Boro & Bolton handed tough tests

Post by **Dazza** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 11:58 am

Middlesbrough and Bolton have both been handed tough tests in the draw for the last 32 of the Uefa Cup.

Steve McClaren's Boro take on VfB Stuttgart over two legs with the first in Germany, and the winners will play Club Brugge or Roma in the last 16.

Bolton host their first knockout tie against French giants Marseille and the winners of that contest will go on to face Rosenborg or Zenit St Petersburg.

The first legs are on 15/16 February with the returns all on 23 February.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside said he was thrilled to be paired with Marseille in the Trotters' first season of European competition.

"It's fantastic news, they are a massive club and we are really looking forward to it," said Gartside.

"They have a good European pedigree and we will respect that. It's great for us to be drawn with a team of that nature.

"I'm sure it is going to be one of those magical European nights you always hear other clubs talking about."

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren believes their draw against Stuttgart will bring the crowds back in the competition.

Boro attracted just 9,436 against Liteks on Thursday and have struggled with low attendances in the competition so far this term.

"Stuttgart are a big club with a massive stadium and I think the fans will come in droves to both legs," said McClaren.

"I wanted tough opponents and that's what we've got but it suits us fine.

"We are confident in Europe now after 18 months in European competition and this is just the kind of tie which will get the fans right behind our run."

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Full draw for the last 32 of the Uefa Cup:

Liteks Lovetch v Strasbourg
VfB Stuttgart v Middlesbrough
Slavia Prague v Palermo
Lokomotiv Moscow v Sevilla
Heerenveen v Steaua Bucharest
Bolton v Marseille
Hertha Berlin v Rapid Bucharest
Basle v Monaco
Udinese v Lens
Rosenborg v Zenit St Petersburg
Club Brugge v AS Roma
Shalke 04 v Espanyol
Lille v Shakhtar Donetsk
FC Thun v Hamburg
Real Betis v AZ
Artmedia Bratislava v Levski Sofia