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Chapter 230 This luck is incredible!
"Finally, it's time to draw lots... Hah—" Tang Xingmei let out a long yawn.

Wang Lie advised her, "If you're sleepy, go to sleep. Don't stay up late."

"It's alright, it'll be soon anyway." Tang Xingmei still insisted on seeing her ritual through to the end.

"Then I'll talk to you a bit more," Wang Lie said.

"Okay. Do you have any expectations for the results of this draw?"

Wang Lie was amused by his wife's question: "You sound like a reporter conducting an interview..."

Tang Xingmei also came to her senses and laughed, "Then treat it as a drill. Let's practice once, and then you'll know how to answer reporters' questions. Ahem, Mr. Wang, what kind of group would you like the team to be placed in?"

"Actually, I don't have high expectations. Let's just let things take their course. It's Tyne's first time in the Champions League, and he's playing against a fourth-tier team. He's unlikely to get a good draw."

Unlike the team's general manager, Will Foster, Wang Lie had no unrealistic fantasies.

"What if we get drawn into the group of death?"

“Then let them die. The ‘Group of Death’,” Wang Lie explained his interpretation of the Group of Death.

The two chatted back and forth, while the live lottery ceremony officially began.

There were four guests who drew lots, each responsible for drawing teams of different levels, and then placing them into different groups in order.

The draw order starts with the top-seeded teams (those in the first tier) and ends with the teams in the fourth tier.

The guests began drawing lots, first taking out a small ball from the box marked with the first tier. Inside was a folded piece of paper, which was unfolded facing the camera, while the host announced the team's name.

On the large screen behind them, the team names will appear in the corresponding groups, which completes one draw.

The first team drawn was Eisá Munich, who were placed in Group A.

The criteria for seeding teams in the Champions League are as follows: first, the defending champion of the Champions League; then, seven teams are selected from the highest to the lowest UEFA coefficient, for a total of eight teams as seeded teams.

Therefore, sometimes the league champion is not the seeded team, but the league runner-up becomes the seeded team.

This is because the league runner-up has accumulated more European competition points than the champion over the past few seasons.

The seeded team in Group B is also the league runner-up – the Scotsmen, last season's Premier League runner-up.

This season's Champions League features seven players from the Chinese national team.

They are Wang Lie from Tyne, Chi Zhen from Scorsese, Fu Xiaofeng from Lille Athletic, Su Ju from Liar, Tan Xingchang from Fortn, Song You from Alpi, and Fang Tao from Vienna Storm.

Chi Zhen is the first to appear now.

FC Madrid in Group C are neither the league champions nor the Champions League winners last season, but because they were the Champions League champions for the previous two seasons, they have enough UEFA coefficient points to remain a seeded team this season.

When they were drawn into Group D, the second Chinese player appeared – Song You, whose team, Alpi, was the Serie A champion and a traditional powerhouse last season, and their European competition points were enough to make them a seeded team.

Group E consists of last season's Ligue 1 champions, Paris Saint-Germain.

Group F was drawn against Ruhr United, the "German treble winners" of last season.

“It’s amazing that Heldon could find a job. How did Ruhr Steel Union take a liking to him?” Tang Xingmei thought of Sven Heldon, the culprit who had hurt her husband, when she saw Ruhr Steel Union. Heldon was now coaching the team.

“I don’t know…maybe because Heldon can speak German?” Wang Lie made a joke, because Heldon was selected by Soforth because he could speak fluent English.

Tang Xingmei was indeed amused by her husband's joke: "Ha!"

Wang Lie continued, "I remember when Heldon first came to Sofia, he promised the team that he would definitely lead them to the Champions League next season. Now it seems he has fulfilled his promise, except this team... isn't Sofia. Sigh, I wonder what Hall thought when he saw this scene... This broadcast was unprofessional; they didn't even give Mr. Hall a close-up shot..."

