Basically now, every team in qualifying has been separated into two draws the “Champions Path” and the rest. Importantly, they can’t play one another and have been split up. On the Champions Side, the teams that are ranked lowest go in from the first qualifying round and have to fight through four rounds to reach the CL group stage. The slightly better ones are in the Second qualifying round, and the ones UEFA thinks a neutral might watch are in the third qualifying round. Those that win their third quali rounds are entered into a play off against each other and the winners get to the first round proper.

Still with me? Well its basically the same for the Non-Champions, except their draw is less long winded, and the bigger sides are chucked straight into the Playoff round. But, this time they can play each other there, and so we’ll see some mouthwatering matches in the Qaulifying play off round, with Arsenal, Stuttgart, Fiorentina, Atletico Madrid and Lyon all certainly in the draw, and a few others to join them.

Draw after the jump.

So here are the draws as they stand.

The Best of the Rest draw

1 AC Sparta Praha (CZE) v Panathinaikos FC (GRE)
2 FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) v FC Timişoara (ROU)
3 Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR) v FC Twente (NED)
4 Celtic FC (SCO) v FC Dinamo Moskva (RUS)
5 RSC Anderlecht (BEL) v Sivasspor (TUR)

So whoever wins those games, gets to go in the draw with Fiorentina, Arsenal, Lyon etc. The big two matches there that I can see are 3 and 4, with Steve McLaren’s Twente taking on Sporting Lisbon, and Celtic with a tricky Russian tie.

Meanwhile the Champions Path, which still has a bit of a way to go, now looks like this

1 FC Salzburg (AUT) – Bohemian FC (IRL) v FC Pyunik (ARM) – NK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)
2 NK Zrinjski (BIH) – ŠK Slovan Bratislava (SVK) v Olympiacos CFP (GRE)
3 FC Zürich (SUI) v FC WIT Georgia (GEO) – NK Maribor (SVN)
4 EB/Streymur (FRO) – APOEL FC (CYP) v Rhyl FC (WAL) – FK Partizan (SRB)
5 FC International Turku (FIN) – FC Sheriff (MDA) v SK Slavia Praha (CZE)
6 FH Hafnarfjördur (ISL) – FK Aktobe (KAZ) v Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR) – Glentoran FC (NIR)
7 FK Ekranas (LTU) – FK Bakı (AZE) v PFC Levski Sofia (BUL) – UE Sant Julià (AND)
8 FK Ventspils (LVA) – F91 Dudelange (LUX) v FK Makedonija Skopje (MKD) – FC BATE Borisov (BLR)
9 Wisla Kraków (POL) – Levadia Tallinn (EST) v Debreceni VSC (HUN) – Kalmar FF (SWE)
10 FC København (DEN) – FK Mogren (MNE) v KF Tirana (ALB) – Stabæk IF (NOR)

Excitingly, some of them teams is going to make the Champions League, which not only could cause some upsets, but is only going to improve the quality of their football.

Anyway, I actually quite like the new system, once you get your head round it. Certainly makes the group stage a little less obviously exciting, with a bunch of big names missing out, but at least it should mix it up so that each year looks a little different from the last.

Juventus and Barcelona both go into thier second legs with 4-0 wins and are comfortably through really. Arsenal carry a 2-0 lead against Steve McClaren’s FC Twente, and I don’t see it being overturned. Fiorentina have a tricky game but also a 2-0 lead, which should see them through.

Despite doing so well last year though, Fenerbahce aren’t guarenteed of the group stage this time. They go into thier second leg with Partizan with a 2-2 draw at Half Time. Schalke’s tie with Athletico Madrid is still interesting with the Germans holding a slim 1-0 lead. Liverpool stuttered to a draw with Standard Leige, and will hope that Anfield will raise thier spirits enough to see them through.

In the biggest match of the round, Schalke finished with a narrow 1-0 win over Spanish Athletico Madrid. Liverpool could only manage a 0-0 against Standard and were outplayed, but the same could not be said of Barca and Juve who both eased to 4-0 wins. Arsenal wiped the smug grin off Steve McClaren’s face with a 2-0 win against his Twente. The old USSR derby finished incedibly one sided, Fiorentina seemed impressive, and Fener and Partizan shared a 2-2 draw. Full results after the jump. Reverse fixtures will be played the 27th of August.

