SC Freiburg now know the route ahead in the UEFA Conference League play-off round, even if the opponent is still to be decided. They will face either HJK Helsinki or Motherwell over two legs, with the first leg away on 20 August and the return in Freiburg on 27 August.
The tie that decides Freiburg's opponent
HJK Helsinki and Motherwell meet in the third qualifying round on 6 and 13 August, and that tie will decide who travels to face Freiburg. The winner steps into a play-off that carries a place in the 36-team league phase.
Freiburg enter this stage after finishing seventh in the Bundesliga last season. That is enough to keep their European run alive, but it also means there is still one more hurdle before the main draw on 28 August, should they get through.
What Freiburg will be facing
The two possible opponents both bring a decent case to the tie. Motherwell finished fourth in the Premiership last season and have won three of their last five matches across all competitions. HJK Helsinki have won their last two Conference League qualifiers 5-0 and 3-0, which is the sharper recent European form on offer.
For Freiburg, the important part is not the identity of the opponent yet, but the structure of the task. Julian Schuster's side know the dates now, and they know the league phase begins on 15 October if they progress. The next step is simply waiting for HJK Helsinki and Motherwell to settle it on 6 and 13 August.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
