Europa League

Europa League (UEFA) (UEFA Europa League, launched in 1971 as the UEFA Cup and renamed from the 2009/10 season) - UEFA’s annual European club competition, second tier below the UEFA Champions League. Regulations: clubs qualify via domestic leagues and cups, in the current format the competition features a 36-club league phase where each team plays 8 matches against different opponents (4 home and 4 away), the clubs ranked 1-8 qualify directly for the round of 16, the clubs ranked 9-24 enter the knockout phase play-offs for places in the round of 16, and the clubs ranked 25-36 are eliminated. Teams are ranked by points, then goal difference, goals scored, away goals scored, wins, away wins, opponents’ aggregate performance metrics in the league phase, disciplinary points (red card or expulsion for two yellows in one match - 3, yellow card - 1), then the club coefficient. The knockout rounds are typically played over two legs home and away, the away-goals rule is not used, if the aggregate score is level extra time is played in the second leg and, if required, a penalty shoot-out decides the tie, while the final is a single match at a pre-selected neutral venue. The winners qualify for the UEFA Super Cup and, if not already qualified via their domestic league, for the next season’s UEFA Champions League.