BATE starts in Champions League with Shakhtyor, Kazakhstan
Belarusian striker Ihar Zyankovich, who started his career in BATE, now plays for Shakhtyor, Karaganda.
BATE will play their first Champions League game this year against Shakhtyor Karaganda from Kazakhstan. The drawing of the top European football tournament took place on Monday in Nyon, Switzerland.
The Belarusian club starts from the second qualification round. Victar Hancharenka's team will host the first game, on July 16 or 17. The second leg will take place in Kazakhstan on July 23 or 24.
Belarusian striker Ihar Zyankovich, who started his career in BATE Barysau, now plays for Shakhtyor, Karaganda. After the seasons in Nyoman, Darida, Dynama Minsk and Dnepr Mahileu, Ihar found himself in Akjaiik, Kazakhstan, and then transferred to Shakhtyor, Karaganda.
The Kazakh club won the country's championship for the second year in a row.
Shakhtyor was founded in 1950. The club colours are orange, black and white. The club from Karaganda is one of the two clubs that never left the top league. However, Shakhtyor were the champions just twice, and got the bronze medals three times.
