2017–18 UEFA Europa League qualifying phase and play-off round
Union of European Football Associations matches
The 2017–18 UEFA Europa League qualifying phase and play-off round began on 29 June and ended on 24 August 2017.[1] A total of 156 teams competed in the qualifying phase and play-off round to decide 22 of the 48 places in the group stage of the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League.[2]
The schedule of the qualifying phase and play-off round was as follows (all draws were held at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland).[1]
Round
Draw
First leg
Second leg
First qualifying round
19 June 2017
29 June 2017
6 July 2017
Second qualifying round
13 July 2017
20 July 2017
Third qualifying round
14 July 2017
27 July 2017
3 August 2017
Play-off round
4 August 2017
17 August 2017
24 August 2017
Matches may also be played on Tuesdays or Wednesdays instead of the regular Thursdays due to scheduling conflicts.
Format
In the qualifying phase and play-off round, each tie was played over two legs, with each team playing one leg at home. The team that scored more goals on aggregate over the two legs advanced to the next round. If the aggregate score was level, the away goals rule was applied, i.e. the team that scored more goals away from home over the two legs advanced. If away goals were also equal, then 30 minutes of extra time was played. The away goals rule was again applied after extra time, i.e. if there were goals scored during extra time and the aggregate score was still level, the visiting team advanced by virtue of more away goals scored. If no goals were scored during extra time, the tie was decided by penalty shoot-out.[2]
In the draws for each round, teams were seeded based on their UEFA club coefficients at the beginning of the season, with the teams divided into seeded and unseeded pots. A seeded team was drawn against an unseeded team, with the order of legs in each tie decided by draw. Due to the limited time between matches, the draws for the second and third qualifying rounds took place before the results of the previous round were known. For these draws (or in any cases where the result of a tie in the previous round was not known at the time of the draw), the seeding was carried out under the assumption that the team with the higher coefficient of an undecided tie advanced to this round, which means if the team with the lower coefficient was to advance, it simply took the seeding of its defeated opponent. Prior to the draws, UEFA may form "groups" in accordance with the principles set by the Club Competitions Committee, but they were purely for convenience of the draw and for ensuring that teams from the same association (or associations with political conflicts) were not drawn against each other, and did not resemble any real groupings in the sense of the competition.
The draw for the first qualifying round was held on 19 June 2017, 13:00 CEST.[5]
Seeding
A total of 100 teams played in the first qualifying round. Prior to the draw the participating teams were placed in ten groups with five seeded and five unseeded teams, depending on their UEFA club coefficient. (Note: The numbers for each team were pre-assigned by UEFA so that the draw could be held in one run for all groups.)
The draw for the second qualifying round was held on 19 June 2017, 14:30 CEST (after the completion of the first qualifying round draw).[5]
Seeding
A total of 66 teams played in the second qualifying round: 16 teams which entered in this round, and the 50 winners of the first qualifying round. Prior to the draw the participating teams were placed in six groups with five seeded and five unseeded teams (groups 1–3) or six seeded and six unseeded teams (groups 4–6), depending on their UEFA club coefficient. (Note: The numbers for each team were pre-assigned by UEFA so that the draw could be held in one run for the groups with ten teams and another run for the groups with twelve teams.) Since the draw for the second qualifying round took place before the results of the previous round were known, the seeding was carried out under the assumption that the team with the higher coefficient of an undecided tie would advance to this round, which meant if the team with the lower coefficient was to advance, it simply took the seeding of its defeated opponent.
† Winners of the first qualifying round whose identity was not known at the time of the draw. Teams in italics defeated a team with a higher coefficient in the first qualifying round, thus effectively taking the coefficient of their defeated opponent in the draw for the second qualifying round.
Summary
The first legs were played on 12 and 13 July, and the second legs were played on 20 July 2017.
