The wheel keeps turning. Less than a month after Real Madrid beat Juventus, the first round draw for next season's Champions League and Europa League will take place in Nyon next Monday morning.
Once again, there are four Irish teams involved. League champions Dundalk will enter the Champions League in the second qualifying round, with league leaders Cork City, Shamrock Rovers and Derry City all joining the Europa League draw in the first qualifying rounds.
There's a multitude of possibilities for all four. Dundalk will play one of 17 potential opponents, while there are 50 seeded clubs awaiting Cork, Rovers and Derry.
These seeds will be split up into mini groups on the morning of the draw, so fans will be able to narrow down their Ryanair searches. But for now, Balls will look at the best and worst case scenario's for the Irish sides in Europe.
Starting with the Champions.
Dundalk
Best case scenario: Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar (Iceland)
A repeat of last year's opening round game is what Stephen Kenny and the majority of Dundalk fans will be hoping for.
The Icelandic champions have started the defense of their title by taking nine points from the first six games. Not too bad, but it does leave them fifth.
Last year, they were unlucky to exit to the Lilywhites on away goals. Despite losing Andy Boyle, Daryl Horgan and Ronan Finn, Dundalk would have a good chance if they can get a result in Iceland.
Worst case scenario: Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
If you look at the rankings, you might argue that Celtic would be a worse opponent for Dundalk, but at least that would be a guaranteed sell out. Salzburg make regular appearances in the group stages of European competition - they finished third in their Europa League group last season.
They've four Austrian internationals in their squad - a pair of which started the draw against Ireland last week.
Who else can they get?
There are mines everywhere for the champions. Legia Warsaw knocked them out last year, and are potential opponents, while APOEL Nicosia and Malmo would be tricky too.
On the flip side, BATE Borisov would be fearful of a repeat trip to Ireland after being shell shocked last season in Tallaght.
Europa League
Cork City will be confident of beating any side at Turner's Cross. They've turned it into a fortress this year. They will hold onto their ace marksman Sean Maguire for their European campaign.
Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley will be making his first managerial foray into Europe, but his young side are gaining many plaudits domestically
Derry City were knocked out last year by Shakhtar Soligorsk, but have drawn with PSG in the past.
Best case scenario: Crusaders (NIR)
The one every Irish club will want. A short journey, and a team which all three have beaten previously in Setanta Cup outings. Cork stuttered past Linfield in the first qualifying round last year. It'd be a nice stroke of luck for them to get another Northern Irish team.
In terms of specifics, Cork fans would love to right the wrongs of two years ago by heading to Reykjavik to play KR again. FC Valletta and FC Vaduz would be nice targets in Malta and Liechtenstein respectively for any of the three.
Worst case scenario: FC Midtyjlland (DEN)
There's plenty of monstrous journeys in the draw, including the potential for a match on the border with China. Ordabasy or Kairat would involve over 12,000 km round trips. Those sides are beatable, as are top seeds Maccabi Tel-Aviv - just ask Dundalk fans.
FC Midjytlland beat Man United in the Champions League a couple of years ago and would be a stern test for any of the three.
None of the sides would fancy Dinamo Minsk or indeed the Belorussian Soligorsk. Although easier on paper, Rangers would represent problems, should they be paired with Irish opposition. The last time it happened, Shelbourne were forced to play the 'home' leg in Tranmere in 1998 - a match they lost 5-3.
Who else can they get?
Cork have flirted with Cypriot opposition in the past, as well as Red Star Belgrade over a decade ago. Icelandic club Starjnan are famous for their novelty goal celebrations.
The draws will be streaming online via UEFA's website from Monday at 10.
