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| Tuesday, 09 June 2009 16:53 |
Sporting face challenging route into Champions LeagueLions must battle through two qualifying rounds Sporting finished the season in second place for the fourth successive year in Portugal, thus making it into the Champions League again. However, unlike in the previous three years, the runners-up spot does not entitle Sporting to enter the group stage direct, and the Lions may have to overcome the likes of Fiorentina, Atletico Madrid or Celtic to reach the competition proper.
Portugal’s lower position in country coefficients, together with changes to the qualification process, means that Sporting will have to get through two qualifying rounds to make sure they are included in the draw for the 2009/2010 Champions League groups at the end of August. Paulo Bento’s team first play the 3rd qualifying round on 28/29 July (1st leg) and 4/5 August (2nd leg). The fact they will be seeded means they will meet a weaker team (at least theoretically) at this stage. Possible adversaries are Sparta Prague (Czech Republic), Dynamo Bucharest (Romania), Twente (Holland), Dynamo Moscow (Russia) and Sivasspor (Turkey). Should Sporting surpass that hurdle, the fourth qualifying round could well be a far tougher proposition. Again, thanks to their seeding they will avoid the likes of Arsenal and Lyon, but they could be matched up against Stuttgart, Fiorentina, Atletico Madrid or Celtic. The fourth (and final) qualifying round will be played on 18/19 August (1st leg) and 25/26 August (2nd leg). Should the worst happen and Sporting be knocked out of the Champions League, they will at least have the consolation of remaining in Europe, taking part in the newfangled Europa League which replaces the UEFA Cup. by Tom Kundert |
Many thanks in advance
I think sporting will have a better and more competitive team this year and will go to the group's stage of CL.
If you want a team which has awards from UEFA and FIFA,supporters clubs formed in citys were we had played in competitive matches,follow the famous glasgow celtic......no contest really.
ive met blackburn fans and mate you obviously arent one as they do not like the great unwashed because of the songs that were sung and the fact they thought the owned the town when they were there
The place is squalid and lined with pseudo "Irish" slophouses.
As Willhelm has alluded too..
Just ask the fans of Newcastle United and also Leciester City the riots the caused in those town centres....
like the one with man utd who now know what the club stands for and is all about
They have to be the vilest fans in world football. Is it any wonder Scotland's population want these people to leave our country?
26 banning orders in Blackburn.
Riots in Vigo.
Support for terrorism.
Slashing and stabbing Barcelona fans.
And yet these morons think the world loves them. Love me, love me, I'm insecure.
However, you may be getting confused with the other big "Scottish" team...can't even go as far as Manchester without causing havock.
Would like to see Celtic play Sporting...would be challanging and hopefully a good match once we get over the terrible season we just had
sporting wil find it tough
What a moron ! Celtic fans = UEFA Fair Play Award
Celtic rans = FIFA Fair Play Award
HUNS = MANCHESTER !!!!!!!
Feckin moronic thugs......just ask the policeman they tried to murder !
If Sporting cannot beat Rangers then I hardly would think they "would beat Celtic no problem". This would be a good game with the green and white hoops. The good people of Lisbon will have fond memories of the Celtic support from many years ago as they cheered them into European glory. In fact they played Benfica recently in a number of good games where again the people of Lisbon extended the hand of friendship. The Celts were also invited to the Algarve Cup last year. An occasion which coincided with my holiday in the Eastern Algarve. Recently many fans enjoyed the famous Portuguese hospitality when staying in the Algarve before and after Seville.
No my friend, you have got the Hoops fans all wrong. How many cities or football clubs welcome the Rangers fans.
I will tell you, NONE.
This is in direct contrast to our Glasgow neighbours Rangers -
their fans are commonly known as 'huns' and in two european finals 37 years apart caused mass riots in the host cities Barcelona and Manchester.
"Celtic fans are vile creatures who terrorise other supports from Europe".
The riots in Seville were a disgrace.
Celtic fans however have won awards from UEFA and FIFA, something that gnaws away at the likes of Willhelm, poor wee pitiful soul.
willhelm...remember manchester???
Yes, you would enjoy a visit to Glasgow. However, Celtic supporters are renowned thoughout the world for their sporting behaviour.
Our city neighbours, Rangers are the most notorious horde of rogues to ever darken European football. Ask the people and police of Manchester,the civic council in Barcelona who pitied us for having to share a city with them, and countless other cities who have been scarred by thier presence.
Wilhellm has unfortunately been exposed to the swine flu pandemic which has now affected his thinking, Celtic Football Clubs Supporters are world wide known for hospitality and friendship,
Willhelm its time to go see your sister and get your nightly medicine.