Eight make move to Europa League

The eight teams transferring from the UEFA Champions League to the UEFA Europa League have been decided and they can now look forward to the draw for the rounds of 32 and 16 at 13.00CET on 17 December in Nyon.

FC Twente, FC Rubin Kazan, Rangers FC, SL Benfica, FC Basel 1893, FC Spartak Moskva, AFC Ajax and SC Braga all finished third in their UEFA Champions League groups. They join the top two teams from the 12 UEFA Europa League sections that conclude next week in the knockout phase; last season Club Atlético de Madrid made the same transfer and went on to win the tournament.

The four sides with the best record from the group stage – Spartak, Braga, Ajax and Twente – will be seeded in the last-32 draw along with the 12 UEFA Europa League pool winners. The other four – Rubin, Basel, Rangers and Benfica – will be placed in a pot with the 12 runners-up; those teams will be at home in the first leg on 17 February and away seven days later. No side can meet a team from their own association in the round of 32; the draw for the last 16 is completely open.