- Title: MONACO: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Monaco prepares for UEFA Champions League draw
- Date: 30th August 2012
- Summary: MONTE CARLO, MONACO (AUGUST 30, 2010) (REUTERS) MONACO SKYLINE / BEACH MONACO BEACH WITH PEOPLE BATHING WELCOME SIGN FOR EUROPEAN CLUB FOOTBALL SEASON KICK-OFF HUGE FOOTBALL OUTSIDE THE GRIMALDI FORUM, SITE OF THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF 2012/2013 SEASON TECHNICIANS PREPARING SUPER YACHT PULLING INTO THE BAY OF MONACO TECHNICIAN OUTSIDE THE VENUE PEOPLE IN THE SEA BOATS IN THE BAY TV CREW OUTSIDE THE VENUE TECHNICIAN WITH CABLES / SATELLITE TRUCKS OUTSIDE GRIMALDI FORUM HUGE FOOTBALL OUTSIDE THE GRIMALDI FORUM TOURISTS TAKING PICTURES NEXT TO FOOTBALLS **EDITOR'S NOTE: RE-SENDING WITH FULL SCRIPT**
- Embargoed: 14th September 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Monaco
- City:
- Country: Monaco
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA57YNVY8CS4NVNRBF02K6S6RPN
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- Story Text: Monaco prepared to host the UEFA Champions League draw on Thursday (August 30), as Europe's top football clubs waited with anticipation to see who they will face in the group stages.
Under cloudy skies, superyachts were seen pulling into the famed bay of Monaco near the Grimaldi Forum, venue for the draw. Some brave souls were seen swimming on the nearby beach as television crews and staff prepared for a big afternoon.
The draw, due to begin at 1600GMT consists of 32 teams in four pots.
The teams will be drawn into eight groups of four to contest the group stage of the Champions League.
Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev survived a gallant fightback by Borussia Moenchengladbach of Germany to ensure their name was in one of the pots on Wednesday, qualifying despite a 2-1 home defeat in their playoff round second leg.
Romanian champions FC Cluj, Spartak Moscow, Lille and former European champions Celtic also went into the hat for the draw in Monaco after winning their ties.
Malaga reached the Champions League group stage for the first time after drawing 0-0 at Panathinaikos in the second leg of their playoff tie on Tuesday (August 28).
The Spanish side, facing uncertainty behind the scenes amid speculation that their Qatari owner is looking to sell up, won 2-0 on aggregate and were joined by BATE Borisov, Dinamo Zagreb and Anderlecht. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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