Although Ghanem's Legia, Sherif and Ghaly's Feyenoord and Zidan's Mainz failed to reach the UEFA Cup Group Stages, there will still be four Egyptians in the competition's first rated round. Besiktas, PAOK and Strasbourg are in the pots for the draw, meaning Ahmed Hassan, Amir Azmy, Shikabala and Hosni Abd Rabo will all see European action this season.

Hassan in last UEFA Cup game

The pots have been made, with Besiktas in the strong Pot 1, meaning they will avoid the champions CSKA Moscow and the likes of AS Roma, whom Mido is still contracted to. PAOK are in Pot 2 and Strasbourg in the 4th of the 5 pots.

There will be 8 groups of 5 teams.

Every club will play the other in its group just the once, two at home and two away.

There will be three qualifiers from each of the 8 groups, after each of the 5 teams plays the other once. These will be joined by a third place finisher from each Champions League group. The top team will play the 3rd team, and 2nd place will play the entrants from the Champions League.