So how an earth do I end up playing a team in the Champions League Semi Final who is 1 level higher than myself?
if your team is in the "border" between the two levels, this can happen.
This season my team NIK FC, lv16, is playing with many teams lv15.
Few seasons ago, my other team, lv9, played in a CH.L. with teams lv10.
Of course this is not fair.
If there are not enough same level teams, there should be promote for 5th (or 6th) position of the league.