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Europa League Knockout Stage - What It Means
Written by Newcastle Utd
Newcastle are now certain of a place in the Europa League's round of 32 - here's what it means for those involved
By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Thursday night's draw with Maritimo means Newcastle are through to the Europa League knockout stages - of the round of 32 as it is officially known.
Depending on the result when United face Bordeaux next month, the Magpies could finish first or second in Group D but can not be caught by Club Brugge or Maritimo who are currently in third and fourth place respectively.
In all, 24 sides will qualify from the group stages with eight dropping down from the Champions League, and there will be a home and away leg in store for Alan Pardew's side in February.
For those clubs who qualify for the knockout stage, the regulations state:
1.) Round of 32
2.) 7.07 The 24 clubs qualified from the group stage will be joined by the 8 clubs that finish the group stage of the UEFA Champions League in third position.
3.) 7.08 The round of 32 pairings are determined by means of a draw. This round is played under the knockout system, on a home and away basis (two legs). The UEFA administration ensures that the following principles are respected.
a) Clubs from the same association cannot be drawn against each other.
b) The 12 UEFA Europa League group-winners and the 4 best third-ranked teams in the UEFA Champions League group stage are drawn against the 12 UEFA Europa League group runners-up and the remaining third-ranked teams in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
c) The winners and runners-up of the same group cannot be drawn against each other.
d) The UEFA Europa League group-winners and the four best third-ranked in the UEFA Champions League group stage play the return leg at home.