Having impressively overcome the daunting task of the second round group stages, Newcastle go on to face new foes in their quest for European glory. An unbeaten record so far in Europe, including seven victories and twelve goals, the Toon Army have every right to be feeling confident going into their Last 32 tie with Belgian minnows, Zulte Waregem.

These new enemies are hardly the most frightening of opponents we have come across so far in the competition, and seeing their name crop up alongside Newcastle United was a welcome site; a stark contrast to the disappointment and despair suffered during the previous round’s draw. A hefty chunk of supporters were unconfident of even progressing, when the likes of Fenerbahce and Palermo were highlighted in the same group as the Magpies.

However, Newcastle battled on and thoroughly deserved a top spot finish. Some fine displays, both home and away, were endured in Round 2, including a surprise victory over Palermo - who were then leading Serie A.

The European rookies from Belgian certainly appeared to be the nicest possible outcome for this draw; Waregem coming third in their respective group. It was an unlikely shade of luck that saw us pitted against them in the Last 32. A kind draw, granted, Mr Roeder will know better than to underestimate these toddlers of European footy. After all, the conquests of Baltic antagonists Ventspils and Levadia were hardly those of a dominating Newcastle United. The team however, appear to have developed a tendency of stooping to the opposition’s level.

One hopes that this time round, a couple of slightly more convincing performances will come our way. A 0-0 draw at home to a Latvian side may be regarded as an “outstanding result” to the likes of Channel 5’s Joe Royle, but the Newcastle faithful expect slightly more than that.

Zulte Waregem are not the highest standard of opponents that we could face should we progress. Infact, the UEFA Cup this season is at its strongest in many years. Boasting top outfits from England, Spain, Germany and Portugal, the competition is not to be taken lightly and with complacent ease - something we had the freedom of doing in the Bobby Robson campaign of 2003/04.

A grand total of fifteen nations are being represented at this stage of the competition, and I envisage giving a run-down of all the respective teams, from your Spartaks of Russia to your Steauas of Romania.
Firstly, here is the Last 32 draw in full:

Bayer Leverkusen vs Blackburn Rovers
Hapoel Tel-Aviv vs Glasgow Rangers
Livorno Calcio vs Espanyol
Fenerbahce vs AZ Alkmaar
Shakthar Donetsk vs Nancy
Bordeaux Girondins vs Osasuna
Werder Bremen vs Ajax Amsterdam
CSKA Moscow vs Maccabi Haifa
Benfica Lisbon vs Dinamo Bucharest
AEK Athens vs Paris St Germain
Steaua Bucharest vs Sevilla
Sporting Braga vs Parma
Spartak Moscow vs Celta Vigo
Zulte Waregem vs Newcastle United
RC Lens vs Panathinaikos
Feyenoord vs Tottenham Hotspur

Included in my guide are details of each team’s current domestic and European form, and I have also devised a method of judging whether or not each team has a realistic shot at lifting the trophy. The ‘Champion Rating’ varies from Grade A to Grade C. A represents a very strong chance of the team triumphing, B representing a decent chance, and C representing very little chance.

So, to kick us off…

Belgium

Representing Teams: SV Zulte Waregem

Zulte Waregem
Domestic Table Position: 10/18
Group Stage Finish: 3rd
Group Stage Results: 4-1, 3-1, 2-6, 0-3
Champion Rating: Grade C

Our nemesis of the Last 32, the Belgian outfit are a highly average team with very little going for them in this competition. Ecstatic to merely be here, impressive wins (given the circumstances) over the likes of Sparta Prague and Austria Vienna barely overshadow the humiliating 6-2 obliteration at the hands of Espanyol. The club, officially united only in 2001, is enjoying its first taste of European football this season.

Domestically however, things are not so bright, in spite a promising home win over Standard Liege. Perched a mere tenth in a poor Belgium Jupiler League having scored only 22 goals this season, the Belgians really shouldn’t pose Newcastle a problem.

