The Challenge of Europe Uefa Cup
Everton were paired with Dinamo Bucuresti (Dynamo Bucharest). The tie was played over two legs in September (15th & 29th), but Everton suffered a humiliating defeat in 5-1 in Bucharest, earning a belated aand largly pyrrhic victory with home advantage for the second leg. They failed to join the winners of the other 39 ties, who went on to the group stage, and the European dream turned into a nightmare. Group stage Knock-out format Champions' League Everton started off in the Third Qualifying Round that precedes the Group Stages of the so-called Champions' League proper. (And it is "so-called" because the competition has been weakened to include many teams that are NOT current Champions of their respective domestic leagues... but we won't dwell on that one!) Third Qualifying Round The Third Qualifying Round paired Everton against Villarreal from Spain, who finished third in La Liga, based on the complex seeding system used by Uefa. This is the full draw, with seeded teams shown in bold, and the side drawn first in each case playing the first leg at home:
Although Manchester United were seeded, they were not allowed to play against Everton due to the "same country" protection clause. This protection however, would not have prevented a Liverpool-Everton tie, assuming Liverpool get through against FBK Kaunas. Any of the *minnows beating their more reknowned opponents effectively adopt the seeded status of their opponents, since the draw for the Third Qualifying Round has been made before the Second Qualifying Round games are complete (this is Uefa, so no surprise there!). The first-leg matches was played on Tuesday or Wednesday, 9/10 August 2005; the return legs will be played on Tuesday or Wednesday, 23/24 August 2005.
Although a number of Evertonians are fearful of facing a skilled team like Villarreal, they are a relatively modest club with some good players who had a marvellous season in a Spanish league, which is not quite what it was four or five years ago. El Madrigal is a tiny ground that, while conducive to a good atmosphere, is not likely to scare anyone. It's not like going to the Mestalla. And Diego Forlan was a flop in the English game; although he has been successful for Uruguay and in Spain, he is hardly a player of whom we should be quaking in fear. Riquelme is a different matter, but he's slow and ponderous and can be harried out of it by a busy midfield — like the one we happen to possess. We can intimidate them to a degree at Goodison in the first leg and give ourselves a platform for the tough second leg. They are a good side, but do not possess the tradition and long-term European pedigree of a Werder Bremen / Sporting Lisbon / Ajax, which makes it a relatively even draw in many ways. But many are likely to view it as a tough draw and list Villarreal as favourites, which will suite Davie Moyes and his perennial underdogs just fine. More information on Villarreal at these links:
The first leg of the Second Qualifying Round ties were played in late July and early August 2005:
For teams in First Round of the Champions League group stages, who come third in their group, they will drop down to the Uefa Cup and join the groups of 4. There is no such parachute for those finishing fourth in the CL groups. It's a knockout of the Group winners thereafter. Deadlines for signing new players Champions League:- See http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/19071.pdf
Note: There are also additional rules concerning subsequent registration for the knock-out rounds, where the deadline is 1 Feb 2006. UEFA Cup:- See http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/19070.pdf
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