BATE secure place in UEFA Champions League group stage

FC BATE Borisov secured their place in Thursday's UEFA Champions League group stage draw despite a narrow playoff second-leg defeat to Partizan (1-2) on 26 August.

Igor Stasevich fired low into the net midway through the first half to open the score for the Belarusian team. Maksim Zhavnerchik's own goal and Ivan Saponjic's late volley made things close, yet the Belarusian champions hung on to make it four play-off qualifications from four attempts.

The UEFA Champions League group stage draw is due to take place in Monaco on 27 August. Games will be held from 15 September through 9 December. Two best teams from each group advance to the first knockout round. The third-placed finishers in every group enter the UEFA Europa League round of 32. The Champions League final is decided by a single match, which this season will be held at the San Siro, Milan on 28 May 2016.