UEFA Europa League: what you should know

It is the second most prestigious club football tournament in Europe after the Champions League. It is organized by UEFA and involves clubs from various countries who have placed highly in their national championships but failed to qualify for the top tournament.

This league covers a huge geography — from Spain to Azerbaijan. And although it is sometimes considered the "younger sister" of the Champions League, in fact it has its own atmosphere, its own heroes and its own intrigues.

"Every year, the Europa League gathers hundreds of millions of viewers, and the winner not only gets the trophy, but also a guaranteed place in the next Champions League."

History of the UEFA Europa League

It all started in 1971, when the tournament was officially named the UEFA Cup. But in fact, its roots are even deeper - back in the 1950s there was a so-called Fairs Cup in which teams from major European cities played.

Over time, the format changed, and in 2009 the tournament was updated — this is how the Europe League in its modern form appeared. It became more attractive: they added a group stage, updated the brand and increased the prizes.

In different years, this tournament was won by big clubs. "Sevilla" from Spain, for example, has a record — it won the Europa League seven times, and this is the absolute maximum.

"Also, such teams as "Inter", "Juventus", "Chelsea", "Atletico", "Porto", "Manchester United" have left their mark in the history of the tournament.

This indicates that the struggle here is no less serious than in the Champions League.

Format of UEFA Europa League competitions

Europa League consists of several stages. First, there are qualifying rounds where clubs from smaller football countries compete. Then a group stage is formed, in which 32 teams play.

In the group there are four teams, each of which plays six matches (at home and away). The first two teams from each group advance to the playoffs. The teams that took third places in the Champions League groups are added to them.

Then the elimination starts: 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, semi-final, final. All rounds except the final are played home and away. Final is one match at a neutral stadium.

"The points in the groups are calculated as follows: 3 for a win, 1 for a draw. In case of the same number of points, head-to-head meetings and goal difference are considered."

Famous teams of the Europa League

Although the Europa League is often perceived as the second most important tournament after the Champions League, there are also enough top clubs that have won the title more than once.

The main king of the Europa League — "Seville"

There is no team that would feel more comfortable here than "Sevilla". The Spaniards took this trophy seven times and each time proved that this tournament is their territory. They won in different lineups, with different coaches, but always found a way to reach the finals and win.

Clubs with a big name

In different years, the Europa League was won by teams that are well known even to those who do not follow football very much:

• "Inter" and "Juventus" are Italian giants with a rich European history.
• Chelsea and Manchester United are English clubs that approach the tournament seriously if there is a chance to win it.
• "Atletico Madrid" is another club that won the Europa League several times and then moved to a higher level.

Teams that surprised

Sometimes the Europa League brings surprises. For example, in 2011, the champion was "Porto", which played brightly, quickly and efficiently. And in 2022 won by "Eintracht Frankfurt" - a club that was not considered a favorite, but it beat all stronger opponents.

"This tournament is a great opportunity for clubs to prove that they are worthy of the biggest European recognition."

Europa League statistics and records

Europa League has accumulated a lot of interesting records. Some of them seem to be around for a long time.

Team records

• The most titles – "Seville" (7 times).
• The most finals is also "Sevilla", because they almost always win in the finals.
• The most productive final – 5:4 (the match "Alavés" – "Liverpool" in 2001).

Individual records

• Most goals in the tournament - Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Radomel Falcao who made the difference in their respective seasons.
• The player who has won the most titles – Jesus Navas (4 times with Sevilla).

Records for the number of matches

Some players spend dozens of matches in the Europa League because their teams play consistently in this tournament. Among the leaders are Daniel Carisso and Adil Rami, who have accumulated an impressive number of games.

"These records show once again that the Europa League is not just a secondary tournament, but a separate world with its own history."

The current state of the Europa League

Today, the Europa League is an important part of European football. This is a tournament that gives a chance to those who have not made it to the Champions League but still want European glory.

Favorites of the season

Each year has its own leaders. In the 2024/25 season, among the main contenders for the trophy are **"Liverpool", "Roma", "Bayer", "Ajax". All these clubs have experience in European tournaments and know how to play in decisive matches.

How the Europa League has changed

In recent years, the tournament has become even more interesting:

• Changed the format, made it more balanced.
• Added the Conference League, which slightly reduced the number of weaker teams in the Europa League.
• The prizes have increased and now even the financial motivation for the clubs has become significant.

Impact on European football

Previously, the Europa League was a tournament that many teams did not take seriously. But now the situation has changed — the winner gets a place in the Champions League, so the clubs are fighting with all their might.

"Now this is not just the second European cup tournament, but a real chance for teams to take a step forward in their history."

Interesting stories and facts from the Europa League

The Europa League is often referred to as the "second tournament", but in fact, so many bright things happen here that many people start their acquaintance with European football from it.

"Those who are not afraid to work until the last minute win here, and this is where unexpected heroes are born."

One of the most recognizable teams in this league is undoubtedly Sevilla. The fans are joking: if the Spaniards reached the final, get ready, the trophy will go to them again. And so it usually happens. Behind the shoulders of "Sevilla" — seven victories, and no lost finals.

But the craziest final happened in 2001. Then Liverpool and Alaves staged a real battle — nine goals, extra time, and a winning own goal. This is not a writer's fiction - this is a real match, which is still remembered as one of the most emotional in history.

It is interesting that among the winners of the Europa League there is also a team that is not quite "European" in the geographical sense. Galatasaray from Turkey became the first club from a partially Asian country to win this trophy. It happened in 2000.

"And while winning is the main goal, there is another very important incentive: the winner of the Europa League automatically enters the Champions League."

One more fact — penalty. The finals of this tournament more than once reached a series of 11-meter kicks. In 2021, for example, "Villarreal" and "Manchester United" took turns taking penalties until the score was 11:10. Goalkeeper scored and then another goalkeeper didn't score. It was spectacular and completely unpredictable.

Sometimes there are endings that few people talk about not because of the game, but because of the location. Yes, in 2019 the match between Chelsea and Arsenal was held in Baku. Due to the remoteness and high flight prices, many fans stayed at home.

"The atmosphere was unusually "quiet", and even the players themselves admitted that this is not the way to conduct the finals."

It is worth noting that the UEFA Europa League continues to evolve, remaining an important platform for European clubs. This is a tournament where dreams come true and unexpected heroes write their names in the history of European football. Will anyone be able to break Seville's dominance? Time will tell, but one thing is certain — drama and passion remain the main attributes of this great tournament.