1) FC Salzburg, having drawn, Maccabi Haifa, look set to finally qualify for the lucrative group
stage of the Champions League. The club was purchased by RedBull founder Dietrich Mateschitz with
the intent to make it a player internationally, but it has failed in its attempts since the
takeover to qualify for the competition proper.
The last qualifying round of the Champions League is the playoff round with the winners
advancing to the group stage. On Friday the draw was released with the most intriguing matchup of
English club Arsenal against Scottish side Celtic. The matches will begin with the first legs on
August 18/19, and finish with the second legs on August 25/26.
