UEFA Europa Conference League - Alkmaar, Legia and Zrinjski

[Brazilian Villain]

If it was a choice between this and the old UEFA Cup I'd take the UEFA Cup all day long.

But the Europa League is mental. You'd need to play the same amount of games as half a league campaign to win it. Whereas with the Conference League there's six ties and then the final. Until they change the format in 24/25 and about five million teams enter.

There would be five knockout ties before the final (including the play-off round) plus the group stage so 17 games in total.

[Legion]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Europa_Conference_League

So exactly how does this work for us? A play-off to see if we get in to the group stage?

[Monty]

West Ham went straight into the group stage no?

[Brazilian Villain]

Yes, a play-off round with games on Aug. 24th and 31st to get into the group stage. The draw is on Aug. 7th.

[Monty]

Bah.

[Meanwood Villa]

West Ham went straight into the group stage no?

They played Viborg from Denmark in the play off round

[Meanwood Villa]

This was the seeding pots this season. TBH some tough looking potential ties in there.

[eamonn]

Merge existing Europe thread? This is being discussed there.

[trinityoap]

My brain hurts.

[exigo]

We're currently the lowest seeded team, which would help us in the draw. That would mean away on August 24th, home on August 31st.

[Dogtanian]

Dates of rounds here;

https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaconferenceleague/news/027a-1641db958909-46702780984f-1000--2023-24-uefa-europa-conference-league-matches-final-key-/

[SoccerHQ]

West Ham went straight into the group stage no?

They played Viborg from Denmark in the play off round

Won 6-1 on aggregate so it was very easy for them.

Fiorentina actually played FC Twente and only got through 2-1 on aggregate so I'd very much like to be seeded for play off round as I assume West Ham were.

Please tell me Rapid Vienna are nowhere to be seen in this competition.....

[Dogtanian]

They’re currently in it, with one round to play I’m told.

[Exeter 77]

I noticed Hajduk Split are in the competition. Seeing a Villa play them in their Poljud ground would be fantastic.

[Brazilian Villain]

I noticed Hajduk Split are in the competition. Seeing a Villa play them in their Poljud ground would be fantastic.

Plus it's one of those names (like Ujpest Dozsa) that evoke memories of bygone days when trips to Eastern Europe seemed an exotic adventiure.