Caernarfon relishing Legia Warsaw challenge

Caernarfon Town players and officials celebrate the win over Crusaders

Caernarfon Town will revel in the tag of underdogs once more when they face Polish giants Legia Warsaw in the Europa Conference League second qualifying round.

The Canaries, who are appearing in Europe for the first time in their history, beat Northern Ireland’s Crusaders on penalties in the first qualifying round.

Richard Davies’ side face the 15-times Polish champions in the away leg on Thursday, 25 July.

“They’ve got international players and this is quite a step for us and quite a challenge for us,” club chairman Paul Evans said.

“But you know we like going into games where we are the underdogs.

“But we’re looking forward to testing our standards and the standard of the Cymru Premier.”

Caernarfon Town chairman Paul Evans celebrates after the win over Crusaders

Should Caernarfon shock Legia Warsaw, they will face either Danish side Brondby or KF Llapi 1932, of Kosovo, in the third qualifying round.

Caernarfon qualified for Europe after beating Penybont 3-1 in the Cymru Premier play-off final in May.

They wasted no time in making their mark on their European debut, beating Crusaders 2-0 in the first leg.

Though they lost the second leg 3-1 in Belfast, they won 8-7 in a penalty shootout.

“The aim over the years was to play in Europe, we’ve done that and to win in the first qualifying round was amazing,” Evans told S4C’s Newyddion.

“It’s hard to believe. Over 400 of the Cofi Army went over there and we’re so proud of them and proud of how they behaved. They were fantastic and got the team over the line.

“The penalties were taken in front of the Cofi Army and I’m sure that helped us win the penalties.”