Aberdeen to play Zalgiris Vilnius or BK Hacken in Europa League play-off

Aberdeen will play Zalgiris Vilnius or BK Hacken in the play-off round of the Europa League.

Barry Robson’s side learned their fate at UEFA’s draw in Nyon on Monday and are eagerly anticipating European action under way.

The Dons will have to wait until the sides complete their third-round tie to learn exactly who stands between them and the group stage of the competition but can begin doing their homework on the sides from Lithuania and Sweden.

Aberdeen earned their place in the competition after a strong second half of the season saw them rise to finish third in the Premiership.

That booked a place in the Europa League play-off round, and guaranteed European football up until Christmas with the play-off loser at least having the consolation of a group stage place in the Europa Conference League.

Aberdeen want the bigger prize of Europa League qualification though, and will have to get past Zalgiris Vilnius or BK Hacken to get there.

Both sides are in the competition after being knocked out of Champions League qualification. Lithuanian champions Zalgiris defeated Macedonian side Struga in the first round of qualifying for the top tier competition but were beaten 3-2 on aggregate by Galatasaray at the second stage.

Hacken began their European journey in the Champions League qualifiers by knocking out The New Saints with a 5-1 aggregate score. They suffered disappointment in the second round, losing on penalties to Faroes champions KI after drawing 3-3 over two legs.

Aberdeen will be away from home in the first leg on August 24 before welcoming their opponents to Pittodrie a week later.