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West Ham to face Shakhtyor Soligorsk or Domzale in Europa League

Dimitri Payet (C) of West Ham United celebrates
Image: West Ham have been drawn at home first in their Europa League third round qualifier

West Ham will face either Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus or Slovenian side Domzale in the third round of Europa League qualifying.

The first leg is currently set to take place at the Olympic Stadium on July 28, with the second leg following a week later on August 4.

However, the Hammers have appealed to UEFA over switching the home and away legs around as the Olympic Stadium will be used for the London Anniversary Games on the weekend of July 22.

It usually takes seven days to convert the stadium from athletics mode to football mode and this therefore causes an issue for West Ham, who have held positive talks with both clubs over a switch. 

Hammers' Europa lowdown
Hammers' Europa lowdown

All you need to know about West Ham's potential foes

"In order to give Stadium owners E20 Stadium LLP as much time as possible to prepare the arena for its first taste of European football, the club have today made official representation to request that the fixture be reversed," a West Ham statement read.

"If successful, Shakhtyor Soligorsk of Belarus or NK Domzale of Slovenia will visit Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the return leg on Thursday 4 August.

A general view of Olympic Stadium in London during Rugby World Cup
Image: West Ham are preparing for their first season at the Olympic Stadium

"Following post-draw discussions, both clubs have agreed to West Ham's request in principle and a final decision is expected to be ratified by UEFA in due course.

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"Owing to the date of the Europa League fixture, the club has had to agree to work to a capacity of 54,000 for the Hammers' first two fixtures at London Stadium.

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West Ham have asked UEFA to reverse the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie to have more time to prepare the Olympic Stadium

"And, given the proximity of the Anniversary Games to those opening two West Ham games, Stadium owners E20 Stadium PLP are doing their utmost to prepare the venue fully into football mode accordingly." 

Slaven Bilic's side were knocked out at the same stage last season, losing 4-3 on aggregate to Astra Giurgiu of Romania. 

Meanwhile, Aberdeen will face Maribor (Slovenia) or Levski Sofia (Bulgaria) if they overcome FK Ventspils in the second qualifying round.

ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND - JULY 14:  Wes Burns of Aberdeen celebrates after he scores during the UEFA Europa league second qualifying round, first leg match betw
Image: Aberdeen will be confident of securing their passage through to the third qualifying round

The Dons claimed a 3-0 victory over their Latvian opponents at Pittodrie on Thursday evening and will be heavy favourites to go through next week.

Hibernian have been drawn against Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin, but must first overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit against Brondby.

Hibernian manager Neil Lennon is sent to the stands during his side's defeat to Brondby
Image: Hibernian manager Neil Lennon was sent to the stands during his side's defeat to Brondby

The 2016 Scottish Cup winners were defeated at home to the Danish outfit, with Kamil Wilczek's first-minute strike enough to secure victory.

Hearts will play either Krasnodar (Russia) or Ventspils (Latvia) if they can overcome Birkirkara at Tynecastle on Thursday. 

The Jambos were held to a goalless draw out in Malta, but will be confident of securing their passage through to the next round. 

Europa League draw: Third qualifying round (first leg on July 28, second leg on August 4)

RoPS Rovaniemi /Lokomotiva Zagreb v Vorskla Poltava

Saint-Etienne v AEK Athens

Cliftonville/AEK Larnaca v Spartak Moskva

Pandurii Targu Jiu v Kairat Almaty/Maccabi Tel-Aviv

Vojvodina/Connah's Quay v Dinamo Minsk/St Patrick's Athletic

Partizan/Zaglebie Lubin v Strømsgodset/Sønderjyske

Austria Wien/Kukes v Shirak/Spartak Trnava

Hertha Berlin v Brøndby/Hibernian

West Ham United v Shakhtyor Soligorsk/Domzale

Luzern v Sassuolo

AIK Solna/Europa v Panathinaikos

İstanbul Basaksehir v Rijeka

Videoton/Cukaricki v Midtjylland/Vaduz

Levadia Tallinn/Slavia Praha v Rio Ave

Zimbru Chisinau (MDA)/Osmanlıspor* v Maccabi Haifa/Nomme Kalju

Heracles v Arouca

Piast Gliwice/IFK Göteborg v Beroe Stara Zagora/HJK Helsinki

Birkirkara/Hearts v Krasnodar

Aberdeen/Ventspils v Maribor/Levski Sofia

Debrecen/Torpedo-Belaz Zhodino v Rapid Wien

Admira Wacker Mödling/Käpäz v Slovan Liberec

AZ Alkmaar v Giannina /Odd

Lille v MTK Budapest/Qäbälä

Genk/Buducnost Podgorica v Häcken/ Cork City

Gent v Viitorul Constanta

Slovan Bratislava/ Jelgava v Omonia /Beitar Jerusalem

Oleksandriya v lasi/Hajduk Split

Neftci PFK/Shkëndija v Mladá Boleslav

KR Reykjavík /Grasshoppers v Apollon Limassol

*Participation subject to ongoing CAS proceedings.

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