BERLIN (DPA) – Pointe-au-Rotterdam or KOA Gent potential rivals – will give the Union Berlin-based Max Cruise some desire for the newly created Conference League. Two clubs from the Dutch and Belgian leagues are among the remaining eight teams to be selected for the playoffs for the conference league this Monday (2pm). When striker Cruz told of the European Football Association’s new match in March, he laughed: “I do not know what that is.”

At least two anonymous clubs from Rotterdam and Gentle must first survive the third qualifying round. Feyenoord competes with Swiss representative FC Lucerne against former unionist Christian Gentner. Gent meets FK Riga from Landvia. Other potential union rivals are KPS Kupio (Finland) FC Astana (Kazakhstan) and Bohemians Dublin (Ireland).

The union, which qualified seventh in the Bundesliga for the conference league, is playing internationally for the first time since 2001. 20 years ago, the Kofenikers were part of the DFB Cup finalists who lost in the UEFA Cup and were eliminated in the second round against Litex Lovechech from Bulgaria.

The playoff games will take place on August 19 and 26. Eisern will play their home game at the Berlin Olympic Stadium, as the stadium seating capacity in the Alte Forestry does not meet UEFA requirements. If the union survives the playoffs, the group stage will be on September 16th. The final will be held on May 25 at Tirana.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210802-99-658895 / 2