Everton to play Hajduk Split in Europa League playoff round
Ronald Koeman's side progressed with a 2-0 aggregate win over MFK Ruzomberok
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Your support makes all the difference.Everton will play Croatia's Hajduk Split in the Europa League playoff round for a place in the competition's group stages.
Ronald Koeman's side were seeded for Friday's draw at Uefa's headquarters in Nyon and the Dutchman insisted his side will be ready to be tested by Hajduk Split.
Everton were drawn at home in the first leg, which will be played at Goodison Park on August 17. The return leg at the 35,000-capacity Stadion Poljud will follow on 24 August.
“Hajduk Split will be a real challenge, with their strong support and a stadium that is good to play football in,” Koeman told Everton's official website.
“But of course we want to reach the group stages of the Europa League, so we will have analysed their strengths and weaknesses between now and the tie and we will be prepared.”
Everton progressed to the final qualifying stage by securing a 2-0 aggregate win over Slovakian side MFK Ruzomberok on Thursday.
Leighton Baines' goal at Goodison Park had earned Koeman's men a narrow first-leg lead and youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin struck the only goal of the second leg to make sure of a safe passage into the next round.
Hajduk Split, who finished third in the Croatian top flight last season, saw off Levski Sofia and Brondby in the previous qualifying rounds to reach this stage.
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