The coach of debutants in European competitions, Naftan footballers, hopes to play successfully against Belgian Gent.

June 22, Minsk / Igor Khadasevich – BELTA /. After the draw for the European football tournaments, which took place today in Nyon, Switzerland, coaches of Belarusian teams assessed the chances of their rivals in the upcoming matches, reports BELTA correspondent. The head coach of the debutant of continental tournaments, Naftan Novopolotsk, Igor Kovalevich, noted that Belgian Gent is a very serious competitor. According to the coach of the Belarusian Cup holders, the Belgians have a better chance of reaching the 3rd round of the Europa League, but his wards will also strive to give a fight to a formidable opponent and try to advance further. Igor Kovalevich believes that it will be very interesting for the debutants to play against a reputable European club. The Belarusian team will play the first match on July 16 at home, and on July 23 will play in Belgium. Yuri Puntus, who heads the capital's MTZ-RIPO, also expressed no particular regrets about the upcoming meetings with the Montenegrin club Sutjeska. He said that he knows practically nothing about the opponent yet, but hopes for success in the two-round duel with the Balkan team. In case of victory at the start, in the 2nd round, the tractor builders will face Metalurh Donetsk. The head coach of Dinamo Minsk, Serbian specialist Slavoljub Muslin, believes that the draw was favorable, having chosen Macedonian Renova as an opponent. According to him, he intends to contact his colleagues who have information about the Macedonian team soon. Slavoljub Muslin also said that his team has the task of reaching the group stage of the Europa League. If Dinamo defeats Renova, their next opponent will be Norwegian Tromsø. Both capital teams will play their first qualifying matches at home on July 2, and will play away on July 9. -0-