Sofia General Manager Jonathan Hall was also present at the draw, but he was not representing a Champions League team; rather, he was representing a Europa League team. After the Champions League group stage draw, there are still group stage draws for the Europa League and the Europa League.

Tang Xingmei laughed so hard she was wide awake: "You're so naughty!"

The draw results for the remaining two groups were also released amidst the couple's complaints:

Group G: Clayton Arena.

Group H defending champions Atlético Barcelona

Next up are the second-tier teams.

The first to be drawn was the Hackney Knights, who finished third in the Premier League last season.

The second-tier team grouped with Chi Zhen is PSV Eindhoven XI, last season's Eredivisie champions.

"This is a good draw. PSV Eindhoven's eleven players are considered weak among second-tier teams."

Wang Lie nodded and commented upon seeing the result.

He hopes that all Chinese players participating in the Champions League can at least reach the knockout stage.

※※※

"Wow, that's a good draw, Ah Zhen!"

In the "Three Musketeers" group chat, Su Ju congratulated Chi Zhen.

Chi Zhen responded with a grinning emoji.

Because the Champions League seeding is based on the European competition points accumulated over the past few seasons, many strong teams are actually placed in the second tier.

For example, the Hackney Cavaliers were considered a second-tier team.

In addition, Milan City, the runner-up in Serie A and champion of the Italian Cup last season, is also a second-tier team.

Not being drawn into the same group as these strong teams is indeed good news for the Scots team.

Wang Lie wasn't the only one watching the group stage draw; many players were also watching the live stream and paying close attention to the results.

※※※

The draw for the second-tier teams is still ongoing, with the host announcing the teams that have been drawn one by one.

"Group C, the Romans."

"Group D, FC Lisbon"

"This draw is great, Lao Song. We're definitely in the round of 16!"

Fu Xiaofeng sent a message to Song You on WeChat.

Song You quickly responded with a facepalm emoji: "Don't talk nonsense!"

Fu Xiaofeng grinned: "Unless the third-tier team in your group is Lille, what's there to worry about?"

Atlético Lille were the runners-up in Ligue 1 last season and are a traditionally strong team in Ligue 1 that has participated in European competitions for a long time. Although they have participated in the Europa League more times than the Champions League... among the best of the worst, Atlético Lille are indeed a strong team in the third tier, especially in recent seasons, where they have performed very consistently. They are one of the few teams in Ligue 1 that can compete with giants like Paris Saint-Germain and vie for the championship.

If FC Lisbon were placed in the third tier, they would be considered a strong team, but since they were placed in the second tier, they are among the top teams – near the bottom.

As long as the third-tier teams in this group are not Atlético Lille, the strength hierarchy is quite clear:
Italian powerhouse Alpi stands alone, while FC Lisbon and the other two teams are vying for the remaining qualifying spot.

※※※

"Group E, Raopoli."

"Group F, Milan."

"Group G, Stuttgart Unicorns."

"Group H, Fortsfield."

"Tan Xingchang is in Group F... the same group as the defending champions. Let's see who the other two teams are. It's best if we don't have any 'Chinese derby' in the group stage..." Wang Lie was still analyzing how far the Chinese national team players could go in the Champions League.

Of the seven teams with Chinese players, two are top-tier teams: Scorsese and Alpi.

One of them is a second-tier team: Fortnite.

One of them is a third-tier team: Atlético Lille.

The remaining three are all fourth-tier teams: Tyne, Liar, and Sturm Vienna.

If a team with Chinese players is drawn into the same group, it's tantamount to "fighting among themselves".

Of course, some people think this would increase the chances of Chinese players making it to the knockout stage. If a team has one Chinese player, the chance of that Chinese player advancing to the knockout stage is one in four. But if there are two teams with Chinese players, the chance is one in half.

However, Wang Lie hopes that every Chinese player participating in the Champions League can make it to the knockout stage, which is why he doesn't want to see a "Chinese derby" in the group stage.

In fact, Wang Lie's idea was somewhat wishful thinking and unrealistic.

