welcome to the opening of the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE U E FA CHAMPIONS Once again, the flagship competition of the European Football Union has under gone important changes, as part of our efforts to boost the attractiveness of the event for both the clubs and the many mil lions of spectators who will be watching the matches - on television and in the stadia. The key innovation is the increase in the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE field to 16 teams. The holders of the European Champion Clubs' Cup and the seven best- placed champion clubs in the UEFA ranking list have now been joined by the eight win ners of preliminary-round matches played in August. These 16 clubs have been divided into four groups of four teams each, and the group competition will be played until December. Quarter-finals and semi-finals will be played using the knock-out system early next year, with the final prize a place in the Champion Ciubs'Cup final next May. The draw ceremony for the group matches took place in July, which means that the mixture list in each of the four groups is known. All of the 16 clubs have earned their place in the UEFA CHAM PIONS LEAGUE on merit, and there is plenty of excitement in store for followers of the European game. Let us also hope that the 16 teams - players, officials and supporters - approach the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE matches with the right attitude. Memorable matches, played in a sportsmanlike manner and with positive attacking football, will help to con solidate the success that this competition has enjoyed since it was launched in 1992. On behalf of the European Football Union, I would like to wish the teams taking part all the very best. Thanks are also due to our commercial and broadcasting part ners for their support and cooperation, as well as to all the media representatives covering the matches throughout Europe - and I hope the fans watching the action will enjoy the excitement and entertainment on offer in the new-style UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. Lennart Johansson President of UEFA

AJAX ARCHIEF

Programmaboekjes (vanaf 1934) | 1994 | | pagina 3