England

Representing Teams: Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur

Blackburn Rovers
Domestic Table Position: 9
Group Stage Finish: 1st
Group Stage Results: 2-1, 3-0, 0-0, 1-0
Champion Rating: Grade C

Newcastle United
Domestic Table Position: 10
Group Stage Finish: 1st
Group Stage Results: 1-0, 1-0, 2-1, 0-0
Champion Rating: Grade B

Tottenham Hotspur
Domestic Table Position: 11
Group Stage Finish: 1st
Group Stage Results: 2-0, 3-1, 1-0, 3-1
Champion Rating: Grade B

I shall only do a brief run-down of our English participants for obvious reasons. However, I will say with confidence that I do not believe Blackburn have a realistic chance of winning this competition. Above us in the Premier League table they may be, I do not feel that they have a squad with the quality to force a real threat to the big boys.

Newcastle and Spurs on the other hand, do have those squads and do have those required players. The Magpies probably have the upper hand of all the English teams, having had so much European experience in the past few seasons. None of the three would I class as big guns in this season’s competition, but the likes of us and Tottenham certainly have a chance of lifting the trophy, given a shade of luck and some quality signings in the January transfer window. Hmm.

France

Representing Teams: Bordeaux Girondins, Nancy, RC Lens, Paris St Germain

Bordeaux Girondins
Domestic Table Position: 7
Group Stage Finish: 3rd in Champions League Group
Champion Rating: Grade B

Nancy
Domestic Table Position: 11
Group Stage Finish: 2nd
Group Stage Results: 2-1, 2-2, 3-0, 0-1
Champion Rating: Grade C

RC Lens
Domestic Table Position: 2
Group Stage Finish: 3rd
Group Stage Results: 3-1, 1-1, 1-2, 0-1
Champion Rating: Grade C

Paris St Germain
Domestic Table Position: 16
Group Stage Finish: 2nd
Group Stage Results: 0-0, 2-4, 0-0, 4-0
Champion Rating: Grade C

The standard of opponents coming from France is to be frowned upon. One would expect a match with Paris St Germain to be a relatively daunting task, although the team are massively underachieving in France’s Lique 1, languishing in a lowly 17th place. Only just above the relegation zone, Paris has won a mere 5 games from 24 this season. The former Cup Winners Cup victors have been less than convincing in Europe too, a disappointing goalless draw to Mlada Boleslav and an embarrassing home defeat at the hands Hapoel Tel-Aviv had their fans rioting in anger. Their compatriots Bordeaux however, represent a potentially tricky task should they come our way.

Remarkable victories over PSV Eindhoven and Galatasaray weren’t enough to stop them crashing out of the Champions League. Boasting dominating attackers such as Johan Micoud and Jean-Claude Darcheville, Bordeaux are not to be taken lightly in this competition. On the whole though, I can’t see any French outfit posing a major threat to the favourites of this tournament.

Germany

Representing Teams: Bayer Leverkusen, Werder Bremen

Bayer Leverkusen
Domestic Table Position: 7
Group Stage Finish: 3rd
Group Stage Results: 1-1, 0-1, 1-2, 2-1
Champion Rating: Grade B

Werder Bremen
Domestic Table Position: 2
Group Stage Finish: 3rd in Champions League
Champion Rating: Grade A

The two teams from Germany each represent a very dangerous force in this season’s UEFA Cup. Bremen, the recent German Champions, are an obvious contender to lift the trophy - boasting top class players such as Miroslav Klose, Torsten Frings and Naldo. Unlucky to crash out at the first hurdle of the Champions League proper, Bremen were faced with the impossible task of overcoming Chelsea and Barcelona. However, the Germans made a very decent account of themselves, pushing Barca to the extreme. Personally, I see Werder Bremen as the favourites to lift the UEFA Cup in May.

