UEFA Competition Draws Released, Assume the Position

By: Greg | August 1st, 2008

I understand that monster clubs like Barcelona, Arsenal, and Liverpool are actually involved in the third qualifying round for the Champions League this year. I know that they’re easily super odds-on favorites to make it to the group stages. However, a quick glance at the majority of teams involved in these rounds tells you one thing: they’re going to be taking quite the ass whipping if they make it to the group stages alive.

Therefore, while there is a great amount of money and prestige that comes to teams that simply qualify, for me these competitions don’t take on any serious meaning until the best of the best are involved. In the same vein, far be it from me to deny Portuguese teams their recognition, so it is my blog-given obligation to point out that last year’s surprise third place finishers Vitória Guimarães will be facing off against either IFK Göteborg of Sweden or FC Basel 1893 of Switzerland in the third qualifying round for the Champions League. The winner of the home and away playoff will then be thrown to the wolves and pray for a third place group finish in the Champions League so they lose at some stage to AC Milan in this year’s UEFA Cup.

Braga were also involved in UEFA draw proceedings today. Their Intertoto Cup win slid them into the second qualifying round draw for the ~~runner up~~ UEFA Cup. They found out that they have to deal with NK Zrinjski, a side that finished fourth in this past season’s top flight of Bosnia-Herzegovinian football. I’ve cleared my schedule for August 14th and 28th for these can’t miss ties. Maybe you’ll join me in watching these matches and double the television audience for the encounters by becoming the second non-lobotomized person watching via the tube.

Somebody wake me when these teams are having their asses handed to them by either Scolari and Co or Ronaldinho. Until then, enjoy your weekend. I get to grill for my six-year-old nephew’s pool party tomorrow, so even if you’re in prison on “kitchen detail” tossing salad or catching a disease like malaria, I guarantee you’re having a better weekend than me. Enjoy it.