Intriguing ties set to light up new era

Intriguing ties set to light up new era

Published Jul. 29, 2009 11:18 p.m. ET

The UEFA Champions League enters uncharted territory this week when the new format of the third qualifying round gets under way with the likes of Celtic, Sporting Clube de Portugal and Shakhtar Donetsk joining the fray.

New format

The 17 winners from the second qualifying round — all of whom are national titleholders — will play in the Champions Path side of the draw, their numbers swelled by the addition of FC Zurich, Olympiakos and Slavia Prague.

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