AEK Athens was handed one of the toughest draws in the Champions League third qualifying round yesterday, as it will have to face Sevilla, the Spanish side that won the UEFA Cup for the last two years and finished third in last season’s Spanish league.

The draw will also pit AEK’s Spanish coach Lorenzo Serra Ferrer against old foes, as he was coach of Sevilla’s bitter local rivals Real Betis for six years.

“We have been drawn against a very difficult opponent. They are a very strong team,” said Serra Ferrer.

AEK will travel to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on August 14 for the first leg. The return game will take place at the Olympic Stadium in Athens on August 28.

“I don’t think it’s an advantage to be playing the first game away,” said Serra Ferrer. “It’s not a decisive factor but we will have our fans on our side in the return game at the Olympic Stadium.”

Sevilla faced Greek opposition last year when it beat Atromitos Athens in the first round of the UEFA Cup.