After all, of the three teams in the fourth tier, besides his team Tyne, Liar and Sturm Vienna are both unlikely to make it to the knockout stage...

※※※

All the second-tier teams have been drawn; next up are the third-tier teams.

Fu Xiaofeng put down his phone and began to focus intently on the television screen.

His team, Atlético Lille, is a third-tier team. Now that they are drawing third-tier teams, he naturally needs to take it seriously and give the Champions League the respect it deserves.

The first team drawn from the third tier was Istanbul FC, the Turkish Super League champions.

The second team drawn was Bern, the Swedish Allsvenskan champion.

Carthage, the third runner-up in the Portuguese league.

The fourth team in La Liga, Real Sebastián.

The fifth Eredivisie runner-up, Young Boys Rotterdam.

The sixth one...

"Group F, Atlético Lille."

The host finally announced the name of his team.

As soon as Lille's name was announced, the television broadcast immediately cut to the face of Lille's manager, who shook his head with a wry smile.

The French television commentator broadcasting the draw lamented, "This isn't a good draw for Atlético Lille; this group is a death trap..."

Fu Xiaofeng also frowned.

Being drawn into the same group as the Bundesliga champions, the Europa League champions, and the Serie A runners-up is indeed a very bad result for Atlético Lille.

If they were drawn into Group D, alongside Alpi and FC Lisbon, Lille could compete with FC Lisbon for a spot in the knockout stage.

The current outcome doesn't mean there's absolutely no chance, but Fu Xiaofeng feels the hope is definitely slim...

Just as Fu Xiaofeng was speechless about the lottery results, he received a WeChat message from Song You: "Damn, this is a bit of a disaster, Lao Fu!"

Fu Xiaofeng replied with a sighing emoji: "I knew I had bad luck with gacha pulls..."

※※※

"Wow, Fu Xiaofeng's group..."

Wang Lie, watching on television, couldn't help but gasp when he saw the result.

Tang Xingmei asked, "The death squad?"

"Yes, the group with the most deaths so far."

The so-called "group of death" doesn't mean that all the teams in the group are strong, but rather that they are evenly matched.

Although Ruhr United were the treble winners last season, they changed their manager this season, and their absolute strength is not much greater than that of Milan City and Atlético Lille. Milan City were the runners-up in Serie A last season, and they can compete with Alpi in Italy. In European competitions, they are even more successful than Alpi.

Lille may not seem as strong as their two opponents, but as the strongest team in the third tier, the gap in strength is not too wide.

So when these three teams meet to compete for two spots in the knockout stage, every match in this group is expected to be a fierce and chaotic battle.

As for who the fourth team in this group is, it's no longer important; it doesn't affect the level of difficulty in this group.

“Fu Xiaofeng’s luck is really not good…” his wife, Tang Xingmei, sighed.

Wang Lie laughed: "You're right, this kid's luck is really bad. In those gacha games he plays, the more he wants a character, the harder it is to get him. No matter how much money he spends, he can't get him."

Tang Xingmei: "What does this have to do with the team draw?"

"metaphysics."

※※※

The third teams in the remaining two groups have been determined. La Liga third-placed FC Sundense is grouped with Clayton Sports and Stuttgart Unicorns. Greek champions Atlético Athens have been drawn into Group H, which includes defending champions Atlético Barcelona.

Next is the draw for the fourth tier of teams, which has the most Chinese players. Wang Lie's team, Tyne, is also in the fourth tier.

The draw guest responsible for selecting the teams in the fourth tier was Gonzalo Miguel Brando, the Spanish midfield maestro who retired last summer.

Upon seeing him appear on stage, Tang Xingmei said, "If I remember correctly, Brando is younger than you, right?"

Wang Lie: "Yes, he was born in 2000, so he's thirty-seven years old this year."

"He retired last year... that means he retired at thirty-six?"

"He achieved a career Grand Slam, winning every title he could possibly win. Madrid wouldn't let him retire, so he had to go back to his hometown team. At 36, he had no more ambitions, so retiring is perfectly normal."

