Intertoto Fixtures Take Shape

The Magpies have already been handed a spot into round three, due to the strength of the English national team as well as domestic teams record in Europe.

Vasas of Hungary, who Sunderland beat on their first European stint in 1973, will play an unnamed Slovakian side with the winners taking on A Turkish team in round two. The winners of that will then play the Toon Army. Victory for Alan Shearer and co. would then place them in the semi-final. Three teams per year qualify into the UEFA cup through the Intertoto competition.

However, the Intertoto cup this year could prove difficult with 2004 finalists Marseilles and German outfit Borussia Dortmund in contention for the “backdoor to Europe.”