IT'S not just mums who go to Iceland these days … Motherwell are starting to make a habit of it as well.

The SPFL Premiership runners-up are just a day away from launching this season's Europa League campaign with a second-round qualifier with Urvalsdeild outfit Stjarnan.

It comes four years after the Steelmen last came up against Icelandic opposition, when they overcame Breidablik 2-0 on aggregate to progress through to play Norwegian side Aalesunds.

Stevie Hammell, John Sutton, Bob McHugh and skipper Keith Lasley have been at Fir Park long enough to remember that nervy tie, which hung in the balance for most of the second leg in Kopavogur.

And, on the eve of their next test against Icelanders, the tough nature of that encounter is still fresh in the memory of the Motherwell captain.

"I remember it being a difficult match, to be honest," said Lasley. "It was a first-round qualifier and, at that stage, you probably think you're going to get a team that will be as easy as it can be.

"But I remember it being pretty tough for us. Thankfully we managed to win 1-0 home and away. They were really close encounters, we knew we had been in a game against Breidablik. I expect nothing less tomorrow.

"Stjarnan went through comfortably against Bangor and they are sitting really well in the league.

"Hopefully the experience against an Icelandic team will help the guys who are still here and stand us in good stead for both legs this time."

While the men from the outskirts of Reykjavik are just dipping their toes in European waters for the first time, Well have been making a splash in six out of the last seven seasons.

Euro trips in the mid-90s to play Torshavn, Mypa 47 and, of course, Borussia Dortmund, were beginning to be distant memories until the current generation shook things up in 2008.

Since that initial jaunt across the Channel to play Nancy in the Uefa Cup, Motherwell have gone on to play 18 games against continental opposition - including a Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos - scoring 19 goals in the process.

It's a dream that Lasley admits has become normality for the club which consistently punches above its weight in the Scottish top flight.

"I've lost count," joked the Well captain, when asked how many seasons he has played in Europe. "It's a scary thought being at Motherwell knowing we've played that many European games. It's something we have come to expect which is really weird, to be honest.

"I remember playing Nancy when we first qualified because we hadn't done it for so long, and it was a real special occasion.

"About 2,000/3,000 fans travelled to watch us, which just added to the whole thing.

"Playing in a Champions League qualifier in the Olympic Stadium in Athens against Panathinaikos will always stay with you, too. These are things as a player, certainly at Motherwell, you probably don't think you'll get a chance to do."

Looking ahead to tomorrow night's home leg, Lasley added: "I'm pretty sure they will know they are coming up against a stiffer test than what they had to face before.

"When you go through 8-0 against anyone it breeds confidence, and the fact they are going well in the league will add to that. Being at home the onus will be on us to attack, but we need to be wary of their threat."