Besiktas lead five into group stage

Champions through
Besiktas JK's title triumph in Turkey ensured their participation, while AS Monaco and VfB Stuttgart were also spared the problem of qualifying after finishing second in France and Germany respectively. In Greece, Olympiakos Pireaus FC just pipped Panathinaikos FC to the title but both will enter the Champions League at the group stage, leaving third-placed AEK Athens FC to negotiate the third qualifying round.

Already in
Sixteen teams will qualify automatically for the 32-team group stage, with the other 16 coming through the qualifying rounds. The other sides who have an automatic place confirmed are Juventus FC, Internazionale FC, Manchester United FC, Arsenal FC, FC Bayern München, Olympique Lyonnais and FC Porto.

Still waiting
With three rounds still to play in Spain there is much to play for. Real Sociedad, Real Madrid CF and RC Deportivo La Coruña will all enter the Champions League next season - along with one of RC Celta de Vigo, Valencia CF and Athletic Club Bilbao - but who will finish where in the top four is still anyone's guess. The champions and runners-up will advance to next season's group stage.

Tight at top
It is also tight in the Netherlands with just one match left. PSV Eindhoven have a three-point advantage over AFC Ajax and have a superior goal difference. PSV are definitely in Europe's premier club competition next season, while only a freak set of results would allow Feyenoord to pip Ajax to the other Dutch place in the Champions League. The team which finishes second will progress to the third qualifying round.

Keen observers
FC Lokomotiv Moskva have particular reason to hope for a Juventus triumph in Wednesday's Champions League final against AC Milan in Manchester. A Juve win would see them qualify for next season's Champions League group stage as holders rather than by virtue of their Serie A success. This would free up a place in the group stage for Russia, the highest ranked country previously without an automatic entry. However, if Milan triumph at Old Trafford then they will take the holders' group stage spot, along with Juve and Inter, the two highest-ranked Italian teams. 

As they stand
Going by the present league standings around Europe, the lineup for next season's Champions League would appear as follows. Those teams who qualified in seasons concluding in late 2002 or from 2002/03 campaigns where the qualifying places have already been decided appear in bold: