The entire focus of everyone shifted to Nyon, Switzerland, where the Europa League round of 32 draw was set for Monday, December 17, at 6:00 PM.
In Alkmaar, Benjamin and Adam Maher gathered at Benjamin's apartment, the clock ticking toward the draw. The living room was cozy, a red and white AZ Alkmaar scarf spread over the couch, a half-eaten pizza on the coffee table.
Benjamin flopped onto the sofa with the remote in hand, his socks mismatched—one blue, one black. Adam sat cross-legged on the floor, sipping an energy drink, his phone buzzing with teammates' texts in their group chat.
The TV screen flickered to life, UEFA's logo spinning against a sleek blue background, the words "Europa League Round of 32 Draw" in bold white.
Benjamin stretched, grinning. "This is it, mate. Who do you reckon we'll get?"
Adam shrugged, wiping his hands on his jeans. "Hope it's not Chelsea. They're a nightmare. Maybe Genk? We'd smash them."
