PSV Eindhoven draws Basel in Champions League qualifying
NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Former European champion PSV Eindhoven was drawn to face Basel in Champions League qualifying on Wednesday.
As Dutch league runner-up, PSV starts at the same preliminary stage as eventual semifinalist Ajax did last year, needing to beat three opponents to join the 32-team group stage.
The 1988 European Cup champions were edged in a tight title race by Ajax, which enters in the next qualifying round in August.
PSV hosts Basel on July 23 or 24, and the return game is in Switzerland on July 30 or 31.
In the other pairing of league runners-up, Viktoria Plzen will face Olympiakos.
Among 10 pairings of league champions, 1967 European Cup champion Celtic or Sarajevo will play Nomme Kalju or Shkendija. Red Star Belgrade, the 1991 champion, or Suduva will play HJK Helsinki or Torshavn.
Roma was the top attraction in the Europa League qualifying draw, and the Italian club drew Debrecen or Kukesi. Eintracht Frankfurt, a semifinalist in the last edition, will play away first against Radnicki Nis or Flora Tallinn.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, which lost in the final of the first UEFA Cup in 1972, returns to European competition after a 39-year gap against Crusaders or B36 Torshavn.
