France and Portugal head to head

The draw for the third round of the UEFA Cup has thrown up some intriguing matches not least by pitting two French teams against two Portuguese sides while both entrants from the Czech Republic and Greece will also go head to head.

'Strong team'
In the battle between France and Portugal, RC Lens are up against FC Porto while Paris Saint-Germain FC will meet Boavista FC. PSG are well aware that Boavista will pose a threat. "They are a strong team," said coach Luis Fernandez. "We will take it very seriously." With five teams involved, France have more entrants than any other country. Porto coach Jose Mourinho was delighted to be paired with Lens, especially with the proximity of the location after a second-round trip to FK Austria Wien. "That's a good trip," he said. "At least, it will be a shorter one."

Close tie
In the showdown between the Czechs and Greeks, SK Slavia Praha will meet FC PAOK Thessaloniki and FC Slovan Liberec take on Panathinaikos FC. Josef Jinoch, Slavia club secretary, said he believed the match against PAOK would be finely balanced. "We have a 50-50 chance," he said. "PAOK are a very good team, while we are playing well at Slavia. I don't know what will happen."

'I am happy'
Bogdon Basalaj, representing Wisla Kraków at today's draw in Geneva, Switzerland, was delighted when his side were paired with former winners FC Schalke 04 after knocking out Parma AC in the second round. "I am happy because Schalke are a good, very traditional club," he said. "I think after beating Parma we are not afraid of anybody. I have a hope that we will go to the next round."

Good for fans
Schalke coach Frank Neubarth was also pleased after seeing his team drawn against their second Polish opposition in a row. He said: "I think we are turning into Polish experts. Both our Polish players have already warned us that Wisla are far more technically strong than Legia. I think our fans can look forward to a couple of very intensive matches with plenty of attacking play."

'Good memories'
Like Schalke, Liverpool FC have also lifted the famous trophy. The English club, winners three times, will play SBV Vitesse after failing to make the second group stage of the UEFA Champions League. "Of course we are very disappointed not to be in the Champions League," said chief executive Rick Parry. "But we have very good memories of the UEFA Cup from 2001 so I am sure the players will be highly motivated."

'Great draw'
Fulham FC are one of three UEFA Intertoto Cup winners in the third round, along with Málaga CF and VfB Sttugart. The English side will play Hertha BSC Berlin. "To draw a German team is great," said Fulham club secretary Lee Hoos. "We will do our best." Hertha coach Huub Stevens was also happy. "It's a great draw. We don't have to travel too much and for the fans it promises to be a great two matches. Fulham are a class side who have invested heavily through the last decade."

Broos wary
Another former winner of the tournament are RSC Anderlecht, who face off against FC Girondins de Bordeaux. "A French team is always difficult to compete with," said Anderlecht coach Hugo Broos. "Bordeaux have the speed and the technical qualities to make it very difficult for us."