Stoke City learn fate in Europa League draw

The draw for the third qualifying round of the Europa League has handed Stoke City a difficult test against Croatian side Hajduk Split.

Tony Pulis’ FA Cup runners-up welcome the former Champions League semi-finalists to the Britannia on July 28 before a return trip on August 4.

Fulham could also have to travel to Croatia to face RNK Split if they defeat Domzale and Martin Jol’s men knock out Crusaders, who they beat 3-1 in the first leg of their second-round qualifying meeting.

Scottish Premier League club Hearts face a trip to either Hungarian side Paksi or Norway’s Tromso in the first leg of the qualifiers.

Compatriots Dundee United have an uphill task to complete before they can progress as they attempt to overcome a 1-0 deficit against Slask Wroclaw on Thursday.

They will play either Metalurg Skopje or Lokomotiv Sofia if they make it past the Polish outfit.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid will face Norwegian side Stromsgodset, with the first leg to be played in the Spanish capital.

Serie A club Palermo will face either Albanian side Vllaznia or the Swiss team of Thun, with the Sicilian outfit playing the first leg away from home.

Bursaspor will play their first leg of the third qualifying round on home soil in Turkey against Belarusian side Gomel, while Dutch club AZ Alkmaar tackle the victors of KS Flamurtari and FK Jablonec.