The european planning starts on Friday
Last updated : 25 August 2008 By Firparkcorner
This European affair happens so rarely that there is no doubt it is a big event. If anyone still owns a hard copy atlas no doubt it will be dusted off in preparation for the away leg but more likely the Google and Easyjet websites will be taking a hammering from Lanarkshire IP addresses.
The draw takes place in Monaco at 1300 CET, high noon in Britain, with 40 seeds and 40 others being drawn out of the glass bowls. However for reasons known only to themselves, UEFA to not have one simple draw but instead create eight groups of ten (5 seeds, 5 others) which are then drawn against each other. Accordingly we will know our opponents will be one from five by early on Friday morning.
There are several glamorous teams in the first round already, with the likes of AC Milan, Ajax and Valencia topping the list. Other European Cup winners include Aston Villa, Feyenoord, Benfica and HSV (Hamburg).
While there are some places that would be easy to get to and others more difficult, the nightmare would surely be Russia or the Ukraine. With a visa and small mortgage required for the former and the massive travelling distance to the latter, many fans would be put off from making the journey. On the other hand, we probably wouldn't want a jaunt just over the border to England either!
It is unlikely that Queen of the South will make it into the first round proper having lost their preliminary home leg but the results of the mid-week games are still worth watching. The likes of VfB Stuttgart, Copenhagen, Napoli and Deportivo La Coruna could all make it although relatively big fish AEK Athens and Manchester City are struggling after losing their first legs.
The losers from the Champions League will also drop into our competition and along with potential enjoyable trips to Prague and Krakow, it throws up another possible trip to Moscow. And whoever doesn't progress from Schalke v Atletico Madrid fixture will definitely be capable of making a big impression in the UEFA.
We will be out to enjoy the experience of European football but we do want to progress. Rosenberg, Braga or Austria Vienna would all seem beatable and we could even spring a shock on an unsuspecting giant. On Friday afternoon, live on Eurosport, we will know exactly what task awaits us.
