At long last, it’s here. 184 teams have taken part in this season’s Europa Conference League, from the first qualifying round to the Europa League drop-downs. KÍ of the Faroe Islands, Breiðablik of Iceland and Zrinjski Mostar of Bosnia-Herzegovina all made history by becoming their countries’ first-ever representatives in a European group stage. Kosovar side… Continue reading Europa Conference League 2023/24: The Final
Author: Horace Goodwill
My name is Horace Goodwill, follower of the Conference League, opponent of "field tilt", and loyal devotee of the true metric, "goals scored". Fan of a twice-relegated Schalke. Fan of Unai Emery's Sexual Clarets and ex-fan of a sportswashed Newcastle. And I will have my vengeance, on this blog or the next.
Conference League 2023/24: Semi-Finals Preview
The Europa Conference League’s quarter-finals did not disappoint, with three of the four ties going to extra time and two decided on penalties. Only four sides remain, all of whom now have the trophy in Athens in their sights. Semi-Final 1: Aston Villa FC – Olympiakos SFP Olympiakos, based in Piraeus, are located just 10… Continue reading Conference League 2023/24: Semi-Finals Preview
Conference League 2023/24: Quarter-Finals
We’re in the latter stages now. “The run-in”. The stakes climb ever higher, the margins for failure shrink ever smaller. From the Spains to the Japans, all discerning eyes are locked on the four delicately-poised ties that constitute the 2023/24 Europa Conference League quarter-finals. FC Viktoria Plzeň – ACF Fiorentina Viktoria Plzeň have played eight… Continue reading Conference League 2023/24: Quarter-Finals
Conference League 2023/24: Second Knockout Round Preview
There are twelve weeks left until Athens is graced by the 2024 Europa Conference League Final, in what will clearly be the greatest sporting event in Greek history. As that date with destiny looms, the the eight Group Stage winners face the eight survivors of the First Knockout Round for a place in the quarter-finals.… Continue reading Conference League 2023/24: Second Knockout Round Preview
Conference League 2023/24: First Knockout Round Preview
The judge smiled. Men are born for games. Nothing else. Can you feel it? Spring is in the air. The lengthening days sing of its return. And spring means European knockout football. In the Conference League, Europe’s premier continental competition, that means the eight Group Stage runners-up facing off against the Europa League’s eight third-placed… Continue reading Conference League 2023/24: First Knockout Round Preview
Conference League GW6: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
“All sparks will burn out in the end”, as Editors once sang, and so we find ourselves at the end of the Conference League’s third-ever group stage which, with the introduction of a “Swiss system” next season, is also set to be its last-ever. And what a group stage it’s been! Every group bar one… Continue reading Conference League GW6: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
Conference League GW4: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
Ἀνερρίφθω κύβος, said Caesar – but as we, dear reader, enter Gameweek 4 of Europe’s premier continental club competition, we must ask: who are the Conference’s Pompeys? Its Octavians? Will I return to this analogy later in the piece? (No.) The knockouts beckon to some, elimination to others. Let us wade into the quiet of… Continue reading Conference League GW4: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
Conference League GW3: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
After two gameweeks the plot across the Europa Conference League has thickened agreeably, in the manner of a stew or bisque with cornflour stirred into it. With four rounds of matches left, everything remains to play for. Chodźmy! Pick of the Games:AZ – Aston Villa (17:45 BST)Ballkani – Astana (17:45 BST)Fenerbahçe – Ludogorets (17:45 BST)Lugano… Continue reading Conference League GW3: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
Conference League GW2: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
The Europa Conference League circus is back in town once more, with all manner of surprise and upset from Gameweek 1 trailing in its wake. With some teams licking their wounds, and others seeing new vistas of possibility open up before them, it’s time to look ahead to the games to come. Pick of the… Continue reading Conference League GW2: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24: Preview
It’s back, it’s beautiful, and it has retained the services of Unai Emery. It’s the Europa Conference League, now into its third season – which is also its last before it moves to a “Swiss system” as utterly inscrutable as a Zürich deposit box. With Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Bosnia and Herzegovina making their… Continue reading UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24: Preview