Women's Cup set for new season

Newcomers
Frankfurt and Umeå are among 43 entrants, including nine newcomers – German runners-up FCR 2001 Duisburg, Russian champions Zvezda-2005, AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands, Ukrainian title-holders Naftokhimik, Belgium's KVK Tienen, Swiss side FC Zürich Frauen, the Republic of Ireland's Galway LFC, Vamos Idaliou from Cyprus and Estonian representatives FC Levadia Tallinn. The seven teams with the highest coefficients will be excused the first qualifying round, in which the other 36 entrants will be drawn into nine groups of four, with one club each from a quartet of seeding pots – for the first time, there is no geographical element. Nine clubs have been designated mini-tournament hosts so will be drawn separately, while maintaining their respective seedings.

Second stage
The winners of each pool will advance to the second qualifying round, with the allocation of the four groups also decided in this draw. Frankfurt will be automatically placed in Group B1, second seeds Umeå and 2007/08 semi-finalists ASD CF Bardolino Verona will be in Group B2, 2006/07 winners Arsenal LFC will have the chance to avenge last season's quarter-final loss to Olympique Lyonnais in Group B3 and competition regulars Brøndby IF are with newcomers Duisburg in Group B4.

Knockout rounds
Two sides from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, with the tournament a two-legged knockout competition from there on in. The draw for the knockout rounds is already decided, and should Frankfurt and Umeå win both their groups and their quarter-finals, they will meet in the last four next spring. Frankfurt could even have a last-eight encounter with league rivals Duisburg.