Stars come out for opening night

Three former European champions will stage home matches when the first UEFA Cup group stage gets under way on 21 October as Feyenoord take on Heart of Midlothian FC, FC Steaua Bucuresti tackle R. Standard de Liège and SL Benfica play SC Heerenveen.

Former winners
Feyenoord are the top-seeded team in Group A, whose other opening-night fixture pits FC Schalke 04, UEFA Cup winners in 1997, against Swiss league leaders FC Basel 1893. While Steaua are at home to Standard, fellow Group B hopefuls Athletic Club Bilbao meet Parma FC, who lifted this crown in 1995 and 1999.

'Very excited'
Speaking to uefa.com, Athletic defender Aitor Karanka told how his club were delighted to be back in European competition after six years away. He said: "I think the new format of the UEFA Cup is much better, especially for the fans, who are guaranteed to see four games which is a good thing. There's no doubt that the team is very excited, we have already met quality sides in the competition and that has made us stronger."

New format
The new format includes eight groups of five teams, with each team playing two games at home and two away. One team will always be inactive, with matches to be played on 21 October, 4 November, 25 November, 1/2 December, and 15/16 December. Chief among the other eye-catching opening ties is S.S Lazio's game against Villarreal CF - both having fallen to the eventual winners in the last two years.

For a full list of fixtures click here.