<p>The first-ever <strong>UEFA Women's Champions League</strong> Swiss-style league phase is in the books, but was the inaugural campaign in the new format a success? </p><br><p>On this edition of <strong>Full Time, </strong>host<strong> Jillian Sakovitz </strong>is joined by<strong> <em>The Athletic's </em>Tamerra Griffin </strong>to analyze how the opening round of the 2025-26 UWCL played out, from looking at the teams that impressed to those that crashed out, and also whether the new format delivered more drama and better matchups.</p><br><p>After that, Jillian and Tamerra turn their attention to the draw and break down the bracket for the rest of the tournament. Which of the 12 teams remaining are the favorites to win, and who is the dark horse to watch? What does it mean for Chelsea to finally avoid a semifinal meeting with Barcelona? Which knockout round matchups promise to deliver the best fireworks, food and football?</p><p>_______________</p><p>HOST: Jillian Sakovits</p><p>GUEST: Tamerra Griffin</p><p>PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes</p><p>VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin</p><p>EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen</p><p><strong>Referenced on the show:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6896560/2025/12/17/womens-champions-league-league-phase/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chelsea, Bayern reach Women’s Champions League quarter-finals: Who qualified, how do play-offs work?</a></p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6898939/2025/12/18/womens-champions-league-arsenal-chelsea-man-utd/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Women’s Champions League draw: Potential Arsenal-Chelsea, Barcelona-Real Madrid quarter-final ties</a></p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6899226/2025/12/19/chelsea-womens-champions-league-credentials-analysis/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chelsea’s attack is key in the Champions League. Will the handbrake be released?</a></p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6900594/2025/12/18/nwsl-players-association-opposes-new-star-player-rule-change-proposal/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NWSL Players Association opposes new star player rule change proposal</a></p><p>_______________</p><p>Get in touch:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠</a></p><p>Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime</p><p>Subscribe to our <strong>Youtube</strong> channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@theathleticfulltime" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a></p><p>Subscribe to the <strong>Full Time newsletter </strong><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/newsletters/full-time/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠⁠here⁠⁠</a></p><p>Visit the <strong>Yahoo Women's Sports hub</strong> <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/womens-sports/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠⁠here</a></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>