Six clubs target Champions League group stage glory ahead of final playoff games

We’ve reached the final stage of a qualification process for a place in the 2023-23 UEFA Champions League group stage that commenced in late June with representatives from San Marino, Iceland, Andorra and Montenegro.

Fast forward to late August and after three qualifying rounds, just twelve sides remain in the hunt for one of the six spots that offer a place in that promised land that is the group stage of the competition.

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Faroes surprise

The undoubted talking point of the rounds so far has been the progression of Faroe Islands KÍ Klaksvik who took Norwegian champions Molde to extra time in the third qualifying round only to fall after extra time. The side who hail from the northern island in the Atlantic archipelago with a town of just 5,000 people will be guaranteed at least a place in the Conference League as Molde now progress to face Galatasaray in the playoff round.

Two Greek sides are in contention as AEK Athens face Antwerp with Panathinaikos set to face Portugal’s Braga.

Champions League: Final playoff round

Twelve teams will meet in a home-away series with games set to be played on 22/23 August with the return legs pencilled in for 29/30 August with the full group stage draw set to be held on 30 August in Monaco.

The six winners will advance to the group stage.