The Champions League draw is held annually to determine the football teams participating in the competition. First, the participants of the qualifying round are determined, then - the group. After passing these stages, the draw for the Champions League for the playoff stage is carried out.
The draw takes place at the headquarters of UEFA, which is the founder of the famous football tournament. Every year it takes place on practically the same days. In order for a team to be allowed to participate in the tournament, it must meet certain criteria: to have a license from the national association, a stadium that meets UEFA requirements, and certain financial capabilities.
Initially, the organizers of the draw prepare special baskets on which small soccer balls are laid out, inside them are cards with the names of the teams. In the first basket there are great teams, in the second - less strong, in the third - weak, in the fourth - little-known or completely unknown football teams. When drawing lots, they should be careful not to include clubs from the same football federation in the same pair and group. When the Champions League draw takes place, the top clubs, which are the strongest contenders, are assigned to the groups first. Top rank is determined by points in the UEFA ranking table.
The best teams form the "queens" of the groups. After their competent distribution in eight bowls, they begin to organize the second basket, where the less powerful teams are located. They can be replayed several times so that teams from the same federation do not fall into the same game group.
At the end, the teams from the third and fourth pots are scattered. These teams are the weakest in performance and the weakest in UEFA ratings, respectively. Their names are found in the third and fourth baskets. During the Champions League draw, they are closely monitored to ensure that the football federations of one country do not overlap.
The result is eight groups to play in the group round. In each of them there are giants in rating, not very strong clubs, medium and weak. From the games of the latter, the most sensations and surprises are expected every year.