Tang Xingmei laughed and said, "I think that when he was thirty-seven, he was already a guest at the Champions League draw ceremony, while you are thirty-eight and still working hard in Tyne."

"Because I still have something to strive for..."

As the couple were talking, Brando had already reached into the box containing the balls for the fourth-tier teams.

He quickly pulled out a small ball, unfolded it, and inside was a folded piece of paper.

Upon seeing this, Tang Xingmei suddenly couldn't continue her phone conversation with her husband. A wave of tension washed over her, making her wide awake.

When Wang Lie noticed the phone suddenly went silent, he assumed his wife had fallen asleep or the signal had dropped, so he asked, "Hello? Asleep?"

His wife didn't reply.

"Hello? Is the signal bad?"

Still no one responded.

At the same time, Brando unfolded the note, showing the side with his name printed on it to the camera lens.

At the same time, the host announced the name of the first team drawn into the fourth tier:
"Group A, Copenhagen 1900."

After the presentation, Copenhagen 1900's name and team logo automatically appeared in Group A on the large screen behind Brando.

Only then did Tang Xingmei breathe a sigh of relief and reply to him, "Stop fooling around, focus!"

Wang Lie was amused: "What am I focusing on?"

※※※

The group stage results are out, and since it's a group of death anyway, Fu Xiaofeng doesn't care who the fourth team is.

There's a sense of relaxation, like "I'm tired, so let's just destroy it."

He first spent 20,000 yuan on the game, and then started a revenge-style gacha pull.

As for the live television broadcast, he didn't even look up or glance at it.

"Group A, Copenhagen 1900."

When the live commentator announced the team's name, he let it go in one ear and out the other, his attention completely focused on the card draw results.

It's been almost two months since the limited edition skin "Saint's Glorious Banner" for "Golden Princess Lilina" was released, and he's spent a lot of money but still can't get it no matter what he tries.

This limited edition skin is not eligible for the in-game pity system.

If a player still cannot draw other character cards after a certain number of draws, one must be forcibly given to the player as a guarantee.

However, when the game officially released this limited-edition skin, "Saintess's Glorious Banner," they specifically stated that there was no pity system; it was purely based on luck. Players might spend hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to pull for it and still not get it. Conversely, non-paying players might get it on their first try.

Furthermore, there is a limit to the number of times you can draw this limited edition skin each day. In other words, even if you want to spend money, you can't just spend as much as you want. You can't draw infinitely just because you have money.

With its extremely limited quantity and stringent acquisition requirements, whoever possesses it will undoubtedly be the coolest player in the game.

He thought that since he had such bad luck in the Champions League group stage draw, according to the law of conservation of fortune, would his luck be better in the game's card draw?

I did a ten-pull, but didn't get it.

"Group B, Lial."

Another ten-pull, still no luck.

※※※

“Damn, let’s have a derby match between the two of us…” Su Ju said to Chi Zhen in the “Three Musketeers” group.

Chi Zhen sent a facepalm emoji: "I won't hold back, Su Ju."

"That's what I'm saying! If you want to challenge Brother Wang, you'll have to get past me first!"

Yue Hang: "You two, stop fighting." (gif)

※※※

"Group C, Berlin Stars."

Wang Lie shook his head and sighed, "If Chu Yu were still with Star Berlin, he could also participate in the Champions League. It's a pity... If he can stay in Europe, he should try not to go back to China to play football. I'm afraid his spirit will be lost if he goes back to China."

Tang Xingmei complained, "Chu Yu is playing very well domestically, and his form is also very good. Otherwise, why would He Zhenyong continue to call him up to the national team?"

"That's why I feel it's a pity. With such good form and performance, it would have been so much better if they had stayed in Europe..."

"Group D, Vienna Storm."

"Tsk, Fang Tao and Song You have clashed, another Chinese derby..." Wang Lie sighed as he looked at the four teams in Group D.

