Eight transfer to Europa League
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
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Holders FC Porto have transferred to the round of 32 along with both Manchester clubs, Trabzonspor AŞ, AFC Ajax, Valencia CF, Olympiacos FC and FC Viktoria Plzeň.
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FC Porto will defend their UEFA Europa League title in the new year as one of eight teams transferring to the competition at the round of 32 stage.
Porto, Manchester City FC, Trabzonspor AŞ, Manchester United FC, AFC Ajax, Valencia CF, Olympiacos FC and FC Viktoria Plzeň all finished third in their UEFA Champions League groups and will take their place in the draw at 13.00CET on 16 December in Nyon.
City, United, Olympiacos and Valencia, having had the best records, will be seeded alongside the 12 UEFA Europa League group winners. Ajax, Porto, Trabzonspor and Plzeň will be placed with the runners-up. The only restriction in the round of 32 for the teams transferring is that they cannot play a club from their own association in the ties on 16 and 23 February. The round of 16, drawn at the same time, has no restrictions.
The UEFA Europa League groups conclude next Wednesday and Thursday.
