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13.07.2008 11:36
The 2008-09 Champions League begins
Jesús Carrillo
On the 15th and 16th, the 2008-09 Champions League begins with the first knock-out stage for access to the first group stage. A total of 14 games will be played by teams with the lowest UEFA ranking.
28 teams will be trying to get to the second knock-out stage of the top European tournament. Among these are the historic Swedish side IFK Götenburg, who were Barça’s rivals in the 1985-86 European Cup semi-finals, as well as Artmedia Bratislava, who reached the group stage three years ago.
More modest leagues
This first phase involves teams from national leagues which UEFA consider to be more humble, such as those of Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Moldavia, Azerbaijan, Montenegro, Belarus, Armenia, Island, Estonia, the Faeroe Isles and Macedonia.
It is unlikely that any of these teams could become Barça’s rivals in the group stage, but it might happen if they get a good draw in the second knock-out stage, when teams from theoretically stronger leagues enter, such as Romania, Serbia, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Ukraine, Scotland and Sweden.
Andorra represented
Andorran football will be represented in the first stage; with Andorran champions Santa Coloma
facing Lithuanian champions Kaunas. Whilst in the past, Andorran teams have played in the UEFA Cup
knock-out stages, Santa Coloma’s presence marks the first time that an Andorran side has been
involved in the top European competition.