Tang Xingmei said, "Stop worrying about others. There are still four groups left, and Tyne hasn't come out yet."

As the number of remaining groups dwindled, Tang Xingmei grew increasingly nervous.

This means that the chances of Tyne being selected are getting higher and higher; maybe he'll be in the next group...

If she remembered correctly, Group E consisted of Paris Saint-Germain, Raopoli, and Young Boys Rotterdam.

This group is actually a good option!

but……

"Group E, Glasgow Sport."

"Ah!" Tang Xingmei sighed in disappointment.

※※※

Not out, not out, not out...

Still no release!

Fu Xiaofeng gritted his teeth as he looked at the results of the card draw.

He didn't care at all which group he was drawn into on TV, nor did he know.

The rainbow glow that represents the limited edition skin still didn't flash on the phone screen.

He didn't click "draw ten more times" anymore.

Because he only has ten chances left to draw today.

This is like getting a penalty kick opportunity in the final moments of a match that could be the game-winner.

He had to treat it with caution.

So he took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and silently prayed:

Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, may this be done hastily as the law commands! Bodhisattva, protect us! Heaven above, may blessings be upon all...

point!
He pressed the "Draw ten times" button.

After the animation effects, a dazzling burst of multicolored light suddenly erupted before his eyes, and then the limited-edition skin he had been dreaming of, "Saintess's Glorious Banner," appeared on the screen, accompanied by a text announcement:

"Congratulations to player 'Getting worked up makes me anxious! So I can't get worked up' for winning the [Limited Edition Battle Skin 'Saintess's Glorious Banner']!"

"Our princess Lilina is raising the banner of the legendary saintess high! And you, as her most loyal guardian, will become a new legend alongside her!"

He stared blankly, as if still doubting the reality of the result...

Just then, the French commentator on the television exclaimed in surprise:
"Group F, Tyne!"

The shout startled Fu Xiaofeng, snapping him out of his daze.

Then he suddenly didn't know whether he should watch TV or use his phone.

In the end, he looked at the television screen first.

The live broadcast witnessed the biggest commotion since the start of this Champions League group stage draw.

Some people were laughing, some were whispering, and some were clapping.

The television broadcast first focused on the face of Moritz Udogu, the general manager of Ruhr Steel Union, and then quickly located Will Foster, the general manager of Tyne, in the crowd.

The former seemed somewhat bewildered, as if he hadn't quite grasped the situation, while the latter frowned deeply, clearly dissatisfied with the draw result.

With a "ding-dong" sound and the vibration in his hand, Fu Xiaofeng looked down at his phone.

A message from Song You popped up on the screen:

"Old Fu, your luck... is absolutely incredible!"

※※※

Appendix: 2037-2038 UEFA Champions League group stage results:

Group A: Eiza Munich (Germany), Hackney Knights (England), Istanbul FC (Turkey), Copenhagen 1900 (Denmark)

Group B: Scots (England), PSV Eindhoven XI (Netherlands), Bern (Switzerland), Liar (Spain)

Group C: FC Madrid (Spain), Roma (Italy), Carthage (Portugal), Star Berlin (Germany)
Group D: Alpi (Italy), FC Lisbon (Portugal), Real Sebastián (Spain), Storm Viana (Austria)

Group E: Paris Saint-Germain (France), Raopoli (Italy), Junior Rotterdam (Netherlands), Glasgow Sport (Sudan)
Group F: Ruhr United (Germany), Milan City (Italy), Atlético Lille (France), Tyne (England)
Group G: Clayton Sports (England), Stuttgart Unicorns (Germany), Suncity (Spain), Belgrade (Serbia)

Group H: Atlético FC (Spain), Forsfield Town (Germany), Atlético Athens (Germany), Sport Antwerp (Belgium)
P.S. The Champions League and World Cup rules in this book follow the old rules and regulations of reality, and are not aligned with the latest expanded rules and regulations.

(End of this chapter)