Champions League

The Continent’s big boys that have set their sights on the prestigious trophy this term will find out who their opponents in the group stages will be on Thursday evening.

Following the conclusion of the Champions League play-offs on Wednesday evening, all 32 teams that will take part in the group stage of European club football’s elite competition are now known, and they will be desperate to find out who they will be pitted against during Thursday evening’s draw in Monaco.

The draw, which is scheduled to start at 17:45CET, will feature an impressive 12 previous winners of the competition, as well as three teams making their debut at the highest level.

All of the top seeded teams except Arsenal have lifted the trophy on at least one occasion, and Manchester United are even making a record 18th appearance in the 21st edition of the Champions League. Meanwhile, Montpellier, Nordsjaelland and Malaga are all set to make their bow in the tournament.

Their status as rookies does not mean that these teams go into the competition without ambition, though, as was illustrated by Boquerones winger Joaquin’s words.

“As for the group stage draw, we know that all rivals will be tough but we have qualified and are determined to enjoy the competition and go as far as we can,” the Spaniard remarked.

Of the 32 teams that featured in last year’s edition of the competition, 20 have once again managed to reach the group stages this term.

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