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.
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. 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 Europa League.
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.
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.
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