ANYTHING can happen. Those are the words of John Disney as Connah’s Quay Nomads prepare to make their Champions League bow.

Nomads have secured a place at Europe’s top table after lifting the Cymru Premier title for the first time in their history, a first qualifying round clash with FK Sarajevo at the Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday the reward.

Sarajevo have played 74 European matches - 16 in the Champions League - compared with Nomads’ 12 - and the odds are likely to be stacked against the Flintshire outfit.

But Nomads have beaten Stabaek - without conceding - and knocked Scottish Premiership outfit Kilmarnock out of the Europa League in recent seasons, while Andy Morrison’s men also defeated HJK Helsinki 1-0 in a first-leg clash before losing 3-0 in Finland three years ago.

With this tie to be played over just one leg, Nomads’ chances are increased and the versatile Disney said: “We will be ready, fit and prepared as we usually are.

“With the tie to be played over one leg anything can happen.”

For Disney, playing Champions League football is a special moment in his career.

The 28-year-old has had plenty of highs having played for the likes of Telford, Altrincham and Chester, but the chance to play in Europe’s elite club competition is an opportunity he’s relishing.

“It will be great to play in the Champions League,” said Disney. “The likes of Wildey (Michael Wilde) and Aeron (Edwards) have played in it and they’ve spoken about what it’s like.

“I’ve played in the National League and National League North in-front of big crowds and for well-supported clubs in the FA Cup, but in England, the FA Cup is as good as it gets for lower league clubs.

“When you tell friends, family and people you work with that you are playing in Europe they say ‘really?’

“The Europa League is great, but the Champions League is even bigger. There are people that have played in the Premier League and for their country that haven’t played in the Champions League.”

And while Nomads are looking forward to their debut in the competition, victory is ultimately what matters the most.

“With how well we’ve done in the last couple of years, we’ve helped put us and the league on the map,” added Disney, whose side tackled Cardiff City U23s in the capital on Wednesday.

“We want to make us and the league proud again.”