The draw for the third qualifying round was held on 14 July 2017, 13:00 CEST.[16]
Seeding
A total of 58 teams played in the third qualifying round: 25 teams which entered in this round, and the 33 winners of the second qualifying round. Prior to the draw the participating teams were placed in one group with five seeded and five unseeded teams (group 1) and four groups with six seeded and six unseeded teams (groups 2–5), depending on their UEFA club coefficient. (Note: The numbers for each team were pre-assigned by UEFA so that the draw could be held in one run for the group with ten teams and another run for the groups with twelve teams.) Since the draw for the third qualifying round took place before the results of the previous round were known, the seeding was carried out under the assumption that the team with the higher coefficient of an undecided tie would advance to this round, which meant if the team with the lower coefficient was to advance, it simply took the seeding of its defeated opponent.
† Winners of the second qualifying round whose identity was not known at the time of the draw. Teams in italics defeated a team with a higher coefficient in the second qualifying round, thus effectively taking the coefficient of their defeated opponent in the draw for the third qualifying round.
Summary
The first legs were played on 27 July, and the second legs were played on 2 and 3 August 2017.
The draw for the play-off round was held on 4 August 2017, 13:00 CEST.[18]
Seeding
A total of 44 teams played in the play-off round: the 29 winners of the third qualifying round, and the 15 losers of the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. Prior to the draw the participating teams were placed in two groups with five seeded and five unseeded teams (groups 1–2) and two groups with six seeded and six unseeded teams (groups 3–4), depending on their UEFA club coefficient. (Note: The numbers for each team were pre-assigned by UEFA so that the draw could be held in one run for the groups with ten teams and another run for the groups with twelve teams.)
^ abcdMaccabi Tel Aviv played their home matches at Netanya Stadium, Netanya, instead of their regular stadium Bloomfield Stadium, Tel Aviv, due to renovation.
^ abInter Baku played their home matches at Dalga Arena, Baku, instead of their regular stadium Inter Arena, Baku.
^ abcdShkëndija played their qualifying rounds home matches at Stadion Mladost, Strumica, and play-off round home match at Philip II Arena, Skopje, instead of their regular stadium Ecolog Arena, Tetovo, due to renovation.
^Chikhura Sachkhere played their home match at Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi, instead of their regular stadium Central Stadium, Sachkhere.
^Pelister played their home match at Stadion Mladost, Strumica, instead of their regular stadium Stadion Tumbe Kafe, Bitola.
^ abBeitar Jerusalem played their home matches at HaMoshava Stadium, Petah Tikva, instead of their regular stadium Teddy Stadium, Jerusalem, due to the 2017 Maccabiah Games.[7]
^Vasas played their home match at Szusza Ferenc stadion, Budapest, instead of their regular stadium Illovszky Rudolf Stadion, Budapest, due to reconstruction.
^ abMladost Podgorica played their home matches at City Stadium, Podgorica, instead of their regular stadium Stadion FK Mladost, Podgorica.
^Gandzasar Kapan played their home match at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, instead of their regular stadium Gandzasar Stadium, Kapan.
^Ordabasy played their home match at Central Stadium, Almaty, instead of their regular stadium Kazhymukan Munaitpasov Stadium, Shymkent.
^ abcBotev Plovdiv played their home matches at Lazur Stadium, Burgas, instead of their temporary stadium Botev 1912 Football Complex, Plovdiv.
^Pyunik played their home match at Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, instead of their regular stadium Football Academy Stadium, Yerevan.
^Dinamo Batumi played their home match at Ramaz Shengelia Stadium, Kutaisi, instead of their regular stadium Chele Arena, Kobuleti.
^ abcdVideoton played their home matches at Pancho Aréna, Felcsút, instead of their regular stadium Sóstói Stadion, Székesfehérvár, due to reconstruction.
^Floriana played their home match at Hibernians Stadium, Paola, instead of their regular stadium Independence Ground, Floriana.
^ abRabotnički played their home matches at Training Centre Petar Miloševski, Skopje, instead of their regular stadium Philip II Arena, Skopje, which was unavailable due to preparation for the 2017 UEFA Super Cup.[8]
^Zeta played their home match at City Stadium, Podgorica, instead of their regular stadium Stadion Trešnjica, Golubovci.
