As the UEFA Cup covers a wide range of clubs all over Europe many of which have qualified through different routes the format is still the same and it is a fairly easy format.

From the 1999-2000 season the UEFA Cup has eight rounds- qualifying through to the final. For the matches up to and including the semi finals are played over two matches- on a home and away basis. And whichever team scores the biggest aggregate of goals goes through to the next round. If the teams have the same number of goals then whichever team scores the most away qualifies.

If a winner cannot be decided by this, then the teams will play extra time of two periods lasting for 15 minutes and is played in the second match. During the extra time if the teams still have the same number of goals then the away goals count double, meaning the visiting team goes through. If after the two periods of extra time and no winner has been decided then the winner is will be declared the winner by penalty kicks.
The UEFA Cup has had one format change which from the 1997-98 is decided in a single match.

In the 2002-03 season saw a new rule added where a ‘silver goal’ comes into play should it be required in the extra time. For if the scores are tied at the end of normal time, a period of 15 minutes extra time is played and if one team is in the lead at the end of this period then that team is declared the winners of the match. And if the two teams are still tied at the end of the first 15 minutes, then a second period of 15 minutes is played to decide the winner.

If at the end of this if the teams are still locked together on points at the end of this 15 minute period, the winner will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.