Toulouse size up mountainous task

Toulouse FC coach Elie Baup admitted "it's more than a mountain to climb - it's the Himalayas" after the French side were paired with five-time winners Liverpool FC in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.

Ideal draw
Only eight years ago Toulouse were playing third division football and in recent seasons the club have been more accustomed to fighting relegation than shooting for Europe. Yet last year proved a watershed as they came from nowhere to finish an impressive third in Ligue 1. That secured their first shot at the UEFA Champions League and a lucrative tie with 2005 winners Liverpool. "In some ways it's the best draw we could have hoped for," Baup said. "It will create a buzz around the club as Toulouse are not a big name in French football."

Maradona eclipsed?
Indeed, the Pyrenean city is more associated with Rugby Union, though the football team too has had its share of European nights. "If we go through it will make our UEFA Cup victory over Napoli [SSC] in 1987 look very small in comparison," club president Olivier Sadran said. "It would leave its mark forever." That Maradona was in that Napoli side speaks volumes for the respect Toulouse hold for last season's beaten UEFA Champions League finalists, a sentiment echoed by Baup. "The spotlights will be on us, but it's even more than a mountain to climb - it's the Himalayas," he said.

Dramatic progress
Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez, meanwhile, though respectful of the southern side, admits he is happy with the draw. "Toulouse are a good side with some good players," he said. "The French league is of a high standard and so this won't be an easy game but I'm happy for two reasons: the travelling won't be a problem, and the second leg will be at Anfield in front of our supporters."