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West Ham United have been drawn against Astra Giurgiu for the final qualifying round of the Europa League Cup, the ties to be played on the 18th and 25th of August with the first leg away in Romania. Astra Giurgiu knocked West Ham out of the same competition last year, the 2nd of the ties saw Slaven Billic sent off, which is why he was unable to be on the touchline for the first match against MK Donzale, it can be safely assumed that he will have a particular interest in gaining revenge for last season's defeat and what he considered to be an unfair red card.

West Ham: Randolph, Antonio Oxford, Nordvelt, Reid, Byram, , Kayoute, Feghouli, Noble ( c ) Valencia, Carroll Oxford. Subs:Adrian,obiang Burke, page, , Cullen, Quina, Fletcher.Cullen

Tomorrow's match is obviously a keenly anticipated event, despite the 'Sword of Damocles' 2-1 negative aggregate score against NK Domzale, defeat would see Hammers fail at their first hurdle of European footballing competition, not something the co-owners, players or fans would wish. To Thursday's game, there will be a huge amount of media attention, disproportionate to the importance of actual match itself, a loss would be damaging but not necessarily catastrophic and the match is a sell out .