The New Saints qualify for Europe
The New Saints have become the first Cymru Premier side to qualify for the group stages of European club football.
On a nervy night at Park Hall, TNS secured their place in the Uefa Conference League by holding off FK Panevezys to win through 3-0 on aggregate – all the damage done in Lithuania last week.
The Saints will discover their opponents in the league phase on Friday – with Chelsea, Fiorentina and Real Betis among the sides also attempting to secure their path through the play-off round.
Chairman, Mike Harris said: “This is a momentous moment for not just The New Saints but for football across Wales as we qualify to represent the nation on one of world football's biggest stages.
"Tonight represents a landmark and game-changing achievement that has the ability to help the domestic game and TNS move to the next level in many aspects including funding, reputation and exposure for Welsh football.
“I am immensely proud of everyone connected to the club who have worked tirelessly for several years to achieve this magnificent feat, from Craig, to all the players and everyone behind the scenes.
"Everyone at the club cannot wait to see who we will take on in the league phase, where we will take on some of the continent's most prestigious clubs.
“We will be looking to take full advantage of this opportunity to ensure that this is not a one off and we are qualifying for this stage of European competition for years ahead.
"The exposure this platform will bring to the club will be unrivalled and we hope to have the whole nation behind us as we proudly fly the flag for Wales.”
Cymru Premier champions TNS won their Uefa Conference League play-off tie first leg 3-0 in Lithuania a week ago thanks to goals from Danny Davies, Ben Clark and Dan Williams.
Having taken a commanding lead, a goalless draw at Park Hall Stadium meant that they progressed comfortably to Friday’s draw in Monaco.
Davies and Adrian Cieslewicz had first-half chances for TNS, but the visitors also created opportunities.
Any hopes that Panevezys had of clawing back the deficit, though, were effectively undone when Rokas Rasimavicius was sent of after 63 minutes when he received a second yellow card.
