Among the Brazilian teams' opponents are River Plate, Boca Juniors and Real Potosí
GLOBOESPORTE.COM
Santos, Fluminense, Flamengo and São Paulo already have their places guaranteed in the next edition of the Copa Libertadores
With Flamengo and Santos qualifying, 25 of the 38 teams that will compete in the 2008 Copa Libertadores are now known. Among Brazil's rivals, which will also be represented by Fluminense, São Paulo and a fifth club yet to be defined, there are traditional opponents and a newcomer.
Argentina will have the most spots (six), as it boasts the tournament's reigning champion, Boca Juniors. The country's other most traditional team, River Plate, is also confirmed. Completing the list are Estudiantes, three-time Libertadores champions, Arsenal, who will be competing for this year's Copa Sudamericana title, San Lorenzo, and Lanús.
Renato Augusto needed to receive oxygen at the altitude of Potosí
The dreaded altitude of Potosí
Another opponent in the 2008 edition that should be feared, not so much for its quality, is Bolivia's Real Potosí. This year's Apertura Tournament champion, the team plays its games at an altitude of almost 4 meters.
Flamengo and Paraná played there in the last Libertadores and struggled. The Rio de Janeiro team managed a heroic draw, but Paraná couldn't resist and was defeated. Midway through the year, FIFA stipulated an altitude limit of 3 meters, but only for World Cup qualifying matches.
The list of those already qualified also includes three Copa Libertadores champions: Uruguay's Nacional (winner in 1971, 1980 and 1988), Colombia's Nacional de Medellín (1989) and Chile's Colo Colo (1991).
Among the Brazilian teams guaranteed a spot in next year's tournament, only Fluminense didn't win. Santos lifted the trophy in 1962 and 1963; Flamengo in 1981; and São Paulo in 1992, 1993, and 2005.
Founded in 2004, the club debuts in the Copa Libertadores. A team will compete in the competition for the first time next year. Founded in 2004, Universidad San Martín of Peru secured a spot by winning that year's Apertura Tournament. In 2006, the team played in its first international tournament, the Copa Sudamericana.
Another surprise could come from Colombian football. Equidad, playing in the country's top flight for the first time, is in the final stage of the championship.
The draw for the 2008 Libertadores groups will be held on December 19, in Asunción (Paraguay), at the Conmebol headquarters.
Meet the 25 teams already qualified for the 2008 Copa Libertadores
Argentina (5 places + champion)\ Boca Juniors (last Libertadores champion)\ Estudiantes de La Plata (2006 Apertura champion)\ San Lorenzo (2007 Clausura champion)\ River Plate (classified by points)\ Arsenal (classified by points)\ Lanús (classified by points)\
Bolivia (3 spots)\ Real Potosí (2007 Apertura champion)\
Brazil (5 places)\ Fluminense (Brazilian Cup champion)\ São Paulo (Brazilian champion)\ Flamengo (classified by points)\ Santos (classified by points)\
Chile (3 places)\ Colo Colo (Apertura 2007 champion)\ Audax Italiano (already qualified by points)\
Colombia (3 places)\ Nacional de Medellín (Apertura 2007 champion)\
Ecuador (3 places)\ LDU (already classified by score)\
Mexico (3 vacancies)\ Undefined\
Paraguay (3 places)\ Sportivo Luqueño (Apertura Tournament champion)\ Libertad (Clausura Tournament champion)\ Cerro Porteño (classified by points)\
Peru (3 places)\ Universidad San Martín (Apertura 2007 champion)\
Uruguay (3 places)\ Danubio (Uruguayan champion 2006/07)\ Nacional (Liguilla champion 2007)\ Montevideo Wanderers (Liguilla runner-up 2007)\
Venezuela (3 places)\ Caracas (Apertura 2006 champion)\ Unión Maracaibo (Clausura 2007 champion)\ Mineros de Guayana (classified by points)\