UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
ENTERS ITS DECISIVE PHASE
39
U E FA
CHAMPIONS
LEAGUE
The 1994-95 UEFA CHAMPIONS
LEAGUE has undergone a number of
changes since last season's compe
tition. Last summer, 16 European
teams contested knock-out matches
in a special preliminary round, with
the eight winning teams qualifying for
the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
group competition. They joined eight
other teams who had qualified direct
ly, and who were seeded as a result.
The decisive phase of the compe
tition began in March, in the form of
European football's traditional 'cup'
knock-out system, which will
cultiminate in the final.
These fundamental changes have
further increased the appeal of the
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. In both
the preliminary round and group
matches, the forma|chosen led to a
series of exciting contests - matches
that would have been worthy of the
final itself. Fans can rest assured that
the remaining matches will, be just as
entertainig, giving football aficionados
the chance to identify with teams
that mirror the quality, elegance,
strenght and sheer magic of the
European game.
Perfect proof of the succes of the
format was provided in the quarter
final matches, played on March 1 and
15. Indeed, several of the encounters
could have billed as finals in their own
right. The four clubs that have made
it through to the semi-finals, and who
are now battling for a coverd place in
the final, can certainly be called the
'crème de la crème' of the European
game. Nor should it be forgotten that
the beaten quarter-finalists them
selves are clubs of great renown -
Barcelona, Hajduk Split, IFK
Gothenburg and SL Benfica have
also distinguished themselves in
UEFA competitions for many years.
One thing is certain: the UEFA
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, in spite of its
short history, has become the focal
point of European football, bringing
together various schools of thought,
types of football and tactical systems
- a meeting place for all kinds of
mentalities and passions.
Whatever results of the semi-finals,
the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
grand finale in Vienna on May 24,
1995 will feature clubs that have
every right to consider themselves as
'simply the best'!
