Champions League, group stage

[bandl]

Anyone know when the Group Stage match-ups and schedules will be announced?

I'm going to be in Portugal over on Matchday 2 of the group stage, so I may get to see FC Porto, Sporting Lisbon or Benfica. xnodx

I'll also be in Portugal for the First Round, 2nd Leg of the UEFA Cup. xthumbsupx Don't know which teams will qualify though.

[TheValleyRaider]

Group stages will be announced presumably after the end of the 3rd qualifying round, which finishes next week. Actually, just reading the UEFA website, it says the draw will be on 30/08/07, so next Thursday.

Porto and Sporting are already in the Group Stage, and Benfica holds a 2-1 lead over Copenhagen going on the road for the second leg on the 29th. In the UEFA Cup, Leiria is 0-0 after the first match with Israeli club Maccabi Netanya. Leiria and Benfica would be your only bets for UEFA Cup matches, but that's assuming either of them gets to that point.

[bandl]

Group stages will be announced presumably after the end of the 3rd qualifying round, which finishes next week. Actually, just reading the UEFA website, it says the draw will be on 30/08/07, so next Thursday.

Porto and Sporting are already in the Group Stage, and Benfica holds a 2-1 lead over Copenhagen going on the road for the second leg on the 29th. In the UEFA Cup, Leiria is 0-0 after the first match with Israeli club Maccabi Netanya. Leiria and Benfica would be your only bets for UEFA Cup matches, but that's assuming either of them gets to that point.

Thank you sir!! xthumbsupx

Obviously, I'd MUCH rather see a CL match than a UEFA match. But I'll take what I can get. I'll have about a month to find tix online once the match ups are announced.

[TheValleyRaider]

For your edification, in Portugal on Matchday 2:

Benfica - Shakhtar Donestk (UKR), on Oct. 3

Porto and Sporting are on the road

Leiria also advanced to the First Round of the UEFA Cup, but they haven't had the draw for that yet.

[Grizalltheway]

The complete group stage draw:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=457762&cc=5901

My beloved Munich Reds didn't qualify, so it's UEFA Cup for me. xbawlingx xnonono2x xnonono2x

[TheValleyRaider]

The complete group stage draw:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=457762&cc=5901

My beloved Munich Reds didn't qualify, so it's UEFA Cup for me. xbawlingx xnonono2x xnonono2x

It's probably better for the survival of the UEFA Cup if one of the mega-clubs in Europe really competes and does well in it. Increases the profile and interest. Too bad for you though, that it's Bayern.

[TheValleyRaider]

Suppose I should also mention the Arsenal, who were seeded this year.

Group H
Arsenal
Sevilla (ESP) or AEK Athens (GRE) (2nd leg postponed after tragic death of Sevilla player)
Steaua Bucharest (ROM)
Slavia Prague (CZE) (after beating Sparta Prague in the 3rd Qualifying Round)

Sevilla is the 2-time defending UEFA Cup Champions, last in the UCL in
AEK Athens last made the Champions League in 2003, drawing all 6 of their Group Stage matches
Steaua is making their 2nd straight appearance in the UCL, finishing 3rd in their group last year behind Lyon and Real Madrid. They won the Champions Cup in 1986
Slavia is making thier 1st appearance in the Group Stages, losing in the 3rd Qualifying Round 5 times previously, including last year

GO GET 'EM YOU GUNNERS! xhurrayx

[Peems]

Group C and D look like some good groups to me, just through skimming.

[Grizalltheway]

Group E is the group of death, imo. Two champions in Stuttgart and Lyon, and Barca were very close to winning La Liga last year.

[bandl]

xhurrayx PSV xhurrayx PSV xhurrayx PSV xhurrayx

PSV has a pretty easy draw this season, Inter being their only real competition. I don't see Moskva or Fener putting up much of a fight.

And if things work out okay, I'll get to see Benfica/Shakhtar in Lisbon on October 3rd!!! xthumbsupx

[bandl]

The complete group stage draw:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=457762&cc=5901

My beloved Munich Reds didn't qualify, so it's UEFA Cup for me. xbawlingx xnonono2x xnonono2x

GATW....you're gonna love this.

Bayern is at Belenense on October 4th. Belenense plays in Lisbon...and I'll be there! xnodx xnodx Looking around for tix right now. xreadx

[TheValleyRaider]

xhurrayx PSV xhurrayx PSV xhurrayx PSV xhurrayx

PSV has a pretty easy draw this season, Inter being their only real competition. I don't see Moskva or Fener putting up much of a fight.

And if things work out okay, I'll get to see Benfica/Shakhtar in Lisbon on October 3rd!!! xthumbsupx

I don't know about Fener, but don't underestimate CSKA. Moscow is a tough place to visit, and they're a smart, disciplined team. If they're on top of their game, PSV will have to beat them, they won't make many mistakes.

[bandl]

I don't know about Fener, but don't underestimate CSKA. Moscow is a tough place to visit, and they're a smart, disciplined team. If they're on top of their game, PSV will have to beat them, they won't make many mistakes.

PSV has already won in Moscow this season, beating both Real Madrid and AC Milan this month! xthumbsupx And I don't think PSV will overlook any opponent in the CL, Koeman does a very good job getting his players ready for the match at hand. xnodx

[Grizalltheway]

GATW....you're gonna love this.

Bayern is at Belenense on October 4th. Belenense plays in Lisbon...and I'll be there! xnodx xnodx Looking around for tix right now. xreadx

YOU B*STARD!! xsmiley_wix

That should be a fun game, although the way Bayern are playing so far, it may be over by halftime.

With any luck I'll be seeing them in the spring. xnodx

[bandl]

YOU B*STARD!! xsmiley_wix

That should be a fun game, although the way Bayern are playing so far, it may be over by halftime.

With any luck I'll be seeing them in the spring. xnodx

I'll be sure to let you know if they are worth seeing... ;)

[flea]

gonna be some good games. Liverpool traveling to Besiktas aren't they? Thats a tough place to play