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Rubin Kazan vs Barcelona (Nov-04) |
The UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious Football Club Competition in Europe and arguably on this planet. It brings together the top 76 European football clubs for qualification of this prestigious tournament. A total of 32 European Clubs will compete in this tournament at the Group stage. Initially, 22 Football Clubs receive direct group stage qualification. The remaining 10 teams are required to advance through either a four-round qualifying tournament or a two-round qualifying tournament based on their UEFA co-efficient.
Qualification spans from mid July until mid August. Once the final 32 teams are determined, the football clubs are lumped into 8 groups of 4 teams. The top 2 teams from each group advance to the Round of 16, which begins with a knockout round. 1st placed teams from each group will play against 2nd placed teams from other groups in a home and away match. The winners then advance to the quarterfinals. UEFA matches up the teams with a random no rules draw. The competition continues into the following year until May where a one match final takes place in the successful host city which for 2009-2010.
Real Madrid is the most successful club in UEFA Champion's League history having won it a record 9 times. Coincidentally, the 2009-2010 Final will take place in Real Madrid's home field at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.