Gent prepares for the Europa League play-offs. The team will face Olympiakos or NEC Nijmegen in the third qualifying round. Gent has a good chance of advancing to the Europa League group stage. The draw for the Europa League play-offs has made it clear which path Union may still have to take to reach the lucrative group stage. First, a two-legged tie with the Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt in the 3rd qualifying round awaits, but if they qualify, the Brussels team will face the winner of the confrontation between Olympiakos and NEC. Olympiakos finished last season as vice-champion of Greece and is a fixed value in European football. NEC surprised again in the Netherlands with a third place in the Eredivisie and earned a ticket for the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. For Union, the focus remains for now on Bodo/Glimt. Only when the Belgian vice-champion knocks out the Norwegians can they dream of a last qualifying round towards the Champions League. Tomorrow, Union will receive Bodo/Glimt in Ostend, next week they will travel to Norway for the return match in the third qualifying round. Also, Anderlecht knows its last hurdle towards the Europa League group stage. The Brussels team may prepare for a duel against the Bulgarian champion Levski Sofia or a long trip to Kazakhstan with Kairat Almaty. First, paars-wit must see itself through against PAOK. On Thursday, they will make the trip to Thessaloniki, next week the return match will follow in their own Lotto Park. If the opponent from Greece proves too strong, they will still end up in the Conference League. Then, paars-wit must pass Brann from Norway or the Cypriot Apollon to reach the League Phase. Further in the Europa League, STVV will then come into action for the first time. The Kanaries may prepare for a duel against the winner of the confrontation between the Cypriot Omonia Nicosia or the Lincoln Red Imps from dwarf state Gibraltar. Finally, KAA Gent will also come into action in the Conference League. The Buffalo's must first still pass IFK Göteborg from Sweden. If the Swedes are knocked out, a trip to Scotland against Hibernian or against Shkëndija from Macedonia will follow. All play-offs will start next week. Within a month, we will know who will eventually end up on the group stage.