Now the draw’s been made for the CONIFA Sportsbet.io European Football Cup 2019, it’s time to look ahead to what promises to be another sumptuous festival of CONIFA football!

The CONIFA family gathered in Krakow for its AGM in January 2019, with the CONIFA Sportsbet.io European Football Cup 2019 draw taking centre stage on the second day. This was also live-streamed on mycujoo.

Hosts Artsakh will take on Sapmi in the competition’s opening game in Group 1. Coincidentally, this will be Artsakh’s first CONIFA tournament fixture since they played none other than Sapmi in their final placement game at the 2014 World Football Cup! The south Caucasus side ran out 5-1 victors on that day, and will fancy their chances for another victory in front of what organisers hope will be a bumper home crowd in Stepanakert in June.

In terms of a ‘group of death’, eyes are drawn to Groups 2 and 3. The former features two previous world football champions in Abkhazia and County of Nice, alongside newcomers Chameria. And two Italian-based sides will go head to head in Group 3, with double European champions Padania up against Sardinia in what is sure to be an interesting battle. They will also meet unknown quantities Donetsk, who are taking part in CONIFA tournament football for the very first time.

Finally, in Group 4, Western Armenia will most likely receive considerable support from fans in Armenian-majority Artsakh. They take on experienced campaigners Szekely Land, and fellow south Caucasians South Ossetia. This group looks especially difficult to call in terms of which two sides will progress to the quarter-finals.

Attendees at the AGM in Krakow also heard more about plans for June’s tournament, including the proposed venues. These, along with final dates for the tournament, will be announced soon.

To remain fully up to date with the CONIFA Sportsbet.io European Football Cup 2019 – and all other CONIFA news – be sure to follow CONIFA’s social channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.