Holders Sevilla face tricky UEFA Cup group stage

NYON, Switzerland, Oct 3 (Reuters) UEFA Cup holders Sevilla were handed a tricky draw for the group stage today while former European champions Ajax Amsterdam look to have a straightforward passage to the knockout rounds.

Sevilla were paired with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, the 1981 finalists and 2005 semi-finalists, Czech league leaders Slovan Liberec, Swiss league leaders Grasshoppers and Portugal's Braga in Group C.

''It's always tough of course but when you come up against four clubs who are all doing well in their domestic leagues then it makes the challenge even harder,'' Sevilla board member Manuel Vizcaino told Reuters.

''The format of the group competition (with each side facing their opponents just once) also means you don't get a second chance.

''But we are also in the top three of the Spanish league and have shown that we have a well-knit group so now we are looking to build on last year's success.'' Sevilla thrashed England's Middlesbrough 4-0 in last season's final in Eindhoven.

Two former winners, Bayer Leverkusen and Tottenham Hotspur, clash in Group B along with Club Bruges, Besiktas and Dinamo Bucharest.

Ajax, who surprisingly failed to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League, are in Group F along with Sparta Prague, Espanyol, Austria Vienna and Zulte Waregem.

English Premier League side Newcastle United have been drawn in an attractive-looking Group H against former winners Eintracht Frankfurt, Celta Vigo, second-placed Serie A team Palermo and Turkey's second-placed team Fenerbahce.

''I spoke to our manager Glenn Roeder who told me that (Turkish midfielder) Emre is already jumping up and down with excitement about playing Fenerbahce,'' said Newcastle's chief operating officer Russell Cushing.

''I think it's a difficult draw but very attractive for the supporters home and away.'' Newcastle avoided a trip to Istanbul with their match against Fenerbahce being scheduled as a home tie, but Tottenham will travel to the Turkish city for their opening group stage fixture against Besiktas on October 19.

Matches between English and Turkish sides have raised security fears in the past with a fierce rivalry at national and club level on and off the pitch.

The top three in each of the eight groups of five teams progress to the last 32 where they are joined by the eight third-placed sides from the Champions League group stage.

The final is at Hampden Park, Glasgow on May 16.

Reuters AB RN1818