Brighton & Hove Albion is making its European football debut, a milestone 122 years in the making, as they’ve been slotted into Group B of the 2023-24 Europa League alongside Ajax, Marseille, and AEK Athens.
The Seagulls clinched a historic sixth-place finish in the Premier League last season, paving their way to European competitions for the first time since the club’s inception in 1901.
Meanwhile, in other parts of the football galaxy, Liverpool is matched with LASK, Union St-Gilloise, and Toulouse in Group E. Not to be left out, West Ham is taking the pitch against Olympiacos, Freiburg, and TSC Backa Topola in Group A. Over in Group C, Rangers find themselves rubbing shoulders with Real Betis, Sparta Prague, and Aris Limassol.
Aston Villa will have to sit tight, crossing their cleats, until 13:00 BST to discover their opponents in the Europa Conference League draw.
The Complete Europa League Group Stage Draw:
- Group A: West Ham, Olympiacos, Freiburg, TSC Backa Topola
- Group B: Ajax, Marseille, Brighton, AEK Athens
- Group C: Rangers, Real Betis, Sparta Prague, Aris Limassol
- Group D: Atalanta, Sporting Lisbon, Sturm Graz, Rakow
- Group E: Liverpool, LASK, Union St-Gilloise, Toulouse
- Group F: Villarreal, Rennes, Maccabi Haifa, Panathinaikos
- Group G: Roma, Slavia Prague, Sheriff Tiraspol, Servette
- Group H: Bayer Leverkusen, Qarabag, Molde, BK Hacken
Brighton’s Europa League Debut Features Former European Heavyweights
Brighton’s sensational Premier League run last season has granted them the unique privilege of facing off against two erstwhile European champions, Ajax and Marseille. Ajax boasts four Champions League titles and laid claim to the Europa League’s antecedent, the UEFA Cup, in 1992. Marseille clinched their lone Champions League trophy in 1993. Greek champs AEK Athens complete the group.
Liverpool, in a surprising twist of fate, find themselves in the Europa League for the first time since the 2016-17 season. They’ll lock horns with Austria’s LASK, who finished third last season, as well as Belgium’s Union St-Gilloise and the victors of the French Cup, Toulouse.
Adding a dash of sibling rivalry to the mix, Alexis Mac Allister, recently transferred to Liverpool from Brighton for a cool £35 million, might get a chance to face off against his brother Kevin, a defender for Union St-Gilloise.
West Ham, last year’s Conference League champs, are up against Olympiacos, who bagged a third-place finish in the Greek League last season. Also joining them are Freiburg, who secured fifth place in the Bundesliga, and Serbia’s TSC Backa Topola, last season’s runners-up in their national league.
And let’s not forget Rangers. Fresh off a bitter defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League play-offs, they’ll be jetting off to Spain to challenge Real Betis and will also square off against Sparta Prague from the Czech Republic and Cyprus’ reigning champions Aris Limassol.
All in all, the draw promises an eclectic mix of football styles, traditions, and some good old-fashioned underdog stories. Brighton fans, get ready to dust off those passports; you’ve got some serious traveling and cheering to do!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Europa League Draw 2023-24
What teams are in Group B of the 2023-24 Europa League?
Brighton & Hove Albion is in Group B of the 2023-24 Europa League, along with Ajax, Marseille, and AEK Athens.
Is this Brighton’s first time in European football?
Yes, this marks Brighton & Hove Albion’s debut in European football. The team secured a sixth-place finish in the Premier League last season, earning them a spot in the Europa League for the first time in their 122-year history.
Which teams will Liverpool face in the Europa League?
Liverpool is in Group E and will compete against LASK, Union St-Gilloise, and Toulouse.
How did West Ham qualify for the Europa League?
West Ham United qualified for the Europa League by winning the Conference League last season. They are in Group A, facing Olympiacos, Freiburg, and TSC Backa Topola.
What happened to Rangers in the Champions League?
Rangers were knocked out of the Champions League after losing to PSV Eindhoven in the play-off round. They have subsequently dropped into the Europa League, where they are in Group C with Real Betis, Sparta Prague, and Aris Limassol.
Who are Aston Villa’s opponents in the Europa Conference League?
The article states that Aston Villa will find out their Europa Conference League opponents when the draw takes place at 13:00 BST. The text does not provide information on who those opponents are.
Who are the former European champions that Brighton will face?
Brighton will be up against two former European champions: Ajax and Marseille. Ajax has won the Champions League four times and the UEFA Cup once, while Marseille has won the Champions League once.
Is there any sibling rivalry in this year’s Europa League?
Yes, there is a sibling rivalry to look out for. Alexis Mac Allister, who recently moved to Liverpool from Brighton for £35 million, could potentially face his brother Kevin Mac Allister, who plays as a defender for Union St-Gilloise.
What is the complete list of groups in the 2023-24 Europa League?
The complete list of groups is as follows:
- Group A: West Ham, Olympiacos, Freiburg, TSC Backa Topola
- Group B: Ajax, Marseille, Brighton, AEK Athens
- Group C: Rangers, Real Betis, Sparta Prague, Aris Limassol
- Group D: Atalanta, Sporting Lisbon, Sturm Graz, Rakow
- Group E: Liverpool, LASK, Union St-Gilloise, Toulouse
- Group F: Villarreal, Rennes, Maccabi Haifa, Panathinaikos
- Group G: Roma, Slavia Prague, Sheriff Tiraspol, Servette
- Group H: Bayer Leverkusen, Qarabag, Molde, BK Hacken
Are there any debutant teams in the Europa League this year, apart from Brighton?
The text does not provide information on whether there are other teams making their Europa League debut this year, aside from Brighton & Hove Albion.
More about Europa League Draw 2023-24
- UEFA Europa League Official Website
- Brighton & Hove Albion’s Official Site
- Latest Premier League Standings
- Liverpool FC News
- West Ham United’s Recent Achievements
- Rangers FC Updates
- Football Sibling Rivalries
- Complete List of UEFA Club Champions
- The History of the Europa League
- Europa Conference League Explained
10 comments
look at all these Brit teams makin’ waves in Europa! Brighton’s the underdog story of the year, no doubt.
Liverpool got it easy this year. Union St-Gilloise? really? No offense but it’s gonna be a cakewalk for the Reds.
Kinda stoked to see Alexis and Kevin Mac Allister possibly face off. Family dinner’s gonna be awkward tho lol
Brighton’s gonna have it rough, but hey, what an adventure for them! I mean Ajax and Marseille are no joke.
Rangers got a tough group man, especially after that harsh defeat to PSV. They need to step it up in Europa!
Wow, Brighton in the Europa League?! Never thought I’d see the day. Go Seagulls!!
So many storylines this season! Brighton’s historic first, the Mac Allister brothers. This is what football’s all about.
Group F is the group of death for me. Villarreal, Rennes, Maccabi Haifa, Panathinaikos? Thats crazy competitive.
Aston Villa’s in the waiting room huh. i’m betting they’ll get an easy group, mark my words.
Hammers all the way! we won the Conference League, Europa is next.