[DavidMc]

Aberdeen reaction to UEFA Cup draw

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood said his side face four tough games after the draw was made for the Uefa Cup group stage in Nyone.
The Dons were drawn in Group B with Greek outfit Panathinaikos, Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow, Spanish giants Atletico Madrid and FC Copenhagen.

"It's very exciting. I was hoping we'd get the Russians at home and we have done," Calderwood said.

"Every one of them will be difficult games - our fans can enjoy Madrid."

The Dons will play two matches at home - against Lokomotiv Moscow and Copenhagen - and two away - opening their group campaign against Panathanaikos on 25 October then visiting Atletico Madrid.

Hopefully, there will be two great European nights at Pittodrie and we get six points

The top three teams form each group progress to the knock-out stages of the competition.

Calderwood was granted his wish to avoid Bayern Munich, Everton and Tottenham when the Dons were drawn from pot five at the ceremony at Uefa's headquarters in Switzerland.

"Hopefully, there will be two great European nights at Pittodrie and we get six points and a good chance of progression," he said.

The Aberdeen manager said he was optimistic about the Dons' chances of qualifying for the knock-out stage of the competition.

"I don't see why not," he said.

"We played a very good team in Dnipro who would not be out of place in pot one or pot two for this draw.

"We've got nothing to fear - we are the underdogs but we did it last time."

Aberdeen director of football Willie Miller said: "It's mouthwatering, but it's going to be tough.

"We're looking forward to great nights back at Pittodrie."

Miller, who captained the club to the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1983, said of the draw: "I suppose it could've been a bit easier, but it also could've been harder.

"Jimmy and his team will be putting together a dossier on the sides and they are top sides, so it's going to be really difficult.

"It's great for everybody involved at the club. It's a fantastic achievement and everybody should take a bow for the work that they've put in."

Panathanaikos are currently third in the Greek league and played against Rangers in the Champions League four seasons ago, winning 3-1 at Ibrox.

Meanwhile, Danish champions Copenhagen inflicted a 3-0 defeat on Celtic in last season's Champions League and dropped into this year's Uefa cup after losing to Benfica in the third qualifying round.

Atletico Madrid and Lokomotiv Moscow are both lying sixth in their respective leagues.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aberdeen's Uefa Cup Group B Schedule

25 October (a) v Panathinaikos

8 November (h) v Lokomotiv Moscow

29 November (a) v Atletico Madrid

20 December (h) v Copenhagen

A very tough group for Aberdeen but just for them to be involved is a great boost for them. It will give them the opportunity to make some money in ticket sales and also gives them a chance to re-establish themselves in Europe.