The 2014-15 UEFA Champions League is about to enter the quarterfinals.

Just eight European teams remain for the chance to be named "Best Soccer Club in Europe."

One of the biggest surprises thus far has been the absence of English Premier League teams. Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal all qualified past the group stage and into the knockout phase. Each have failed to advance to the quarterfinals. Arsenal lost because of aggregate goals against Monaca, as did Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain. Manchester City once again couldn't handle Barcelona, just like last year.

At this point in time, there are just eight teams remaining. They are listed below:

1. Real Madrid (Spain)
2. Barcelona (Spain)
3. Atletico Madrid (Spain)
4. Bayern Munich (Germany)
5. Juventus (Italy)
6. FC Porto (Portugal)
7. Paris Saint-Germain (France)
8. Monaco (France)

For historical perspective, Spain-based clubs have done the best at the Champions League having won a combined 14 titles. Italy and England have the second-most with 12 each, while Germany has seven. As far as the single most successful clubs, Real Madrid leads the way with 10 championships and AC Milan has seven. Real Madrid is the defending champions having beat Atletico Madrid last year in the finals.

As for this year, there's no doubt the very best clubs are still in play. Most eyes are focused on Barcelona and Real Madrid. The two represent arguably the largest soccer rivalry of all-time know as the "El Clasico" in La Liga, and they have what many consider the two best players in the world, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Last year, Barcelona lost in the round of quarterfinals to Atletico Madrid. This year, Barcelona began by dominated Group F with a 5-0-1 record, and took out their anger against their EPL rivals. Barcelona eliminated Manchester City with two victories. Luis Suarez scored two goals in the first game. The last Barcelona Champions League victory came in 2011 against Manchester United.

Real Madrid is looking to win their second consecutive championship, and they're well on their way. They eliminated the German squad known as Schalke 04 in the round of 16. Ronaldo scored three goals in those two games to kick Real Madrid to the quarterfinals. If Real Madrid can win the Champions League title this season, they would be the first club to do so since AC Milan did so in 1989 and 1990. Hard to believe no other squad has done so since.

Another big storyline to follow is Messi vs. Ronaldo, as usual. Incredibly, both Messi and Ronaldo sit atop the career all-time leaders for most goals scored in the Champions League with 75 each. The last time Barcelona and Real Madrid faced off against one another in the Champions League playoff was 2011. Barcelona won both games with Messi scoring two goals in Game 1. That was the year Barcelona won the championship.

Spain has the biggest representation of the "elite eight" with three clubs, but other nations are still looking to make their claim for best European soccer country. France has two teams still in play, Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco. Neither Paris Saint-Germain or Monaca have ever never won it all. Juventus last won the Champions League in 1996 while FC Porto's last title came in 2004. In 2013 Bayern Munich was crowned champions.

The Champions League will resume play on Tuesday, April 14 for the quarterfinals. The championship will be played on Saturday, June 6 in Germany.

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