And so it begins all over again. At 5pm the remaining 32 teams left in the Champions League will be flung into their respective groups for another campaign in the world's best quality competition.
As ever, the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and holders Real Madrid will be among the favourites, while Arsenal continue their long-lasting love affair with Europe's elite competition.
Recent finalists like Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid will also hope to make another big splash despite the tides that try to push them away from the pinnacle of European football.
And of course there are also some new faces that the competition have not seen for a while like Liverpool and ones that have bade farewell temporarily - they hope - like Manchester United and AC Milan.
But for me there are four teams that really pique the interest for different reasons...
Athletic Bilbao
The Basque side are famed for their policy of only recruiting players with (occasionally loose) connections to the Basque country and while it can sometimes be perceived as xenophobic or counter-productive in a football landscape awash with money, Athletic Club deserve to be commended for their bravery in sticking to their guns.
They have not reached the Champions League proper since 1998 but a fourth place finish under Ernesto Valverde last season and a win over a frail Napoli over two legs helped them through.
Athletic Bilbao's striker Iker Muniain (L) vies for the ball with SSC Napoli's Brazilian midfielder Jorginho Frello (R) during the UEFA Champions League play-off round second leg match between Athletic Bilbao and SSC Napoli at San Mames stadium in Bilbao, Basque Country, northern Spain, 27 August 2014. EPA/LUIS TEJIDO
While the Basque-only policy means the Champions League cash they earn will not be used to acquire global stars, the club will reinvest that income, perhaps by being better able to keep their key players like Iker Muniain after the likes of Fernando Llorente, Javi Martinez and Ander Herrera left for Europe's bigger clubs in recent years.
Last year, I focused on the club on Newstalk's Euro Footy Focus and there is plenty to be excited about with the new San Mames stadium (literally a stone's throw from the old one) which should bring in more revenue.
The renewed stadium of San Mames in Bilbao, northern Spain, which was especially illuminated 27 August night after Atletic Bilbao defeated Naples and qualified for the UEFA Champions League. EPA/LUIS TEJIDO
In Pot 3 of the draw, they will be a threat as Manchester United found out in the Europa League in 2012 ago when Marcelo Bielsa's Athletic outplayed Alex Ferguson's side on the way to the final.
Many of the current squad were involved back then and that experience should stand them in good stead.
Key Player: Iker Muniain. Highly-rated when he first came through, he is developing well and has become a key man. Scored a good goal in the first leg of the qualifier against Napoli.
Monaco
Once regulars in Europe, the Ligue 1 side disappeared off the scene for a period which saw them languishing in the French second division.
But one Russian billionaire later and they have been propelled back into the Champions League.
However, the principality side have many problems. Financial Fair Play and their lack of a revenue due to their small fanbase and stadium, seemed to have brought them to a standstill.
They sold James Rodriguez to Real Madrid without replacing him as of yet and star striker Radamel Falcao is also being linked with the Spanish giants.
Monaco have also made a woeful start to the new French league season under new manager Leonardo Jardim, and although sympathy should be limited given the fact they went down the Manchester City and Chelsea route, they do have exciting young players like full-back Layvin Kurzawa and winger Cedric Ferreira-Carrasco.
Radamel Falcao of AS Monaco in action during the French Ligue 1 match AS Monaco vs Montpellier HSC at La Mosson stadium, Montpellier, France, 10 January 2014. EPA/GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO
Dimitar Berbatov also provides touches of genius when he is in the mood, although more is expected of Portuguese playmaker Joao Moutinho who has been a disappointment thus far.
In Pot 4, they will find things difficult. But with experienced campaigners like Falcao, former Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho and ex-France midfielder Jeremy Toulalan they will be awkward opponents for any team they are drawn against.
Key player: If Falcao has fully recovered from his serious knee injury and stays at Monaco, he will provide a tigerish goal threat.
Roma
If Team 33's host Richard Chambers gets his wish, Roma will be the Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund of 2014/15 - only the Giallorossi will win go one step further and win the Champions League.
After a brilliant 2013/14 which would have won them Serie A in most other seasons, Roma have strengthened well and have depth in most positions.
So the likes Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi, Miralem Pjanic, Kevin Strootman (once the Dutchman returns from injury), and Gervinho have been boosted by the arrivals of Ashley Cole, Juan Iturbe and Seydou Keita among others.
However the loss of defensive rock Mehdi Benatia could prove to be an issue. It will also be interesting to see if they can maintain a strong European campaign from Pot 4 while pushing for a fourth Scudetto.
But they have an excellent manager in Rudi Garcia and along with Juventus will hope to give Italian football a lift in these dark times for the nation's domestic league flounders.
Key man: Totti is still king. That is all.
Sporting Lisbon
The Champions League group stage also welcomes back the club which produced Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo after a lengthy absence marked by financial worries and on-field struggles.
Last season brought plenty of hope, though as the Portuguese side pushed for the Primeira Liga title and settled for second which was enough for automatic qualification to Europe's elite competition.
The revenue from a season in the group stages will be a boost for the club which has a reasonable squad.
Drawn in Pot 3, Sporting have brought back Nani on loan from Manchester United, while the Portguese Busquets, William Carvalho is still at the club for now.
Key man: William Carvalho, should he stay
Malmo
There is one more club which will be enjoying a feelgood factor after reaching the group stage for the first time in aeons and Ger Deegan has profiled what qualification means for Swedish side Malmo.
