Udinese signal European ambition
Monday, May 2, 2005
Article summary
Udinese Calcio are one of several lower-profile teams eyeing a place in next season's UEFA Champions League.
Article body
Udinese challenge
In Serie A, FC Internazionale Milano should hold on to third position, but the battle for the fourth qualification spot is intense. Udinese Calcio, UEFA Intertoto Cup winners in 2000, went level with UC Sampdoria on Sunday after defeating Atalanta BC, and are now in direct competition with the Genoese side as they bid to enter the European Champion Clubs' Cup for the first time.
Sampdoria hopeful
The two teams meet at the Stadio Friuli on 15 May in a match that could determine which makes the Champions League third qualifying round. Sampdoria, 1990 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup winners, made quite an impact on their only European Cup appearance, reaching the final in 1991/92 before going down 1-0 to FC Barcelona.
Everton return
In England, 1985 Cup Winners' Cup winners Everton FC are still fending off rivals Liverpool FC in fourth, despite losing against Fulham FC on Saturday, as they contemplate their first European Cup campaign since 1970/71 when they went as far as the quarter-finals. Everton were domestic champions in 1985 and 1987 but were denied entry because of the European ban on English sides.
Spanish race
Sevilla FC and Villarreal CF occupy third and fourth places respectively in Spain, but the race for the Champions League qualifying spots looks certain to go to the wire. Fourth position in particular is wide open, with Valencia CF, RCD Espanyol and Real Betis Balompié all mounting serious challenges.
Villarreal push
Villarreal have won the Intertoto Cup in the past two seasons and reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals last term but like Udinese, they have never featured in Europe's premier club competition. Sevilla were quarter-finalists in their only European Cup campaign in 1957/58.
Second chance
The second-placed teams in Germany and France, FC Schalke 04 and LOSC Lille Métropole, will be eager to have another crack at the Champions League. Both have had one previous attempt - in 2001/02 - but neither got beyond the first group stage.
The following list is subject to ratification by the individual national associations
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