Anorthosis Famagusta 3-0 Olympiacos
Vitória Guimarães 0-0 Basel
Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 Dinamo Zagreb
Schalke 04 1-0 Atlético Madrid
Aalborg BK 2-0 Kaunas
Barcelona 4-0 Wisła Kraków
Levski Sofia 0-1 BATE
Standard Liège 0-0 Liverpool
Partizan 2-2 Fenerbahçe
Twente 0-2 Arsenal
Spartak Moscow 1-4 Dynamo Kyiv
Juventus 4-0 Artmedia Petržalka
Brann 0-1 Marseille
Fiorentina 2-0 Slavia Prague
Galatasaray 2-2 Steaua Bucureşti
Sparta Prague 1-2 Panathinaikos

OK we should be go pretty soon. I should also say that a full roundup of the Quali round will come either after FT or tomorrow morning.

So here we go.

8:00 – Looking forward to this. Liverpool obviously always good in Europe. I had a bit of a run in with the Liverpool Offside last season when i said Steven Gerrard was a bit of a diver, but I would like to say there’s no hard feelings.

8:02 – Adventurus from Rafa, Gerrard not risked, but 442, with both Keane and Torres. Which is quite exciting.

8:05 – We’re on! Woo the season has started!

8:10 – Electricity was lost in my house. Don’t think I missed much though.

8:12 – According to Robbie Earle, ex-Wimbledon and ITV commentator, Robbie Keane is playing the Gerrard role

8:13 – Standard have scored! no wait, it didn’t cross the line! FK came in, free header, came off the inside of the post, and bounces away. Close Shave for Liverpool.

8:16 – Penalty! Cross-shot charged down and handball given, but it looked like it was outside the box.

8:17 – Reina saves the Pen! Liverpool holding on by the skin of thier teeth. Justice done probably.

- Awful pen too by the way.

8:22 – Really lively game, end to end, Standard really holding thier own.

8:24 – Clever ball in for Standard, but Offside called. Liverpool on the ropes.

8: 25 – Liverpool get a FK from what i thought was a good challenge. Cross from Alonso is headed away.

8:27 – Carra beaten in the air again. Confident play from Standard.

8: 28 – Impressed with Dalmat the wideman for Standard. Good player on the ball.

8:29 – Good passing from Standard, eventually intercepted. Good break from Liverpool but Torres and Keane not quite clicking yet.

8:30 – This will give you some idea of how well Standard are playing, Liverpool are just passing the ball around the defence, to slow the game up a bit.

8:40 – My bank just phoned me so i missed the last ten minutes. Hope nothing massive happened.

8:41 – Daniel Agger’s shirt is ripped from something. Possibly not the best Adidas advert ever.

8:43 – Xavi Alonso curled in a FK, but it ends up over the bar.

8:45 – According to ITV’s commentators, Liverpool “came to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, but Rambo is showing”. Me either.

8:47 – Clash of heads in the middle of the pitch, looks nasty. Both are ok.

8:49 – Alonso bends in another FK, headed away at the far post.

8:50 – I assume we’ll see Gerrard at some stage 100% or not.

8: 52 – HALF TIME – Liverpool on the ropes really. Loads to think about though, the pen, the goal that nearly was, good call from ITV to have this one.

I’m gonna change to minutes from the time after half time, just to mess you all up. And because it makes more sense.

Looking at the big descions – the ball didn’t cross the line, and the pen was outside the box. Apparently Liverpool had a penalty shout, where it hit the wall, but I’m not sure about that one either.

If your wondering about other games – Dyanmo Kiev beat Spartak Moscow 4-1, Shaktar beat Dynamo Zagreb 2-0, Olympiakos lost 3-0. Shalke are 1-0 at Athletico, Arsenal are 1-0 against Steve McClaren’s Twente, Juve are 3-0 up and Fener are 2-1 down.

