BALA TOWN’S heroics in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League have earned them a home tie against Belgian giants Standard Liege.

During the draw in Nyon, Switzerland, on Monday, the Lakesiders were selected as hosts of the match, with the tie expected to be played at the Cardiff City Stadium..

However, the following day, it was announced that the match had been moved to Belgium with Standard now set to welcome Bala to their Stade Maurice Dufrasne home ground on September 17 (kick-off time to be announced).

Traditionally, UEFA Europa League ties would feature a home and away leg. However, due to current circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, teams now play just the one match.

By beating Valletta at the Centenary Stadium in Malta 1-0 last Thursday, Bala Town progressed to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League for the first time ever.

Colin Caton's men created further history by securing their first ever European away win after five previous attempts.

Denbighshire Free Press:

PICTURE: Gareth Hughes.

In a dramatic match which included a penalty save from Bala's debutant goalkeeper Alex Ramsay, it was once again captain Chris Venables who was the difference on the night with his first half strike (above) enough to seal a famous victory.

Speaking to the Denbighshire Free Press after the match, manager Caton said: "It was an unbelievable feeling to go and win there and another massive milestone for the club, especially when we had all the restraints in place against us due to Covid-19.

"We went there not wanting to lose another away game in Europe, so there was a bit of the fear factor. But, we defended well as a unit and I don't think Valletta really had any clear cut chances apart from the penalty.

"It's just a shame that our fan base couldn't be there to witness it with us - I felt sorry for those who missed out on such a historic night".

Bala's next opponents are relatively a big name on the European Stage, having played more than 200 matches in European competitions during their 122 year history, even reaching the finals of the UEFA Cup Winners Cup (1982) and UEFA Intertoto Cup (1996).

The only Welsh club Standard Liege have faced to date were Cardiff City twice, beating them on both occasions in the UEFA Cup Winners Cup in 1965 and 1993.

The club finished fifth in the Belgian Pro League last season and are currently sat in second place in the division's 2020/21 campaign, which is already four games in.

Speaking ahead of his side's trip to Belgium, Bala manager Caton said: "I think, truth be told, we would have preferred to have been drawn against Willem II or Aberdeen but it is what it is and, although it will be a massive task for us, we won't be going there to get embarrassed.

"They're a Champions League team at the end of the day and they're currently second in their league table, so we will set ourselves up properly like we did for Valletta and once again try to cause a major upset.

"Moving the game to Belgium was the right decision and playing in a stadium of that size will be an amazing experience for the players but we're sad again that the fans can't be there".

Should Bala progress against Standard Liege then they will host Serbian side FK Vojvodina in qualifying round three of the UEFA Europa League.