Hearts to face Real Sociedad in Women's Europa Cup last 32 | OneFootball

Heart of Midlothian will face Real Sociedad in the UEFA Women's Europa Cup last 32, after La Real fell to Chelsea in Champions League qualifying. Friday's draw in Nyon paired the sides.

According to Diario Vasco, the first leg is set for 22 or 23 September in Edinburgh, with the return on 30 September or one October at Estadio Zubieta, and kick-off times are to be confirmed.

The competition is straight knockout from this stage, with four further rounds to a two-legged final. Real have avoided heavyweights such as Wolfsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt, Ajax and Hammarby, though Hearts arrive as Scottish champions.

The club are Heart of Midlothian in full, and Hearts when shortened. The women’s side, known as Hearts Women or the Gorgie Girls, was founded in 2009 after absorbing Musselburgh Windsor, and adopted the Hearts Women F.C. name in 2018.

Hearts compete in SWPL 1 and were champions last season ahead of Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow City. They usually play at Oriam in Edinburgh, capacity 500, but switch to Tynecastle Park, home of the men's side, for major dates, which holds 19,852.

New head coach Andy Thompson succeeds the highly regarded Eva Olid, hired by Manchester United after leading Hearts to their best returns in Europe. The team are intense and well organised, looking to strike in transition, with Mariana Speckmaier, Lauren Wade and Carly Johns offering threat, and Carly Girasoli partnering Erin Husband at the back.

If Real progress, they will reach the last 16. The draw on two October will set the route to the final.

Source: Diario Vasco

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