LIVE UPDATES: Athlone Town face Briedablik of Iceland in Champions League

* Athlone Town 0 Breidablik 0: Refresh this page every few minutes for the latest updates from the Champions League qualifier which kicked off at 12 noon.

46 mins: The winners this afternoon will, on Saturday, face the winners of a game at 6pm today between FC Twente and Red Star Belgrade.

45 mins: The second half is underway.

Half-time: The half-time whistle goes and it remains scoreless in Enschede after a keenly-contested opening 45 minutes in which both sides had some decent chances to break the deadlock.

A big second half to come - stay with us for updates.

42 mins: Breidablik almost score direct from a corner kick with Megan Plaschko just getting her fingertips to it to keep it out. This is followed by another corner for the Icelandic side which is headed over the bar.

After a positive start for Athlone, Breidablik have gotten on top and Colin Fortune would probably welcome the half-time whistle now to get his players in and give them a chance to regroup.

39 mins: Briedablik come close with a powerful long-distance strike from Bjarnadóttir, which is well-held by Plaschko in the Athlone goal.

37 mins: At the other end, a corner for Briedablik is headed just over. At the risk of stating the obvious, the first goal will be of huge significance in determining the outcome of this game.

35 mins: Two corners in a row for Athlone, but neither came to anything despite good deliveries from Madison Gibson.

31 mins: A few chants of "The Athlone" can be heard from visiting supporters in the Netherlands...

29 mins: Breidablik have been getting on top in the last few minutes and threatened just now as Sam Smith sent a cross into the box which was blasted over the bar by Thorvaldsdóttir. That was the Icelandic side's best chance so far.

25 mins: Breidablik were strong favourites heading into this game, but so far Athlone have acquitted themselves very well and are unfortunate not to be in front. The Icelandic side has been moving the ball well at times, but Athlone had the more clear-cut chances in the game's opening quarter.

21 mins: A chance for Briedablik as the Icelandic champions' captain Heiða Ragney Viðarsdóttir twists and turns in the box before delivering a low shot that was well-saved by Athlone netminder Megan Plaschko.

18 mins: Another good chance for Athlone, as captain Izzy Groves heads wide from a superbly-delivered Madison Gibson corner kick. Breidablik look threatening on the counter attack, so hopefully Athlone won't rue these missed opportunities.

15 mins: Off the post! Athlone couldn't have come closer to opening the scoring just now, as Kelly Brady produced a terrific left-footed shot from outside the box which bounced off the inside of the post. So unlucky.

9 mins: Chance! Athlone produce the best move of the game so far, with Madison Gibson whipping in a dangerous cross for Roisin Molly who was waiting at the edge of the six-yard box. The ball bounced awkwardly, however, and an Icelandic defender got a touch to help avert the danger.

It's been a lively and quite evenly-matched affair so far.

4 mins: We've had a fast start here, with Breidablik attacking from the kick-off and forcing a corner in the opening seconds. Athlone countered well, with Roisin Molloy threatening on the right wing before the attack ultimately petered out.

12pm: And the game is underway....

11.58am: The teams are out on the pitch, with Athlone wearing white shirts and blue shirts, and Breidablik in green.

11.57am: The astro turf surface at Sportpark Schreurserve Enschede should pose no issue for Athlone given that their home games in Lissywollen are played on a similar surface. The weather in Enschede is 23 degrees Celsius. It was cloudy earlier but the sun is breaking through as kick-off approaches.

11.56am: Chloe Singleton of Athlone Town arriving for the game earlier:

11.55am: Athlone's subs bench is as follows: Matthlaou, S. Brennan, Singleton, Browne, Ryan, Mooney, Slevin, Murphy-O'Connor, Donegan, C. O'Neill, Fitzgerald, D. O'Neill.

11.50am: Athlone booked this trip to the continent by defeating Cardiff City 4-0 at home and following it up with a comprehensive 3-0 defeat of Croatian champions ZNK Agram.

Breidablik, who top the Icelandic league, are expected to be a much tougher proposition and Athlone are going into this game as underdogs.

11.45am: A selfie from Athlone Town coach, and Athlone native, Gordon Brett ahead of the big game:

11.35am: Team news: Athlone Town boss Colin Fortune has named a side that's unchanged from Saturday's big 2-1 win at home against Shelbourne in the league last Saturday.

Athlone's starting line-up is as follows: Megan Plaschko, Sarah Rice, Kayleigh Shine, Natalie McNally, Kellie Brennan, Hannah Waesch, Izzy Groves (captain), Alexis Strickland, Madison Gibson, Kelly Brady, Roisin Molloy.

11.30am: Adrian Cusack here, and I'll be bringing you updates over the next couple of hours on a historic occasion for the Athlone Town women's team as they play their third Champions League qualifying game - and the first one away from home - against Icelandic champions Breidablik.

The match is being played in the Dutch city of Enschede, close to the border with Germany. Enschede is the home of FC Twente, who face Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade) in the other semi final of a four-team mini-tournament at this, the second qualifying round stage of Europe's most prestigious club football competition.

Kick-off is at 12 noon Irish time, so continue to refresh this page for updates as they happen.