Football: Chelsea to face durable Swedes

THE SWEDISH part-timers Helsingborg are hopeful of pulling off their second European upset against a Premiership side in two years after being drawn against the holders, Chelsea, in the Cup-Winners' Cup first round.

Helsingborg knocked Aston Villa out of the Uefa Cup in the first round in 1996 on the away-goals rule, holding the Midlands side to a 0-0 draw in Sweden after securing a 1-1 draw at Villa Park with a determined defensive performance. They also beat the Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax in the next round, before falling to Anderlecht in their best European performance.

Chelsea are at home for the first leg on 17 September and then travel to Sweden two weeks later, where the ground capacity is likely to be 11,000. Helsingborg are second in their league and have a Norwegian coach, Age Hareide, who spent part of his playing career at Manchester City and Norwich.

The Blackburn manager, Roy Hodgson, holds Rovers' French Uefa Cup opponents, Lyon, in the highest regard. He said of the first-round draw: "It's an interesting one and, to be honest, it would have been tough whoever we'd have got.

"I know a bit about them, and none of us need reminding that France are the World champions and football in France is in the ascendancy."

Leeds United's George Graham was delighted with his side's Uefa Cup draw against Portugal's Maritimo, but was disappointed at having to play the first leg at home.

Liverpool's co-manager, Roy Evans, warned against complacency when he heard of his side's Uefa cup draw against Kosice, a Slovakian side.

"Don't let anybody tell you this isn't a hard tie," he said. "This club has the monopoly on the best players in Slovakia."

European draws, Digest, page 26