Liveblog: CL Qualifying 3 Draw. Enter the Superpowers!

By: Rob | August 1st, 2008

Well today some of the biggest names in Europe enter the Champions League, as the third Qualifying ROund is drawn. Internet Connection allowing, I’m going to be following the draw live on Uefa.com. Its due to start any minute, which if the history of draws means anything, it’ll start in about 15 minutes.

Big names in the hat, including, Juventus, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona, Athletico Madrid, Steaua, Fiorentina, Galatasaray, Rangers, Olympic Marsielle and many more.

11:02 – The Uefa.com site is already struggling. Not a good sign.

11:04 – ah I have it. A man is explaining the rules – no two clubs from the same country, big teams are seeded to give them a giant advantage etc.

11:05 – Athletico Madrid aren’t seeded, which is interesting. They could get a Juve or Fiorentina and could be really interesting.

11:06 – They keep cutting to the chairmen in the crowd who have no fucking idea whats happening.

11:07 – The draw is rubbish. If two teams from the same country get drawn, they are just gonna swap them with the next match. If the last two teams are from the same country, the first match will change.

11:08 – We’re about to KO, only 10 minutes late.

First Draw

Rapid Wien’s Vs Olympiacos
Vitoria Vs Goteborg/Basel
Shakthar Vs Dinamo Zagreb (who are 3-0 so are going through)
Schalke, last years QF Vs Athletico Madrid! – Massive game! Should be fun.
Aalborg or Modrica vs Rangers or Kaunus
Levski Sofia Vs Andelect
Barca! Barca are out. Barcelona Vs Beitar Jeruselam or Wisla Krakow
Standard Vs Liverpool. – Tricky tie for the English side, but away first which they’ll like.
Inter Baku or FK Partizan Vs Fenerbache or Budapest. Last years QF have a trickyish tie.
FC Twente Vs Arsenal – oh meant to be. Steve McClaren will return to the Prem.
Spartack Moscow Vs Dynamo Kiev or Drogeba – Could be Russia Vs Ukraine there.
Juventus. Juve will play Tampere United or Artmedia
FC Brann or Ventsiplis Vs Marseille. OM have a likely trip to norway.
Fiorentina Vs Slavia Prague. Big game there to, though Fiorentina should get through.
Galatasaray Vs Steaua. Big match, controversy ahoy.
Panathianikos/Dinamo Tiblisi Vs Sheriff Sparta

And thats it!

Big picks, are Steve McClaren taking on Arsenal, don’t expect a good reception for him. Fiorentina vs Slavia should be good, and of course Athletico Madrid Vs Schalke, last years QF’s. Should be really good.