Celtic handed Helsingborgs test

Celtic handed Helsingborgs test

Published Aug. 10, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

Celtic will face Swedish side Helsingborgs in the Champions League play-off round.

Neil Lennon's men booked their place in the draw with a 4-1 aggregate win over Finnish club HJK Helsinki.

Swedish legend Henrik Larsson played for both clubs and is certain to be the focus of attention in the build-up.

Lille will begin their Champions League challenge against Danish champions FC Copenhagen as the French club look to claim a place in the group stage.

ADVERTISEMENT

Les Dogues finished an impressive third in Ligue 1 last season and victory over FCK in their two-legged play-off would see them join French champions Montpellier and runners-up Paris St Germain in the next round.

Borussia Monchengladbach face a tricky tie against Dynamo Kiev, who knocked out Feyenoord in the third qualifying round in midweek.

Spanish side Malaga will be hoping to put their financial concerns aside when they meet another money-troubled side, Panathinaikos.

The Primera Division club have previously said they are willing to listen to offers for any player because of severe economic troubles, and have already sold midfielder Santi Cazorla to Arsenal and Salomon Rondon to Rubin Kazan.

In other play-off ties, Spartak Moscow face Fenerbahce and Udinese take on Braga.

Basle meet Romanian side CFR Cluj, and BATE Borisov face Hapoel Kiryat Shmona from Israel.

Cypriot club AEL Limassol will go up against Anderlecht and Dinamo Zagreb take on Maribor of Slovenia to complete the fixtures.

The first legs will be played on August 21 and 22, with the return matches taking place the following week.

Champions League Play-off Round draw

Basel v CFR Cluj

Helsingborgs v Celtic

AEL v Anderlecht

BATE v Hapoel Kiryat Shmona

Dinamo Zagreb v Maribor

Braga v Udinese

Spartak Moscow v Fenerbahce

Malaga v Panathinaikos

Borussia M'Gladbach v Dynamo Kiev

Lille v FC Copenhagen

share