Sevilla’s triumphant seventh Europa League win last season is still fresh in our memories. Now, the anticipation is building as the Europa League and Europa Conference League group stages kick off this week, featuring a mix of Premier League and Scottish Premiership teams.
Brighton, Liverpool, West Ham, and Rangers are among the contenders in the Europa League, while Aston Villa and Aberdeen take their shot at glory in the Europa Conference League.
Sport Newes Center is here to give you the lowdown on what to watch out for in these exciting competitions.
Brighton’s Debut on the European Stage
Brighton, the Seagulls, have earned their spot in the Europa League, and it’s their debut season in this prestigious tournament. Their qualification came with a thrilling 1-1 draw against Manchester City in May.
Under the guidance of manager Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton has been a force to reckon with in the Premier League. They’re eager to carry their domestic success onto the European stage and are brimming with confidence.
In Group B, Brighton faces stiff competition from Dutch giants Ajax, French side Marseille, and AEK Athens from Greece. De Zerbi expresses his optimism, “Our opponents are all good teams, but we are a good team too. It’s the first time for Brighton in Europe, and you can imagine the passion there will be to get points and qualify. We want to win the group. It is not important which club we have to play.”
Liverpool’s Return to Europa League
Liverpool is back in the Europa League after a five-year hiatus. Their last appearance in 2015-16 saw them reach the final, but they fell short against Sevilla. Since then, Jurgen Klopp has achieved remarkable success, including winning the Champions League and Premier League.
In Group E, Liverpool will face Austrians LASK, Union SG of Belgium, and French side Toulouse. Klopp is excited about the challenge, stating, “I’ve never played against one of the teams, which I love, and I’m really excited about it. We will be prepared.”
West Ham’s European Adventure Continues
For West Ham, European adventures have become the norm. This marks their third consecutive season in European competition. In the 2021-22 season, they reached the Europa League semi-finals before being eliminated by Eintracht Frankfurt. Last season, they clinched the Europa Conference League, thanks to a late goal by Jarrod Bowen.
In Group A, West Ham faces strong opponents in Greek side Olympiakos, Germans Freiburg, and Serbians TSC. Manager David Moyes reflects on their European journey, saying, “To be a European winner is something really special. The night was magical for us, and for us to score in the last minute makes it even better.”
Rangers Return to Europa League
Rangers are back in the Europa League after a hiatus in the Champions League. Their previous Champions League campaign ended in disappointment, but now they’re set to take on Spanish side Real Betis, Czechs Sparta Prague, and Aris Limassol of Cyprus in Group C.
Aston Villa’s European Comeback
Aston Villa returns to European competition after a long 13-year gap. They’ve secured a place in the Europa Conference League group stage, and their journey begins against Polish side Legia Warsaw. Dutch team AZ Alkmaar and Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar are also in their group.
Aberdeen’s Challenge
Aberdeen faces a challenging group in the Europa Conference League, featuring Eintracht Frankfurt, Finnish champions HJK Helsinki, and Greek side PAOK.
Key Fixture Dates
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the key fixture dates:
Europa League Group Stage:
- Matchday one: 21 September
- Matchday two: 5 October
- Matchday three: 26 October
- Matchday four: 9 November
- Matchday five: 30 November
- Matchday six: 14 December
- Knockout round play-offs: 15 and 22 February 2024
- Round of 16: 7 and 14 March 2024
- Quarter-finals: 11 and 18 April 2024
- Semi-finals: 2 and 9 May 2024
- Final: 22 May 2024
Europa Conference League Group Stage:
- Matchday one: 21 September
- Matchday two: 5 October
- Matchday three: 26 October
- Matchday four: 9 November
- Matchday five: 30 November
- Matchday six: 14 December
- Knockout round play-offs: 15 & 22 February
- Round of 16: 7 and 14 March
- Quarter-finals: 11 and 18 April
- Semi-finals: 2 and 9 May
- Final: 29 May
Where to Catch the Finals
Finally, mark your calendars for the grand finales. The Europa League final will grace the Dublin Arena in the Republic of Ireland on 22 May 2024, while the Europa Conference League final is set to ignite AEK stadium in Greece on 29 May 2024.
As these footballing adventures unfold, expect thrilling matches, surprise upsets, and unforgettable moments on the road to European glory. The stage is set, and the players are ready. Let the games begin!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword Europa League and Europa Conference League
What are the key fixture dates for the Europa League and Europa Conference League?
Answer: Here are the key fixture dates for both the Europa League and Europa Conference League:
Europa League Group Stage:
- Matchday one: 21 September
- Matchday two: 5 October
- Matchday three: 26 October
- Matchday four: 9 November
- Matchday five: 30 November
- Matchday six: 14 December
- Knockout round play-offs: 15 and 22 February 2024
- Round of 16: 7 and 14 March 2024
- Quarter-finals: 11 and 18 April 2024
- Semi-finals: 2 and 9 May 2024
- Final: 22 May 2024
Europa Conference League Group Stage:
- Matchday one: 21 September
- Matchday two: 5 October
- Matchday three: 26 October
- Matchday four: 9 November
- Matchday five: 30 November
- Matchday six: 14 December
- Knockout round play-offs: 15 & 22 February
- Round of 16: 7 and 14 March
- Quarter-finals: 11 and 18 April
- Semi-finals: 2 and 9 May
- Final: 29 May
Where will the Europa League and Europa Conference League finals be held?
Answer: The Europa League final is scheduled to take place at the Dublin Arena in the Republic of Ireland on 22 May 2024. Meanwhile, the Europa Conference League final is set to be held at AEK stadium in Greece on 29 May 2024.
Which teams are making their Europa League debut this season?
Answer: Six teams are making their Europa League debut this season, and one of them is Brighton. The Seagulls secured their qualification and are looking forward to their first appearance in this prestigious tournament.
When was the last time Liverpool played in the Europa League, and how did they perform?
Answer: Liverpool last participated in the Europa League in the 2015-16 season when they reached the final. Unfortunately, they were defeated 3-1 by Sevilla in that final.
How has West Ham performed in recent European competitions?
Answer: West Ham has been on a European adventure in recent years. They reached the semi-finals of the Europa League in the 2021-22 season and were eliminated by Eintracht Frankfurt. The following season, they won the Europa Conference League, clinching the title with a late goal by Jarrod Bowen.
What’s Aston Villa’s recent history in European competitions?
Answer: Aston Villa is making a comeback to European competition after a 13-year absence. Their last appearance was in the 2010-11 Europa League season. They secured their place in the Europa Conference League group stage by finishing seventh in the Premier League and winning their playoff against Hibernian with an impressive 8-0 aggregate score.
Who are the tough opponents in Aberdeen’s Europa Conference League group?
Answer: Aberdeen faces a challenging group in the Europa Conference League. Their group includes Eintracht Frankfurt, Finnish champions HJK Helsinki, and Greek side PAOK.
How did Rangers end up in the Europa League this season?
Answer: Rangers, after last season’s campaign in the Champions League, found themselves in the Europa League group stage this time. They had failed to advance from the group stage in their previous Champions League endeavor and were eliminated in the qualifying rounds this season.
Which teams are part of Brighton’s group in the Europa League?
Answer: Brighton is placed in Group B in the Europa League. Their group includes Dutch giants Ajax, French side Marseille, and AEK Athens from Greece.
2 comments
west ham’s European journey is epic, hope they go all da way dis time!
wow! dis Europa thing sounds mega cool. cant wait for da games 2 start! ⚽