Only theory can ruin
By Håvard Lindheim, 22 April 2004, 14:58
rbkweb.com reported a month ago that Rosenborg almost is guaranteed seeding in the 3rd qualifying round for Champion's League in August. It is not 100 % definite yet, but it looks good.
RBK must rely on two larger clubs not joining this autumn's Champion's League-qualifications if they shall be seeded in the 3rd round. These two options were pointed out by rbkweb.com as the most likely:
Galatasaray ends 3rd or worse in Turkey.
Neither Porto nor Boavista ends 2nd in Portugal.
The first scenario is already there. Galatasaray is at 6th with four games to go, a whooping 21 points behind Trabzonspor in second.
When it comes to Portugal, it is already clear that Boavista, that defends an 8th position with 41, cannot capture silver. It is however a tiny theoretical possibility that league leader Porto (76 points) will not win. With three matches to go, the team that has been seen at Lerkendal several times is six points ahead of Sporting Lissabon.
One can really take Porto's gold for granted, can't one (?).
At The Hut, RBK's HQ, they already cheer for the seeding:
"We are guaranteed seeding in the 3rd qualifying round," RBK Managing Director Nils Skutle tells Norwegian daily Dagbladet.
RBK captain Erik Hoftun is happy, but warns:
"We might still face good teams in the 3rd qualifying round, just not as good as Deportivo," Hoftun says.
Rosenborg shall play a 2nd qualifying stage as well, the matches being played July 28th and Aug 4th. If these don't go down the drain there will be a 3rd round, with matches at Aug 10th/11th and 24th/25th.
RBK must rely on two larger clubs not joining this autumn's Champion's League-qualifications if they shall be seeded in the 3rd round. These two options were pointed out by rbkweb.com as the most likely:
