Copa Libertadores 2009: Another Story Begins...How They Qualified

The 49th edition of South America’s pinnacle club competition delivered one of the enchanting fairytales of 2008 as LDU Quito created history by becoming the first club from Ecuador to taste victory in the competition as they broke the tag as ‘underdogs’ to push aside Fluminense of Brazil in the exhilarating two-legged final. The finale to last season’s mantelpiece – the feared penalty shootout - paid testament to the incredible nature of the encounter as eight goals over both legs still could not distinguish the crowned winner from the lonesome runner-up.

Matters now switch to the 50th edition in 2009 as those participating in this year’s contest have been concluded after Chivas and Pachuca sealed their names by finishing as winners and runners-up in the Mexican InterLiga respectively. Soccer City FC’s guide to South America’s most treasured club competition begins with a look at how the 38 teams qualified.