GENEVA (AP) — There could be a surprising team from each of Europe’s “big five” leagues when the new-look Champions League debuts next season. Aston Villa, Bologna, Brest, Girona and Stuttgart are all, remarkably, on course to qualify for Europe’s elite competition going into the final few rounds of their national league. Bologna, Stuttgart and Girona have perhaps the best chance of earning a place in the 36-team Champions League lineup when the lucrative tournament switches to a new format next season. For Spain’s Girona and French club Brest, it would be a particularly remarkable achievement — neither has ever played in any European competition. But this kind of challenge was not expected from any of the provincial teams, which have had little or no recent success — even if Aston Villa was the European Cup champion in 1982 — and mostly have coaches who are in their first full season. |
MLB warns teams against encouraging players to withdraw from high schools to avoid amateur draftMan who went THREE months without a bowel movement had hardened waste stuck in his colonMLB warns teams against encouraging players to withdraw from high schools to avoid amateur draftReport says Chiefs' Rashee Rice suspected of assault weeks after arrest over highWhere were Kanye West and Bianca Censori's Met Gala invites? As his exMan who went THREE months without a bowel movement had hardened waste stuck in his colonLeverkusen unbeaten run up to 48 after Frankfurt winEquestrian Beijing Masters to be held in OctoberSoccer fans now have a day to celebrate the world's most popular sportBrazil's soccer federation suspends matches because of flooding