Make sure not to right Leverkusen off, though. They’ll cause a few problems for Blackburn Rovers in the coming round; Ukrainian forward Andrei Voronin posing the most obvious threat.

Greece

Representing Teams: AEK Athens, Panathinaikos

AEK Athens
Domestic Table Position: 2/16
Group Stage Finish: 3rd in Champions League
Champion Rating: Grade B

Panathinaikos
Domestic Table Position: 3/16
Group Stage Finish: 1st
Group Stage Results: 2-0, 1-0, 0-0, 0-4
Champion Rating: Grade B

The likes of AEK may not appear to pose the most awesome threat in this tournament. That is probably the case - Athens are unlikely to win the UEFA Cup, but they gave a very creditable performance in the Champions League, and are not to be taken lightly. Two massive results were endured in the group stages for Athens, a superb victory over AC Milan and an equally impressive triumph over French schemers Lille. Goal machines in the Greek league, this team has certainly got the firepower to cause damage. Loan signing from Benfica Gustavo Manduca is one to watch.

Compatriots Panathinaikos comfortably overcame their UEFA Cup group hurdle, clinching top spot above PSG and Hapoel Tel-Aviv. The Greeks won all of their games that they were expected to, and hadn’t conceded a goal until a late slip-up against a determined Paris side. I feel that AEK are the ones that may forge a real attempt at winning this title, though neither side have realistic credentials of success.

Israel

Representing Teams: Hapoel Tel-Aviv, Maccabi Haifa

Hapoel Tel-Aviv
Domestic Table Position: 2/12
Group Stage Finish: 3rd
Group Stage Results: 0-2, 2-2, 4-2, 1-1
Champion Rating: Grade C

Maccabi Haifa
Domestic Table Position: 7/12
Group Stage Finish: 2nd
Group Stage Results: 3-1, 0-2, 1-0, 1-1
Champion Rating: Grade C

This may come as a shock to some of you, but Israeli football is not one of my hottest topics. Please however, try and contain your disappointment, as I share with you a very brief outline of what is to come from our middle-eastern antagonists. Hapoel Tel-Aviv, a distinctly average side on first glance, have forced only one victory in a group containing the likes of Mlada Boleslav and Rapid Bucharest. Maccabi Haifa are a potentially dangerous outfit, having given Liverpool an almighty scare in the Champions League qualifiers at the start of the season. They’re doing naff in the league, mind. Don’t lose sleep over either of these adversaries.

Italy

Representing Teams: Livorno Calcio, Parma

Livorno Calcio
Domestic Table Position: 14
Group Stage Finish: 3rd
Group Stage Results: 2-3, 1-1, 1-1, 1-0
Champion Rating: Grade C

Parma
Domestic Table Position: 19
Group Stage Finish: 1st
Group Stage Results: 2-1, 2-1, 2-1, 0-3
Champion Rating: Grade C

Ah, this is better. For once, the Italians fail to boast an array of frightening teams in a European competition. Infact, if Newcastle United were to be paired with either Livorno or Parma in this competition, I would be rubbing my hands together. I mean, Livorno are so poor that they lost to Rangers. At home! Nor could they beat Partizan Belgrade, who we all know are rubbish, or Maccabi Haifa. This average Italian outfit merely squeezed through the group stages, overcoming Auxerre by a single point. They’ll do nowt in this competition. Neither will, in my honest opinion, Parma - who are a UEFA Cup regular nowadays, having appeared in the competition for the last three seasons.

Parma are crashing and burning in Serie A - sitting precariously in 19th place, having won only 3 games from 22. Our English rivals Spurs, have been granted a major favour by UEFA. Not only have they been awarded a bye, but they are to face the winner of Parma and Braga. The chances are, Parma will inevitably triumph then get booted out because of this grounds row, and Tottenham will be in the quarter-final having not played a knockout game. We’d love that, wouldn’t we? Anyhow, it gives me great pleasure to say to you all - do not fear the Italians in this competition. That is something that one can very rarely say.