45 – Kick off again. Commentators are prematurely comparing Keane and Torres to all the great Liverpool strike pairings of the past.

46 – New tactic for this season. Cross came in from Standard, and Reina came, Agger jumped into him and Reina got the FK as he was impeeded.

49 – Barca have gone 2-0 up against Wisla Krakow

50 – Liverpool undone twice by Standard, a good cut back from the byline, but the strike was poor, then from the clearance, a long ball came in and a skuffed shot lets Liverpool off the hook.

52 – Standard look good but you do feel that they have to score tonight, Liverpool are always better at Anfield.

53 – Cute thru ball from Standard, but Offside.

54 – Liverpool pretty much resorted to long balls to Torres and Keane. They miss Crouchy already. I have Peter Crouch on Facebook.

54 – Galatasaray vs Steaua finished 2-2.

55 – Torres and Keane fail to link up properly, a shame, Liverpool had a good break.

58 – Lots of shots of the crowd. Gives you some idea.

59 – Torres shot from 30 yards. Way Wide.

60 – Arsenal are Two up. Bye bye Steve McClaren.

61 – Venom filled shot, hits Alonso and bounces wide.

63 – Sammy Lee talking with Stevie G. Might see him soon.

64 – Carra looks absolute knackered. Just had to chase down another through ball.

65 – Brilliant chance for Standard! Beatifully floated in ball from Dante and headed just wide. Should have got it on target.

66 – Robbie Keane had a chance, but wouldn’t fall to him.

67 – Gerrard on, Keane off. Not the best day for Robbie Keane. I can’t remember if he ever found a teammate with a pass.

68 – Ball hits Carra in the box, but not given. Pens aren’t ever given against Cara are they
- It was his head though. He thought about handeling it but headed it instead. Good call from the ref.

70 – Long shot from Alonso 5 yards outside the box, wide. Late challenge on him though gives Liverpool a FK. Gerrard can hit these, with his unorthadox style.
- Good effort from Gerrard, just over.

72 – Good defending from Cara from another through ball. Arsenal have finished 2-0 up.
73 – Another super diagonal ball from Dantes, leaves Reina in no mans land, but cleared by Agger.

74 – Alonso down with a bit of a dead leg.

75 – Great ball from Gerrard, Banayoun offside. He wasn’t though.

77 – Standard have created some good stuff, but just lacking that final bit of quality in the box. If Liverpool were playing a top side, they’d be a few down I think.

81 – Game has slowed up a bit

83 – Standard could easily have a penalty there, big push in the box not near the ball.

84 – Oh yeah, Torres is playing! He just got chopped down.

86 – Dante has been the star for Standard, really running the show in midfield.

88 – Standard really could do with a goal to go to Anfield with, otherwise its a bit uphill.

89 – Liverpool have a FK about 30 yards out. Will Gerrard be the hero here?
- Pretty much right at the keeper from Gerrard.

90 – Good cross in from Standard, no one could get on the end of it.

Full Time. All over. 0-0. Standard the better side, but no advantage going into the second leg, but alot of confidence. Hangs in the balance.

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.

Rangers 0-0 Kaunas
Brann 1-0 Ventspils
Inter Baku 1-1 Partizan
Tampere United 1-3 Artmedia Petržalka
Anorthosis Famagusta 3-0 Rapid Wien
Domžale 0-3 Dinamo Zagreb
Panathinaikos 3-0 Dinamo Tbilisi
IFK Göteborg 1-1 Basel
Sheriff Tiraspol 0-1 Sparta Prague
Drogheda United 1-2 Dynamo Kyiv
Anderlecht 1-2 BATE
Beitar Jerusalem 2-1 Wisła Kraków
Fenerbahçe 2-0 MTK Hungária
Aalborg BK 5-0 Modriča

