAOK. The importance of their first Champions League qualifier is heightened by the impact on their route to league phase football. Progressing to the Champions League third qualifying round would not only bring them closer to the Champions League proper but would also ensure league phase football in the Europa League. Teams that lose in the Champions League third qualifying round or play-off round automatically enter the Europa League league phase without needing to navigate further qualifiers.
