🚨 Mainz handed a favourable draw: UECL last 16 fixtures

Often maligned as the unloved stepchild of the Champions League and Europa League, the UEFA Conference League has consistently delivered plenty of excitement in recent years. Will we see something similar this year?

The chances are pretty good! The round of 16 pairings have just been drawn, and there are definitely a few highlights among them.

As the only Bundesliga representative, 1. FSV Mainz 05 will face Sigma Olomouc from the Czech Republic and find themselves in what appears to be the easier side of the bracket. This means Mainz will initially avoid opponents like Fiorentina or Crystal Palace. 

The UECL Round of 16 at a Glance

Sigma Olomouc - Mainz  

Crystal Palace - AEK Larnaca

Lech Poznań - Shakhtar Donetsk

Samsunspor - Rayo 

AZ Alkmaar - Sparta Prague

NK Celje - AEK Athens

Fiorentina - Raków Częstochowa

HNK Rijeka - Strasbourg 

The matches will take place on March 12 & 19. Mainz will play the second leg at home in their own stadium. 

Which match would most appeal to your inner groundhopper? Let us know in the comments!

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.