UEFA Europa League

The Europe League is an annual club competition organised by UEFA. Formerly known as the UEFA Cup, the competition is the second most prestigious in European football behind the Champions League.

Qualification for the competition, which was first introduced in 1971, is earned through either league position our cup victories in the domestic European leagues with 160 teams involved throughout the many phases of the tournament.

Teams from the lesser nations go through three qualifying rounds during the summer months and then face a play-off with team dropping out of Champions League qualifying to earn a place in the first round proper, a group stage with four teams in 12 groups. From there, the top two teams in each ground qualify for the 32-team knockout stage and are joined by the eight teams who finished third in their groups in the Champions League. The knockout stages feature two leg contests home and away.

Ukranian side Shaktar Donetsk were the first winners of the Europa League in 2009 following its rebranding after beating Werder Bremen in the final. The 2010 final will be contested between Fulham and Atletico Madrid.

The most successful teams in the history of the competition are Liverpool and Italian pair Juventus and Inter Milan, all having won the titles three times.

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By: James Matthews, 14.05.2010