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R. Standard de Liège are one of eight clubs making their debuts in the UEFA Champions League group stage this season and as part of a series of features on the competition's new boys, uefa.com runs the rule over László Bölöni's Belgian titleholders.

Who are they?
Formed: 1898
Nickname: Les Rouches (The Reds)
League titles: 10
Belgian Cups: 5

It was not until the late 1950s that Standard, named after the first French champions Standard AC Paris, established themselves as giants of Belgian football, winning their first title in 1958 and adding five more up to 1971. Standard also made their mark in Europe during this period, reaching the semi-finals of the European Champion Clubs' Cup in 1961/62 and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1966/67. They came even closer to European glory in 1982 when they reached the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final, only to lose out to FC Barcelona. There was success to celebrate on the domestic front, however, with back-to-back titles in 1982 and 1983. Years in the wilderness followed and it was only after the arrival of former goalkeeper Michel Preud'homme as coach in 2006 that the Reds found their way again. Preud'homme led Standard to their ninth title in 2008, 25 years after their previous success, and his successor Bölöni has picked up from where he left off, reclaiming the crown in dramatic fashion last season by beating rivals RSC Anderlecht in a title-deciding play-off.

One to watch
Steven Defour, 21, attacking midfielder
Aged just 19 in 2007, Defour became the fourth-youngest player to be named Belgian Footballer of the Year after an exceptional first season for Standard. Known as the Little General, his transfer from KRC Genk in 2006 had caused a stir and the diminutive playmaker soon lived up to his billing as he was awarded the captaincy. Blessed with an excellent pass and shot, the Belgian international is also an industrious presence, mature beyond his years and reportedly a target for a host of top European clubs.

Memorable match
Real Madrid CF 2-3 Standard, European Champion Clubs' Cup second round, 3 December 1969
A crowd of 34,310 packed into the Stade Maurice Dufrasne to see Erwin Kostedde score the only goal of the first leg. At the time it was unimaginable for a Belgian side to beat such a European luminary, but even that outstanding 1-0 victory could not compare to the 3-2 triumph at the Santiago Bernabéu which followed, thanks to goals from Louis Pilot, Henri Depireux and Milan Galic. Their joy was shortlived, however, as Leeds United AFC knocked them out in the quarter-finals.

Greatest player
Wilfried Van Moer
Van Moer was Standard's midfield maestro during their hat-trick of title successes between 1969 and 1971. He was named Belgium's Footballer of the Year in 1969 and 1970, having previously collected the award in the colours of R. Antwerp FC in 1966. He won 57 caps for Belgium between 1966 and 1982, and was part of the side which lost the 1980 UEFA European Championship final to West Germany.

Did you know?
Standard have been in the top flight longer than any other Belgian side, having not been relegated since winning promotion in 1921.

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VfL Wolfsburg are one of eight clubs making their debuts in the UEFA Champions League group stage this season and as part of a series of features on the new boys, uefa.com runs the rule over the German champions.

Who are they?
Formed: 1945
Nickname: Die Wölfe (The Wolves)
League titles: 1
German Cups: 0

Wolfsburg's progress to the top table of European football may have been steady, but it is the appointment of coach Felix Magath in 2007 that coincided with the speed of their ascent being cranked up a notch. Magath's arrival came on the back of two seasons flirting with relegation, but just two years later the former West German international had guided the club to a maiden title triumph and a subsequent place among Europe's élite. Prior to this hasty rise to success, Wolfsburg had been in the Bundesliga for just 12 years following a period in the doldrums of the third tier of German football. Such wilderness years are now a thing of the past thanks to Magath's shrewd wheeling and dealing, although the man credited with the club's success has since moved on to take over at FC Schalke 04 so it is over to successor Armin Veh.

One to watch
Edin Džeko, 23, striker
Allegedly coveted by a host of stellar clubs from across Europe during the transfer window, Džeko has resisted any such overtures to extend his contract with Wolfsburg until the summer of 2013. Interest from abroad arrived on the back of a prolific campaign for the Bosnian striker last term, in which he scored 26 league goals in 32 matches – second in the Bundesliga only to his team-mate Grafite. Džeko arrived in Germany from Czech outfit FK Teplice in 2007.

Memorable match
VfL Wolfsburg 5-4 1. FSV Mainz 05, 2. Bundesliga, 11 June 1997
While last season's 5-1 thrashing of FC Bayern München immediately jumps off the page, it is the remarkable promotion-winning game against Mainz that set the wheels in motion for the club's subsequent rise. Having fallen behind, two goals from Wolfsburg legend Roy Präger paved the way to victory.

Greatest player
Roy Präger
Current strikers Grafite and Džeko might be technically superior to Präger, but the former East German attacker has etched his name into Wolfsburg folklore. His never-say-die attitude, leadership qualities and 13 goals in Wolfsburg's first Bundesliga season were integral to the team avoiding relegation and setting them on the road to bigger and better things.

Did you know?
Wolfsburg have remained in the Bundesliga since their promotion in 1997, making them one of only five Bundesliga teams never to have been relegated along with FC Bayern München, Hamburger SV, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

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FC Rubin Kazan are one of eight clubs making their UEFA Champions League group-stage debuts this season, and as part of a series of features on the competition's new boys, uefa.com runs the rule over Kurban Berdyev's Russian titleholders.