Netherlands

Representing Teams: Ajax Amsterdam, AZ Alkmaar

Ajax Amsterdam
Domestic Table Position: 2
Group Stage Finish: 2nd
Group Stage Results: 3-0, 0-0, 0-2, 3-0
Champion Rating: Grade B

AZ Alkmaar
Domestic Table Position: 3
Group Stage Finish: 1st
Group Stage Results: 3-0, 5-2, 2-2, 2-1
Champion Rating: Grade A

Of all the nations being represented in the UEFA Cup this season, I feel that Holland’s accumulated force is the scariest. Ajax: European giants, absolutely no question. And Alkmaar, who have come out of nowhere these past couple of years, are arguably the best side in the Dutch league at the moment - coached by former Barcelona manager Louis Van Gaal. The introduction to the two teams strikes fear into the pack. Ajax, spearheaded by one of the Europe’s finest young strikers at the moment - Klaas Jan Huntelaar, have been awarded with an immensely tricky tie with Werder Bremen in the coming round. This is the only reason why they do not achieve a Grade A Champion Rating. Ajax were unfortunate to only come second in their 2nd Round group, an outcome largely down to the fact that Spaniards Espanyol were on such magnificent form. Comfortable victories over Austria Vienna and Zulte ensured that they went through with relative ease. The fact that they were handed with a Champions League drop-out was a severe benefit to everyone else, as Bremen are likely to send the Dutch packing.

AZ Alkmaar are simply immense infront of goal, averaging almost three goals a game in the Dutch Eredivisie and scoring over 70 goals in total so far this season. Former Rangers man Shota Arveladze is the current top scorer at the club, with 16 goals to his name from just 25 appearances. The Georgian International has been a magnificent success since returning to Holland, Van Gaal clinching him for no fee. AZ Alkmaar frighten me and I’m gutted that there’s a chance we may have to face them, especially with our shaky defense.

Portugal

Representing Teams: Benfica, Sporting Braga

Benfica
Domestic Table Position: 3/16
Group Stage Finish: 3rd in Champions League
Champion Rating: Grade A

Sporting Braga
Domestic Table Position: 4/16
Group Stage Finish: 3rd
Group Stage Results: 0-3, 4-0, 0-2, 2-0
Champion Rating: Grade C

Always be cautious of the Portuguese. Never write off the Portuguese teams - because they’re always very dangerous outfits who will spring a few surprises. This is largely why I regard Benfica as the competition’s favourites alongside Werder Bremen. I think that they are a fantastic team, who have every chance of winning the UEFA Cup this season. The Lisbon sharpshooters destroyed Celtic at the hostile Estadio da Luz - a stadium English supporters know only too well. Benfica hold the likes of Nuno Gomes, Mantorras, Petit, Simao Sabrosa and Luisao in their ranks, aswell as experienced heads such as Rui Costa - a player who will be vital for them in their European quest. As destructive a team as they are on home turf, their away form is indifferent. Both Celtic and Manchester United comfortably beat them on British soil, and the Portuguese could only muster a goalless draw in Copenhagen. Many teams have a chance against Benfica, but I really fear them.

Sporting Braga on the other hand, although I am certainly not writing them off, are a team that do not strike fear into my bones. I look through their squad and I don’t see any names that especially stand out - the exception being former Portugal regular, 35-year-old Joao Pinto. Should Spurs have to face them in the Last Sixteen, they will go into each tie with confidence.

