The draw for the last 32 of the Bulgarian Cup has set up a possible clash between OFC Nesebar and CSKA Sofia, the trophy holders. It would happen if Nesebar beats Rodopa Smolyan.

If the young Nesebar side, coached by Miroslav Kosev, get past that first hurdle, the "Reds" would have to travel to Nesebar. That round is set for October 17-18, and under the rules top-flight clubs must play away. But before any of that, the "Blues" from Nesebar face a much tougher task first: a trip to Smolyan to face Rodopa in the preliminary round on October 3.

For Nesebar, a match like that would be a huge reward at the start of a season that began with far more modest hopes. The club returned to professional football just a year after being relegated. Its first goal was simply to settle into the Second League, not to get dragged into a relegation fight. Instead, after 10 rounds, Nesebar sit fifth and have their eyes on the top spots, with the gap between the leading teams still small. Their latest show of confidence came with a dramatic 4-3 win over recently relegated Beroe, sealed by a goal right at the end of the match.

Kosev's results stand out even more given the squad he has to work with, made up largely of players still finding their feet in professional football. Regulars in the side include players aged 19, 21, 22 and 23, with that young core backed up by a handful of more experienced players. Captain Plamen Dimov is the most experienced of the lot, with spells at Levski, Botev Plovdiv, Cherno More, Etar and clubs abroad behind him. That mix of youthful energy and a small group of seasoned players is one of the team's defining features.

A possible tie against CSKA, a club in a completely different league, would carry huge weight. The "Reds" begin the defense of their Bulgarian Cup title against the winner of the Rodopa-Nesebar tie, which makes the game in Smolyan effectively the gateway to the biggest home fixture of the season for Nesebar. For Kosev's young players, it would be a rare chance to test themselves against one of the country's most decorated clubs in front of their own fans. But before that dream can happen, they have to get past Rodopa, and with just one match in the round, there is no room for a second chance.

The draw also threw up interesting chances for the other clubs from Burgas province. Chernomorets 1919 will travel to face Volov Shumen, and if they win, the "sharks" would host Botev Plovdiv in the last 32. That is a solid first step for the Burgas side, who are also having a strong season in the Second League and sit just behind the leaders. A win in Shumen would bring a top-flight opponent to Burgas and give local fans another big football match this autumn.

Neftohimik, meanwhile, will play at home against Sportist Svoge and also have a real chance of reaching the next stage of the tournament. If the "sheikhs" get past their Second League opponents, their next visitors in the competition would be CSKA 1948.