Who are they?
Formed: 1958
Nickname: Tatarstantsi (The Tatarstan Side)
League titles: 1

Rubin came from nowhere to win their first Russian title in 2008, celebrating their 50th anniversary with a wholly unexpected triumph. The Tatarstan club had only won promotion to the top flight for the first time five years previously and must now quickly acclimatise to the rarified atmosphere of the UEFA Champions League. Veterans Savo Milošević, Serhiy Rebrov and Sergei Semak were influential in Rubin's title triumph, but coach Kurban Berdyev is known for his willingness to dip into the transfer market and of that trio only Semak remains. Berdyev, by contrast, is a constant and is now into his ninth season with Rubin. Turkmenistan's most famous footballing export led his side to the second division title in 2002, finished third in the top flight in 2003 then won the title last year. A Muslim, former Turkmenistan boss Berdyev celebrated by going on pilgrimage to Mecca. Rubin's rise shows no sign of slowing. In May they appeared in their first Russian Cup final, which they lost to PFC CSKA Moskva, and two-thirds of the way through the 2009 league season are again clear at the summit.

One to watch
Alejandro Domínguez, 28, forward/attacking midfielder
'El Chori' (The Joker) joined Rubin from CA River Plate in February 2004 and enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2006 when he scored 13 league goals. That December FC Zenit St. Petersburg snared the Argentinian for a reported €7m but he failed to establish himself in Dick Advocaat's side. Domínguez returned to Rubin in March 2009 determined to rediscover his best form and a return of 12 goals in 16 league games, including one run of six penalties in as many games, suggests he is better than ever.

Memorable match
FC Spartak Moskva 0-3 FC Rubin Kazan, Russian Premier League, 30 August 2009
Last term Rubin claimed a convincing league double over titleholders Zenit, but it is this season's victory away to nearest rivals Spartak that stands out. Semak, Domínguez and striker Aleksandr Bukharov scored a goal apiece as Rubin coasted to an ominous win and extended their lead at the summit to four points.

Greatest player
Sergei Semak
An iconic figure for CSKA Moskva at the turn of the century, Semak has enjoyed an Indian summer since arriving at Rubin at the start of last season. An integral part of Rubin's title triumph, the 33-year-old returned to the international reckoning after a lengthy absence and captained Russia to the UEFA EURO 2008™ semi-finals. Semak remains a talismanic figure in midfield for both Rubin and Russia.

Did you know?
Despite clinching the 2008 title with three games to spare, Rubin had to wait three weeks before being awarded the trophy. To mark their title success immediately, each player was presented with a traditional Tatar skullcap embroidered with the club's emblem and the words "Rubin are champions".

TC Admin

Sep 14 2009, 06:16 PM

Eduardo's had his 2 game ban overturned, absolutely ridiculous

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Who are they?
Formed: 1967
Nickname: AZ
League titles: 2
Dutch Cups: 3

AZ were born of the fusion between Alkmaar '54 and FC Zaanstreek. They were first known as Alkmaar Zaanstreek Combinatie, AZ '67 for short, before adopting the name AZ in July 1986. Prior to last season it was under their former guise that they enjoyed their greatest success, winning the Dutch Cup for the first time in 1978, before going one better in 1981 by claiming the title in a double-winning campaign. AZ also made their mark on the European stage that season by reaching the UEFA Cup final which they lost to Ipswich Town FC, a 4-2 second-leg victory not enough to undo the damage caused by a 3-0 loss in Suffolk. Having hit such highs, AZ fell to new lows in 1988 when they were relegated. Fresh investment under current chairman Dirk Scheringa brought its reward in 1998 with a top-flight return and in 2004/05 Co Adriaanse masterminded a return to European competition after a 22-year absence. Only a last-minute goal in extra-time of the semi-final second leg at home to Sporting Clube de Portugal prevented AZ from reaching the UEFA Cup final for a second time. Louis van Gaal was appointed coach in 2005 and led AZ to their second Eredivisie title last season before making way for Ronald Koeman.

One to watch
Mounir El Hamdaoui
The 25-year-old Rotterdam-born Moroccan international had injury problems during previous spells with Tottenham Hotspur FC and Willem II but finally blossomed during AZ's title-winning season. A technically gifted player adept with either foot, El Hamdaoui was top scorer last term and was subsequently named Dutch Player of the Season.

Memorable match
AZ Alkmaar 3-2 Sporting Clube de Portugal, UEFA Cup semi-final, 5 May 2005
A tie that ended 4-4 on aggregate and denied AZ a final berth does little justice to the manner in which Adriaanse's side were knocked out. They overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit and were level at 3-3 on aggregate heading into extra time. Kew Jaliens's goal looked to have taken AZ to their second European final, but Miguel Garcia dashed their dreams in added time at the end of extra time. "This is something you take with you to the grave," said Adriaanse.

Greatest player
Kristen Nygaard
The Danish midfielder was discovered playing for his country's Under-21s and brought to AZ in 1972, where he stayed for a decade as an integral member of all the success that followed. All elegance, his wand of a left foot provided countless assists for the likes of Pier Tol and Kees Kist as well as contributing 104 goals of in 363 games for AZ. Nygaard was named the club's Player of the Century.

Did you know?
Following their first ever European home game in September 1977 – an 11-1 win over Red Boys Differdange at the Alkmaarderhout – AZ went on a 32-match unbeaten sequence on their own turf in European competition. That remarkable run was finally ended 30 years later by Everton FC, who won 3-2 at there new home on 20 December in the UEFA Cup group stage.

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Gardiens : Mandanda, Andrade
Défenseurs : Bonnart, Bocaly, Diawara, Hilton, Heinze, Rodriguez, Taiwo, Rool
Milieux : Cheyrou, Mbia, Cissé, Kaboré, Lucho, Ben Arfa, Valbuena, Abriel
Attaquants : Niang, Brandao, Morientes

Quote:

 

L'équipe probable
Mandanda - Bonnart ou Kaboré, So. Diawara, Heinze, Taïwo - E. Cissé ou Abriel, Mbia, Lucho, Be. Cheyrou - Niang, Brandao.