It’s been a busy pre-season campaign for The New Saints, with eight friendlies played in four different nations, featuring clubs from five countries.
On Tuesday, July 9, though, the rubber hits the 2024/2025 competitive road, as the champions of Wales welcome their counterparts from Montenegro in the UEFA Champions League.
The first qualifying round first-leg tie is a massive one for Craig Harrison’s side, because if the challenge of FK Dečić is navigated successfully, then at least three more ties across the trio of UEFA club competitions are guaranteed.
The Blues (Plavi), as the opponent from the Balkans is known, have played in all but four of the First League (top-flight) campaigns since the league was launched, following Montenegro’s independence in 2006.
Following on from third (twice) and fourth placings in the three previous campaigns, last season was their first ever league title.
In a division that is comprised of ten teams – where they all play each other four times (36 games) – FK Dečić beat their nearest challengers, Mornar, by six points.
By contrast, The New Saints ended 2023/2024 with a very healthy gap of thirty-three points, ahead of Connah’s Quay Nomads.
The Montenegrins won twenty of their fixtures, drew ten and lost six, while Craig Harrison saw his Invincibles win on thirty occasions, with just two draws to mar what would have been a perfect season.
Ever-present on the European stage this century, although The New Saints has played several other nations that were once part of Yugoslavia, this will be the first time against a Montenegrin opponent.
Kick-off is 7.00 p.m. (local time) and you can purchase tickets here. Programmes will be available on the night at a cost of £4.
For those unable to make it to Park Hall in person, don’t miss out. You can follow the action for free via TNS TV, with the game being streamed courtesy of Planet Hippo.
Details will be released on the club’s social media platforms in due course and joining us for the commentary is Wales C manager, Mark Jones.
