Yerevan to face former finalists

Yerevan's reward
Yerevan's reward for winning the opening pool is a place in Group 4, staged by Hungary's Colorspectrum Aramis Budapest and containing ABGU Ararat Nicosia of Cyprus and the 2003/04 finalists SL Benfica. Tirana are in Group 5 against home team KMN Svea Lesna Litija of Slovenia, who reached the last eight in 2004/05, KMN Marbo Beograd and Athina '90 of Greece.

Final rematch?
Holders Action 21 Charleroi are in Poland for their pool against hosts Clearex Chorzow, Iberia 2003 Tbilisi and Lithuania's FK Nautara Kaunas, and if they win the group the second qualifying round will leave them playing, among others, the Group 2 winners - which could be the team beaten by Charleroi in last season's thrilling final, MFK Dinamo Moskva.

Boomerang challenge
Benfica, meanwhile, would face a rematch of the 2004 final should they top their pool and Spanish champions Boomerang Interviú FS win Group 7. It will not be easy for Boomerang, though, as Erregi Travel Perugia are the hosts, with Moldova's FC Camelot Chisinau and Alfa Parf Skopje also involved. Boomerang's game with Skopje on 8 October will be the first of the round, with the last pool to finish Group 4, 20 days later.

Route to final
Once the eight group winners are determined, they will have until March to prepare for the second qualifying round, also played as mini-tournaments with the hosts to be chosed from among the competing clubs. Unlike in previous years, the runners-up will progress from this round as will as the winners to a new two-legged semi-final stage.

First qualifying round - Group 1 (hosts in bold)
Fixtures 15, 16 & 18 October

First qualifying round - Group 2 (hosts in bold)
Fixtures 10, 11 & 13 October

First qualifying round - Group 3 (hosts in bold)
Fixtures 10, 11 & 13 October

First qualifying round - Group 4 (hosts in bold)
Fixtures 25, 26 & 28 October

First qualifying round - Group 5 (hosts in bold)
Fixtures 17, 18 & 20 October

First qualifying round - Group 6 (hosts in bold)
Fixtures 11, 12 & 14 October

First qualifying round - Group 7 (hosts in bold)
Fixtures 8, 9 & 11 October

First qualifying round - Group 8 (hosts in bold)
Fixtures 12,13 & 15 October

Second qualifying round - Group A (hosts tbc)
To be played 14-24 March 2006

Second qualifying round - Group B (hosts tbc)
To be played 14-24 March 2006