Copa Libertadores 2003

[Red Devil]

ASUNCION, Dec 10 - Santos, returning to the Libertadores Cup after an 18-year absence, were given a relatively straightforward group as the draw for the 2003 competition was made on Tuesday.

Santos were paired in group three with Paraguay's 12 de Octubre, the weakest of the three Ecuadorian representatives and four-times runners-up America of Colombia.

The Brazilian club won the competition, South America's equivalent of the European Champions League, twice during Pele's heydey in the 1960s but have became a middle-of-the-table outfit for much of the last two decades.

Their last Libertadores Cup appearance was in 1985 but this year has seen signs of a revival with the club reaching the Brazilian championship final.

Ecuador's team in the group will be the one which finishes third in the country's championship, due to finish this month.

Although the South American Football Confederation (CSF) announced a 30 percent cut in prize money for the 2003 tournament, there were few signs of financial hardship at an event full of pomp.

Around 300 people watched the draw, which was followed by a lavish dinner, at a five-star hotel and yacht club on the banks of the River Paraguay outside Asuncion.

Argentina's 1986 World Cup goalkeeper Nery Pumpido, Paraguay striker Miguel Benitez and former Argentine defender Quique Wolff took turns to pull mini-footballs from plastic bowls in the traditional soccer-draw style.

Defending champions Olimpia, coached by Pumpido, got a trickier draw as they landed in group four along with Argentina's Gimnasia-La Plata, a Chilean team still to be decided and Peru's Alianza Lima.

Mexico's UNAM, making their debut in the tournament, were thrown in at the deep end.

The team coached by former Real Madrid and Mexico striker Hugo Sanchez were drawn in group five along with Brazil's Gremio, five-times champions Penarol of Uruguay and Bolivar of Bolivia.

Gremio, champions in 1983 and 1995, and Penarol are both tough opponents famed for their uncompromising style and giving visiting teams a hostile reception.

Bolivar, although theoretically weaker, enjoy the advantage of playing at 3,600 metres above sea level in La Paz. They also have Joaquin Botero, who scored 49 goals in the Bolivian championship this year.

Boca Juniors, Argentina's most popular club and champions in 2000 and 2001, were drawn in group seven along with three teams still to be decided - the second representatives of Ecuador, Chile and Colombia.

Boca's arch-rivals River Plate were drawn in group one and will face the eventual Ecuadorian champions, the third Colombian team and Paraguayan champions Libertad in a group that could be strewn with pitfalls.

Source: Reuters

[Juan]

Damn Cruz Azul and Pumas, they knocked out the Venezuelan teams.

Just wait til next year, with Caracas FC.

[Red Devil]

Group 1
River Plate (Argentina)
Emelec (Ecuador)
Libertad (Paraguay)
Deportivo Cali (Colombia)

Group 2
Paysandú (Brasil)
Universidad Católica (Chile)
Cerro Porteño (Paraguay)
Sporting Cristal (Perú)

Group 3
Santos FC (Brasil)
El Nacional (Ecuador)
12 de Octubre (Paraguay)
América de Cali (Colombia)

Group 4
Olimpia (Paraguay)
Gimnasia y Esgrima L. P. (Argentina)
Chile 3
Alianza Lima (Perú)

Group 5
Gremio (Brasil)
Bolívar (Bolivia)
Peñarol (Uruguay)
UNAM (México)

Group 6
Racing Club (Argentina)
Oriente Petrolero (Bolivia)
Nacional (Uruguay)
Universitario (Perú)

Group 7
Boca Juniors (Argentina)
Barcelona (Ecuador)
Colo Colo (Chile)
Independiente Medellín (Colombia)

Group 8
Corinthians (Brasil)
The Strongest (Bolivia)
Fénix (Uruguay)
Cruz Azul (México)

Competition starts in February 2003.

Red Devil

[Juan]

I have a gut feeling about Pumas UNAM, although Gremio is traditionally strong. If Argentina´s big two get it together in the coming months, they could accomplish big teams.

[OAnimal]

Corinthians could win this one. Unless Santos keeps Diego and Robinho in their lineup, of course...

[JD]

I was told to watch out for Rubinho (roo - been - jo) at Santos is this the same player apparently he is awesome

[Roberto Abrego]

probably the next Pele

[JD]

robert - have you seen him play or is it simply a young striker @Santos comparison? I've been told he's awesome but have yet to see him play at all.

[Juan]

Plus, every kid with some talent over there is hailed as that.

[Roberto Abrego]

Originally posted by Juan
Plus, every kid with some talent over there is hailed as that.

that is true bu tthis guy is different,he played for the samew club that pele did and he make that team to arise again....

[Juan]

Well, we can get a good look at them (Diego and Robinho) and the South American U-20 Championship starting tomorrow. I´m sure I will.

[Jessica]

Dale Boca

[J R R]

Originally posted by Juan
Plus, every kid with some talent over there is hailed as that.

thats so true just like every kid in Argentina is the new maradona
but robinho is pretty amazing

santos will go far in libertadores but boca will win it i have a good feeling especially now biachi is back

Dale Boca
Vamos Xeneizes

[Rigalt]

Well I hope my team, Grêmio FBPA, can do well this year, specially because we are in our 100 th year as a football club. Gremio has lots of financial problems but still has some players with a lot of experience, so I think we have a chance to do a good competition.

I also think for us the first game (4-feb against UNAM in Porto Alegre) will be very important because Gremio always lose playing in La Paz and Penharol is also a though team to beat....

Ricardo

[Juan]

Originally posted by J R R
i have a good feeling especially now biachi is back

Me too, mate. Me too.