No easy teams for Reial Mallorca

Reial Mallorca's director of external relations Ramón Servalls yesterday flew to Monaco for today's Champions League group stage draw declaring that “any team we are drawn against will be dangerous”. A memorable 2-1 aggregate victory over Hajduk Split in Tuesday's Champions League qualifier has already ensured that this season will be remembered as one of the most important in the 85-year history of Reial Mallorca. Goals from Samuel Eto'o and Albert Luque gave the team a 2-0 victory on the night and a place amongst the giants of European football, such as Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Juventus, in today's draw. Servalls is under no illusions that Mallorca will be drawn against tough opposition, but said the team would obviously give their best in every game. “What Mallorca have done is historic. But now we must prepare to challenge in the Champions League with as much dignity as possible.” Club president Mateu Alemany was equally as cautious, but also urged the players to have fun in Europe's elite competition. “We had to suffer to get here, but this makes up for the disappointment of two years ago when we missed out and from now on we are going to enjoy the Champions League without any pressure on the team or the players,” he said. Luque, who scored in the third minute of extra time to guarantee the win, was simply delighted to have the chance of playing against world class opposition. “I can hardly believe that we will be playing in the Champions League with all those great teams in some of the best stadiums in the world.” Mallorca, who join Barcelona, Deportivo de La Coruña and Real Madrid as Spanish representatives in the competition, could well be drawn in a group that includes either Liverpool, Arsenal or Manchester United. The draw takes place today in Monaco at 16.00 and is live on Spanish television channel La2. Mallorca's first match in the competition will be played on September 11 or 12.