MINSK, 22 August (BelTA) – FC BATE Borisov will play its first Europe League playoff match on 22 August, BelTA has learned.
A team of Ukrainian referees led by Serhiy Boyko will umpire at the BATE v Astana encounter at Astana Arena in Nur-Sultan. One of Astana's leading players is Belarusian midfielder Ivan Mayewski.
Three years ago BATE and Astana played at the same stage of the Europe League, with the Kazakhstan team winning 2-0 (at home) and 2-2 (away).
Both the teams launched this season's campaign in the Champions League. In the first qualifying round BATE beat Piast Gliwice 1-1 (at home) and 2-1 (away). Then, the Belarusian team lost to Norway's Rosenborg BK 2-1 (at home) and 0-2 (away) to relegate to the Europa League where the team overpowered FK Sarajevo 2-1 (away) and 0-0 (at home).
Today's Europa League playoff match between the champions of Belarus and Kazakhstan will kick off at 17.00 (Minsk time) and will be broadcast live by the Belarus 5 TV channel. The return game is slated for 29 August at Borisov Arena.
