by Matthew Adams

Created on: May 21, 2009   Last Updated: June 06, 2010

The Uefa Champions League (formerly European Cup) is Europe's best club contest, including Europe's top league finishers. It has some of the best teams and players in the world.

Previously referred to as the European Cup, a knock-out cup, a group stage was added. As such, it is now called the Champions League. Also worth nothing, it was originally just for champions of European leagues, but now no longer since expanding to 32 teams.

So the Champions League has 32 teams overall, which are drawn into eight groups of four (with seeding). These teams then play home and away, with the usual three points for win and one for draw. The top two teams from these groups then qualify for a knock out stage. There is also a provision for 3rd place teams to play in the Uefa Cup.

The knock-out stage then has four rounds including the final. Teams play each other on a home and away basis, with the scores for both games added for a total score. As such, it is possible to lose games here and still progress. Also worth noting, if the tie is tied then away goals can be used to decide it. For example the games are drawn 0-0 and 2-2, then the team that drew away from home goes through. So, it counts as an extra goal in this case. At any rate, if the away goals are also level then the tie goes to extra time and penalties.

The only exception is the Champions League final, which is one game only. Here, the final is played and decided by extra time and penalties if necessary. There is no final replay. Then when the final is won the Champions League trophy, which is the same used for European Cup, is then lifted.

Qualification for the Champions League is not just for league champions. Since expanding, up to four teams from Europe's best leagues can qualify for the event by finishing in the top four places. However, the lower placed teams enter preliminary play-off qualification along with some of Europe's weaker sides required to pre-qualify. Noting that this really is applicable to Europe's strongest leagues, and weaker leagues have more limited qualification places.

As such, up to 12 teams from England, Spain & Italy can make the Champions League with the Germans and French, also providing a good number of teams. To an extent, those clubs tend to dominate the Champions League, with the likes of Barcelona, Liverpool and AC-Milan reaching the later stages often. Rarely, will a Scottish or Denmark club team make an impact. These teams have some great players. Hardly limited to Europeans, great Brazilians and Argentina players will undoubtedly feature for the top clubs, along with the best players of Europe like Henry and Ronaldo.

Generally, the soccer played can be cagey and tactical. However, it can also be more open in some games. European soccer can be defensive, but then great forwards can always score goals.

For me, the teams to watch are Barcelona, Manchester Utd, AC-Milan, Real Madrid, and Liverpool who have had some very exciting teams and have excellent records. Great games have been played between these teams. You will also find their stadiums to be large, and up to 80,000 seats.

To many, the Champions League is comparable with the World Cup. For Europe's club teams are amongst the best in the world. Overall, it is football's best club contest.

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