Romania

Representing Teams: Dinamo Bucharest, Steaua Bucharest

Dinamo Bucharest
Domestic Table Position: 1/18
Group Stage Finish: 2nd
Group Stage Results: 2-1, 1-1, 2-1, 1-3
Champion Rating: Grade C

Steaua Bucharest
Domestic Table Position: 2/18
Group Stage Finish: 3rd in Champions League
Champion Rating: Grade C

Once again, we come across one of my black holes of football knowledge. If a person asked me to name as many Romanian teams as I could, I think I’d be able to name three, Dinamo, Steaua and Rapid. However, the Romanian contingent is not to be treated with complacency, especially by us English, when you look at the scare Steaua Bucharest provided for Middlesbrough last season. Their most dangerous player being Dica - the winger impressed in the Champions League stages. Still - I can remember watching the Tottenham-Dinamo game, and it was one of the most comfortable and easy performances I have witnessed from Spurs this season. It was simple for them. And when you consider than Steaua are a mighty 13 points behind Dinamo in the Romanian league, you have to wonder why the two are really bothering. The two are to be treat with caution because they are inevitably going to be hostile and confident on home turf, but I honestly cannot see either of them posing a huge threat.

Russia

Representing Teams: CSKA Moscow, Spartak Moscow

CSKA Moscow
Domestic Table Position: 2/16
Group Stage Finish: 3rd in Champions League
Champion Rating: Grade A

Spartak Moscow
Domestic Table Position: 1/16
Group Stage Finish: 3rd in Champions League
Champion Rating: Grade B

Of the two Russian participants, I would have to say the CSKA Moscow - winners back in 2005 - pose the greatest threat to the big guns. I would even go to the extent of saying that CSKA were one of the big guns: they’re one of my favourites to lift the trophy in May. The strong and persistent outfit overcame Arsenal over two legs, without conceding a goal against the Gunners, which is an impressive feat. They pushed Arsenal and Porto to the limit, and were unfortunate not to climax by qualifying from the group stages. Nevertheless, they go into the UEFA Cup with a very good chance of doing something special.

Having been injected with large amounts of cash just recently, Spartak Moscow have established themselves as a tough nut to crack. Still, they underperformed in the Champions League - their controversial artificial pitch did not halt the likes of Inter Milan and Bayern Munich from triumphing. They could be a force in the competition and will probably cause a few problems, but I cannot see them doing an awful lot.

Scotland

Representing Teams: Glasgow Rangers

Glasgow Rangers
Domestic Table Position: 2/12
Group Stage Finish: 1st
Group Stage Results: 3-2, 2-0, 2-2, 1-0
Champion Rating: Grade C

Rangers are crap and they’ll do nowt.

Spain

Representing Teams: Celta Vigo, Espanyol, Osasuna, Sevilla

Celta Vigo
Domestic Table Position: 17
Group Stage Finish: 2nd
Group Stage Results: 1-1, 1-2, 1-0, 1-1
Champion Rating: Grade C

Espanyol
Domestic Table Position: 12
Group Stage Finish: 1st
Group Stage Results: 2-0, 6-2, 2-0, 1-0
Champion Rating: Grade B

Osasuna
Domestic Table Position: 11
Group Stage Finish: 2nd
Group Stage Results: 0-0, 1-3, 3-1, 3-0
Champion Rating: Grade C

Sevilla
Domestic Table Position: 2
Group Stage Finish: 2nd
Group Stage Results: 0-0, 2-0, 4-0, 1-2
Champion Rating: Grade A

There are two teams from the Spanish contingent that I fear. One of them is Sevilla, the current holders and current high-fliers in La Liga. They a highly impressive outfit and must be treated with severe caution - Boro know this only too well having been obliterated by them in the 2006 final. Former Tottenham man Fredi Kanoute has been running riot in Spain, scoring 16 from 24 - aided by impressive collaborator Luis Fabiano. Sevilla are a fantastic team and have every chance of winning this competition two seasons on the bounce.

The other team that I am wary of is Espanyol - simply down to their amazing form in the competition so far. They obliterated Newcastle’s up and coming opponents 6-2 and defeated both Sparta Prague and Ajax with comfortable ease. They’re not flying high in La Liga, but Espanyol are a tricky side who the likes of Newcastle should be wary of. I wouldn’t class them as a favourite, but they’re my dark horses.

