The summer calendar: When… draws and when do the Greek teams play in Europe!

As the season draws to a close and with the situation regarding European ‘tickets’ becoming clearer, it is interesting to look at the summer calendar. When… drawsthat is, for our teams in the Champions League, Europa and Conference and, above all, when are the games.

Starting, in reverse, from the third regular competition, Aris and either PAOK or Olympiacos – since the third place is “played”. and a lot will be decided in the Toumba derby, on Sunday, and possibly after that also the final of the Greek Cup- they will learn their first opponent in his second qualifier Conference on June 21. The games, however, will be played, the first on July 27 and the second leg on August 3.

The dates of the Conference in detail:

2nd qualifier

Draw June 21

First games July 27

Rematch August 3

3rd qualifier

Draw July 24

First games August 10

Rematch August 17

Playoffs

Draw August 7

First games August 24

Rematch August 31

It should be noted that for our two teams in the Conference there is no margin for errorsince elimination in the second, third qualifier or in the playoffs means the end of their European adventure.

Let’s go to Europa. Here we have a “ticket” for the third qualifier, which will either be checked by PAOK or Olympiacos. Here we have the following note, to remind, that if Olympiacos finishes third, it will have to wait for the result of the final of the Greek Cup. In this case, by winning the trophy the “two-headed man of the North” will… steal from the Piraeus the “ticket” and will drop them off at the Conference. The team, therefore, that will go to Europa, will be in action on August 10th and 17th and if he qualifies, he will play in the playoffs on August 24 and 31. If it is eliminated in the third qualifying round of the Europa League, it will be transferred to the Conference League playoffs, which will take place as we mentioned above on August 24 and 31. If, of course, he is eliminated in the Europa League playoffs, he will go directly to the Conference League groups.

Europa dates in detail:

3rd qualifier

Draw July 24

First games August 10

Rematch August 17

Playoffs

Draw August 7

First games August 24

Rematch August 31

And we close with the Champions League. AEK, which is now the firm favourite for winning the title, i.e. the team that will finish first in the playoffs, will take part in the third qualifying round of the Champions League through the champions round whose matches are held August 8-9 and 15. The “yellow and black” will know their first opponent on July 24. Should he qualify, he will play in the playoffs on August 22/23 and 29/30, with the prize of a place in gold-bearing groups. In case of elimination in the Champions League playoffs, it will move directly to the Europa groups. If, however, it is eliminated in the third qualifying round of the Champions League, it will play in the playoffs of the Europa League, where even if it is eliminated, it will continue in the groups of the Conference League. That is, in worst case scenario of the two summer eliminations will be guaranteed a place in the Conference League groups.

As for the runner-up of the playoffs, which will probably be Panathinaikos, they will earn a place in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, on the road of the non-champions, with the matches being held July 25/26 and August 1/2. The “greens” will learn their first opponent on June 21. In case of qualification, of course, they ensure, like the looming champion AEK, the minimum of the presence in the groups of the Conference League.

Champions League dates in detail:

2nd qualifier

Draw June 21

First games July 25 and 26

Rematch August 1 and 2

3rd qualifier

Draw July 24

First games August 8 and 9

Rematch August 15

Playoffs

Draw August 7

First games August 22 and 23

Rematch August 29 and 30