Euro clubs set for cup start

PARIS (AFP): The draw for the preliminary rounds of this season's European cup competitions will be made at Geneva yesterday.

Eight teams -- AC Milan, Ajax Amsterdam, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Benfica, Spartak Moscow and Anderlecht -- qualify automatically for the group stages of the Champions League after winning their league titles last season.

The first round of the Champions League will be played on Aug. 10 and 24, the Cup Winners' Cup on Aug. 11 and 25 and the UEFA Cup on Aug. 9 and 23.