Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 193: Europa League Group Stage Draw—Live 1

Chapter 193: Europa League Group Stage Draw—Live 1

The camera panned across the grand stage, the UEFA Europa League trophy gleaming under the bright studio lights.

The atmosphere was formal yet buzzing with anticipation, and the soft murmur of voices from club representatives filling the air.

Benjamin and Adam sat forward, their eyes locked on the screen. The official broadcast had begun.

A well-dressed man stepped up to the podium, adjusting his microphone. His composed yet authoritative presence commanded the room.

"Good evening, everyone," he began smoothly. "Welcome to the 2012/13 UEFA Europa League group stage draw here in Monaco. My name is Giorgio Marchetti, UEFA’s Director of Competitions, and it is my pleasure to oversee tonight’s proceedings."

Adam let out a low whistle. "Marchetti himself. They really pulled out all the stops."

Benjamin simply nodded, his focus never leaving the screen.

Marchetti continued, his voice steady. "Before we begin the draw, I would like to introduce a special guest—someone who knows exactly what it takes to succeed in this great competition. A man who has left his mark on Dutch football and beyond... Patrick Kluivert, former Netherlands international and this year’s UEFA Europa League Final Ambassador."

The audience responded with a polite round of applause as a tall, broad-shouldered figure strode confidently onto the stage. Patrick Kluivert, still carrying the aura of a top striker even in retirement, shook Marchetti’s hand before turning to address the room.

"Thank you, Giorgio," Patrick Kluivert said with a warm smile. "It’s an honor to be here tonight. The Europa League has given us so many incredible moments over the years, and I have no doubt that this season will be no different."

Adam nudged Benjamin lightly. "Man, that guy was a monster back in the day."

Benjamin didn’t look away from the screen. "One of the best Dutch strikers ever," he muttered. "He could finish from anywhere."

As the officials spoke, the camera occasionally cut to various club representatives seated in the hall.

Some leaned in, whispering discussions, while others remained motionless, waiting for their fate to be decided.

Meanwhile, across the room, Ashley sat slouched on the couch with her phone in hand, scrolling through her social feed with zero interest in the broadcast. The Europa League draw wasn’t exactly her idea of entertainment.

Adam glanced over at her, shaking his head. "You could at least pretend to care."

Ashley didn’t even look up. "I’m pretending. In my head."

Benjamin smirked but didn’t comment. His eyes remained glued to the screen as Marchetti gestured toward the large transparent bowls that contained the team names.

"And now," Marchetti announced, "let us begin the draw."

Benjamin exhaled slowly, his fingers unconsciously gripping the armrest.

This was the moment they had been waiting for.

The room quieted as the cameras zoomed in on the large glass bowls, each filled with white spheres containing the names of Europe’s hopefuls.

The tension in the studio was palpable, a mixture of nerves and anticipation spreading through the crowd.

Marchetti cleared his throat and adjusted his stance. "The UEFA Europa League group stage features 48 teams," he began, his voice measured and authoritative. "These teams have qualified through direct entry, Champions League playoff eliminations, and Europa League playoff rounds. They have been divided into four seeding pots based on their UEFA club coefficients."

A massive digital screen behind him flickered to life, revealing the list of teams.

Adam leaned forward, eyes scanning the names. "There it is," he muttered, nudging Benjamin lightly. "Pot three. AZ Alkmaar."

Benjamin didn’t respond, his focus locked onto the screen.

Marchetti continued, "Now, let’s take a look at the teams eligible for this season’s group stage."

The camera shifted to a breakdown of the four pots.

[Pot 1 - The heavyweights]

{[Atlético Madrid, Olympique Lyon, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Tottenham, PSV, Sporting CP, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Olympique de Marseille, VfB Stuttgart, Girondins Bordeaux, and Twente]}—names that carried weight across Europe and are all brimming with history and expectation.

Adam let out a low whistle. "That’s a tough crowd."

Benjamin’s gaze remained fixed, his fingers tapping absently against his knee.

[Pot 2 - The challengers]

{[Napoli, Athletic Blibao, Club Brugge, Udinese, Hannover 96, FC Basel, Hapoel Tel-Aviv, Rubin Kazan, Fenerbahçe, PAOK, Metalist Kharkiv, and FC that could hurt anyone on their day.

[Pot 3 - The unpredictables]

{[Newcastle United, Lazio, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Viktoria Plzen, Partizan Belgrade, Young Boys, Genk, Rosenborg, Sparta Prague, Levante, Steaua București, and Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk]}

[Pot 4 - The unknowns]

{[Molde, AIK, AEL Limassol, Helsingborg, Academica Coimbra, FC Fehérvár, Hapoel Kiryat Shmona, NK Maribor, Rapid Wien, Maritimo, Neftçi Baku. And there it was—AZ Alkmaar]}—Teams with everything to prove.

Adam exhaled. "There we are."

Benjamin’s jaw tightened slightly

Giorgio Marchetti gave the room a moment to take in the names before continuing, his voice calm but firm. "As always, clubs from the same association cannot be drawn into the same group. Each group will contain one team from each pot."

The tension in the air thickened.

"Let us now begin the draw," he declared.

The camera shifted to Patrick Kluivert, who smiled as he reached into the first bowl.

Benjamin inhaled deeply, his grip tightening on the couch’s armrest.

This was it.

The cameras zoomed in as Patrick Kluivert reached into the transparent bowl, his fingers swirling around the white spheres before finally plucking one out.

He handed it to Giorgio Marchetti, who cracked it open with practiced ease. The studio held its breath.

"The first team in Group A is..." Giorgio Marchetti paused for effect. "Liverpool."

A murmur spread through the room. The name carried an unmistakable weight. A historic club in England, and a European powerhouse.

"No surprises there," Adam muttered, shaking his head. "Liverpool will be the top favorites, no doubt."

Benjamin gave a small nod but remained silent. His eyes stayed glued to the screen.

Patrick Kluivert reached in again, retrieving another sphere.

"In Group B, we have... Atlético de Madrid."

More nods of approval from the representatives. The Spanish giants had lifted the Europa League trophy not long ago, and their presence alone made Group B a daunting challenge for whoever joined them.

"Simeone’s men," Adam murmured. "They won’t mess around."

*****

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A/N: You guys can now join my discord channel to get real-time access to Benjamin’s career progression, Character arts, League Table, Player stats. And as a reward, you guys will be able to vote for potential club moves for Benjamin.

Discord: .gg/x7FCyZGz6T

Also, I hope you guys are enjoying this story so far? If you are, please don’t forget to leave a comment and consider writing a review as it’ll help my book. I’d be delighted to hear your feedback.