Turkey

Representing Teams: Fenerbahce

Fenerbahce
Domestic Table Position: 1/18
Group Stage Finish: 3rd
Group Stage Results: 0-1, 3-0, 0-1, 2-2
Champion Rating: Grade B

I was less than impressed with the Turkish leaders when they visited us on Tyneside. I was expecting so much more from their to players: Mateja Kezman, Stephen Appiah, Sanli Tuncay, Alex de Souza and the rest - yet none of them really performed at St James’ Park and the Toon justifiably overcame the obstacle by winning 1-0. Needless to say, Fenerbahce picked up and went on to finish third in the group. Although they weren’t great in Newcastle, I feel it is a different story at home - with 50,000 angry Turks behind them I feel they are good enough to beat anyone. It’s a crunch tie with Alkmaar, and I can’t say I’d be thrilled to face them a second time.

 

Ukraine

Representing Teams: Shakhtar Donetsk

Shakthar Donetsk
Domestic Table Position: 2/16
Group Stage Finish: 3rd in Champions League
Champion Rating: Grade B

Shakhtar, although with a good European home record, do not strike me as the most fearful of opponents. Away from home in the Champions League, they were simply swept aside by the likes of Roma and Valencia, and could only muster a disappointing 1-1 draw at Olympiakos. In their squad, they have the likes of Ukrainian national team captain, Antoliy Tymoschuk (a former target of the Magpies) and feisty Brazilian, Fernandinho. Either way, I do not feel that Donetsk have the required squad to forge a real attempt at winning this trophy.

There you have it; there is my run-down of each of the 31 teams. Feyenoord, of course, should have made it 32 - but were booted due to crowd trouble.

Verdict

My Favourites: Werder Bremen and Benfica Lisbon

My Dark Horses: Espanyol

On Newcastle’s Chances: I believe that we will comfortably overcome Zulte Waregem, but the next round is an unknown. I can imagine we will face AZ Alkmaar - and, deep down - I do not fancy our chances against them. They simply have a blistering attack that I feel will be too much for our defense. Nevertheless, this is Newcastle, and we’re likely to spring a surprise at any stage. If we overcome Fenerbahce/Alkmaar, I’d be very confident indeed. But, unfortunately, I simply cannot see it.

Round of 32: My Predictions (Victors in Bold)

Bayer Leverkusen                        vs                     Blackburn Rovers
Hapoel Tel-Aviv                   vs                     Glasgow Rangers
Livorno                              vs                     Espanyol
Fenerbahce                         vs                     AZ Alkmaar
Shakthar Donetsk              vs                     Nancy
Bordeaux                               vs                     Osasuna
Werder Bremen                 vs                     Ajax Amsterdam
CSKA Moscow                    vs                     Maccabi Haifa
Benfica                             vs                     Dinamo Bucharest
AEK Athens                       vs                     Paris St Germain
Steaua Bucharest                vs                     Sevilla
Sporting Braga                  vs                     Parma
Spartak Moscow                vs                     Celta Vigo
Zulte Waregem                   vs                     Newcastle United
RC Lens                            vs                     Panathinaikos
Feyenoord                           vs                   Tottenham Hotspur

And finally, the draw for the Last Sixteen:

Zulte Waregem/Newcastle United vs AZ Alkmaar/Fenerbahce
CSKA Moscow/Maccabi Haifa vs Livorno Calcio/Espanyol
Hapoel Tel-Aviv/Glasgow Rangers vs Bordeaux Girondins/Osasuna
Sporting Braga/Parma vs Tottenham Hotspur
Steaua Bucharest/Sevilla vs Shakhtar Donetsk/Nancy
RC Lens/Panathinaikos vs Bayer Leverkusen/Blackburn Rovers
AEK Athens/Paris St Germain vs Benfica Lisbon/Dinamo Bucharest
Spartak Moscow/Celta Vigo vs Werder Bremen/Ajax