Basel tester in UEFA for Newcastle

UEFA Cup poser for Christian Gross after his side drew Newcastle.

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NYON, Switzerland -- Basel coach Christian Gross gets another chance to prove his worth against English opposition as the Swiss league leaders were paired with Newcastle in the second round of the UEFA Cup.

Gross, unceromoniously dumped by Premier League Tottenham after a brief spell in charge, has led Basel to a record 13 straight domestic wins.

The seeded draw sees most of the big names avoid each other, but former European champions Liverpool and Steua Bucharest are paired.

The Romanians put out another Premier League team Southampton in the first round and Liverpool coach Gerard Houllier admitted on Friday: "It's a difficult draw but an exciting draw. Out of the teams we could have got I would say Steaua is the worst draw for us.

"They are a good side with some skillful players. They have a good history and of course were the first team from eastern Europe to win the European Cup.

"We played in Bucharest, against a different team, when we won the UEFA Cup a few years ago so hopefully that's a good omen for us."

Catalan giants Barcelona, another former European champion, drew Greek side Panionios and will be heavily favoured to progress.

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard said he knew little about Panionios.

"In many small European teams there are players with great talent. We have to pay attention to them, to watch them closely and prepare the two games the best way possible," he said.

Spanish league leaders Valencia, Champions League runners-up in 2000 and 2001, were drawn against Maccabi Haifa of Israel.