Linfield 1–3 Dinamo Zagreb (0–2, 1–1)
Valletta 0–3 Artmedia Petržalka (0–2, 0–1)
Dinamo Tbilisi 3–1 NSÍ Runavík (3–0, 0–1)
Santa Coloma 2–7 Kaunas (1–4, 1–3)
Murata 0–9 IFK Göteborg (0–5, 0–4)
Llanelli 1–4 Ventspils (1–0, 0–4)
Anorthosis Famagusta 3–0 Pyunik Yerevan (1–0, 2–0)
Inter Baku (a)1–1 Rabotnički (0–0, 1–1)
Tampere United 3–2 Budućnost (2–1, 1–1)
F91 Dudelange 0–3 Domžale (0–1, 0–2)
Dinamo Tirana 1–4 Modriča (0–2, 1–2)
Aktobe 1–4 Sheriff Tiraspol (1–0, 0–4)
Drogheda United 3–1 Levadia (2–1, 1–0)
BATE 3–0 Valur (2–0, 1–0)

Second Qualifying Round Fixtures

Rangers V Kaunas
Brann V Ventspils
Inter Baku V Partizan
Tampere United V Artmedia Petržalka
Anorthosis Famagusta V Rapid Wien
Domžale V Dinamo Zagreb
Panathinaikos V Dinamo Tbilisi
IFK Göteborg V Basel
Sheriff Tiraspol V Sparta Prague
Drogheda United V Dynamo Kyiv
Anderlecht V BATE
Beitar Jerusalem V Wisła Kraków
Fenerbahçe V MTK Hungária
Aalborg BK V Modriča

Picks of the round are One-time Champions League finalists Panathinaikos taking on Dinamo Tbilisi, and Goteborg who hammered thier way through the first qualifying round, coming against the tougher Basel.

Games will be played on the 29 and 30 of July, and the the second legs on the 5 and 6 of August.

Linfield 0-2 Dinamo Zagreb
Valletta 0-2 Artmedia Petržalka
Dinamo Tbilisi 3-0 NSÍ Runavík
Santa Coloma 1-4 Kaunas
Murata 0-5 IFK Göteborg
Llanelli 1-0 Ventspils
Anorthosis Famagusta 1-0 Pyunik Yerevan
Inter Baku 0-0 Rabotnički
Tampere United 2-1 Budućnost
F91 Dudelange 0-1 Domžale
Dinamo Tirana 0-2 Modriča
Aktobe 1-0 Sheriff Tiraspol
Drogheda United 2-1 Levadia
BATE 2-0 Valur

Quiz answers will also be very up shortly in the comments thread of there.

1. Which UEFA member enters no teams into the Champions League, as it in fact has no club teams?

2. Liverpool, and which other side went through all three rounds of qualifying in 2005/6 to reach the Champions League group stage?

3. Since the advent of the group stage, which side has won the Champions League the most times, including once from the qualifying round?

4. Alania Vladikavkaz were beaten spectacularly at this stage back in 1996/7 10-3, over two legs. Who beat them?

5. In the 1995/6 Qualifying Round (it was singular then), Dynamo Kiev won thier match, but thier opponents Aaolborg replaced them in the Group Stage, Why?

6. Lyon suffered a shock defeat against which side from Slovenia in the 1999-2000 Qualifying Round?

7. True or False: The Qualifying Section is being rebranded next year, so that the Champions of small countries and runners up in big countries are kept apart to make the competition fairer.

8. How many teams took part in the 1992/3 season Qualifying Round?

9. B68 Toftir are the least successful team in the history of Champions League qualfying, who did they loose to on thier only appearence in the tournament?

10. IFK Goteborg have won thier early kick off in the first leg of the Champions League qualifying this season. By what score?

All of it is just a lesson in jumping the gun. Basically after Steaua were accused of bribary, they were docked six points and fined, and kicked out the Champions League. But all those involved denied any wrongdoing, and now are proved innocent.

Steaua’s owner Gigi Becali had previously had a two year ban from entering a football stadium, which has now been scrapped, as has his player Petre Marin’s six month ban.

Steaua will enter the Third Qualifying Round of the Champions League. CSKA Sofia must now be sat wondering if they might be let back in as well – although they were kicked out for debt problems, which are a bit harder to prove wrong really.