The International Ice Hockey Federation has chosen Superleague champions Belfast Giants to host the third round of this season's Continental Cup.

The 7,500-seat Odyssey Arena has staged the last two Challenge Cup finals and now it has been rewarded with a first taste of competitive European action.

Belfast, who won the league by 21 points, have been seeded into the third round - to be played between 22/24 November - when they meet Norwegian side Valerenga and the winners of two second-round groups.

Ayr Scottish Eagles are also in Europe's prime club competition having beaten Belfast at the Odyssey Arena in the Challenge Cup final in March.

They return to Europe for the first time since the 1998/99 campaign, which followed their Grand Slam success.

Ayr enter in the second round, played between 18/20 October, when they travel to Rouen in France to compete with HC Rouen, Storhamar Dragons of Norway and the winner from Group A.