As a result, the clubs went straight to the quarter-finals after the group stage, while in previous seasons a first round had also been required.

Clubs from the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and West Germany were placed in 'A' groups; while clubs from Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Poland and Yugoslavia were placed in 'B' groups.

The eight group winners advanced to the knock-out rounds.

1 Chemie Leipzig progressed to the semi-finals on a coin toss.

1 Norrköping progressed to the Final on a coin toss.