^ abSt Joseph's and Lincoln Red Imps played their home matches at Estádio Algarve, Faro–Loulé, Portugal, instead of their regular stadium Victoria Stadium, Gibraltar.[9]
^ abZaria Bălți played their home matches at Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, instead of their regular stadium Stadionul Orășenesc, Bălți.
^ abProgrès Niederkorn played their first qualifying round home match at Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, and second qualifying round home match at Stade Municipal, Differdange, instead of their regular stadium Stade Jos Haupert, Niederkorn.[10]
^Bala Town played their home match at Belle Vue, Rhyl, instead of their regular stadium Maes Tegid, Bala.[11]
^ abcDomžale played their first qualifying round home match at Arena Petrol, Celje, and third qualifying and play-off rounds home matches at Stožice Stadium, Ljubljana, instead of their regular stadium Sports Park, Domžale.
^Derry City played their home match at The Showgrounds, Sligo, instead of their regular stadium Brandywell Stadium, Derry, due to renovation.[12]
^NSÍ Runavík played their home match at Svangaskarð, Toftir, instead of their regular stadium Runavík Stadium, Runavík.
^Ballymena United played their home match at Seaview, Belfast, instead of their regular stadium The Showgrounds, Ballymena.[13]
^Connah's Quay Nomads played their home match at Nantporth, Bangor, instead of their regular stadium Deeside Stadium, Connah's Quay.[14]
^ abNõmme Kalju played their first qualifying round home match at A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, and second qualifying round home match at Kadriorg Stadium, Tallinn, instead of their regular stadium Hiiu Stadium, Tallinn.
^Prishtina played their home match at Adem Jashari Olympic Stadium, Mitrovica, instead of their regular stadium City Stadium, Pristina.
^Levadia Tallinn played their home match at Pärnu Rannastaadion, Pärnu, instead of their regular stadium Kadriorg Stadium, Tallinn.
^KÍ played their home match at Gundadalur, Tórshavn, instead of their regular stadium Við Djúpumýrar, Klaksvík.
^ abcApollon Limassol played their home matches at AEK Arena – Georgios Karapatakis, Larnaca, instead of their regular stadium Tsirio Stadium, Limassol.
^Hajduk Split played their second qualifying round home match at Stadion Hrvatski vitezovi, Dugopolje, instead of their regular stadium Stadion Poljud, Split.
^Utrecht played their second qualifying round home match at Mandemakers Stadion, Waalwijk, instead of their regular stadium Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht.
^ abGabala played their home matches at Bakcell Arena, Baku, instead of their regular stadium City Stadium, Qabala.
^ abAEL Limassol played their second and third qualifying rounds home matches at Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium, Larnaca, instead of their regular stadium Tsirio Stadium, Limassol.
^Trenčín played their second qualifying round home match at Stadium Myjava, Myjava, instead of their regular stadium Štadión na Sihoti, Trenčín.
^ abBnei Yehuda played their home matches at HaMoshava Stadium, Petah Tikva, instead of their regular stadium Bloomfield Stadium, Tel Aviv, due to renovation.
^ abSkënderbeu played their third qualifying and play-off rounds home matches at Elbasan Arena, Elbasan, instead of their regular stadium Skënderbeu Stadium, Korçë.
^ abAustria Wien played their third qualifying round home match at Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, and play-off round home match at NV Arena, Sankt Pölten, instead of their regular stadium Franz Horr Stadium, Vienna, due to reconstruction.
^Dinamo București played their home match at Arena Națională, Bucharest, instead of their regular stadium Stadionul Dinamo, Bucharest.
^Olimpik Donetsk played their home match at Valeriy Lobanovskyi Dynamo Stadium, Kyiv, instead of their regular stadium Olimpik Sports Complex, Donetsk, due to the war conditions in Eastern Ukraine.
^Universitatea Craiova played their home match at Stadionul Municipal, Drobeta-Turnu Severin, instead of their regular stadium Stadionul Ion Oblemenco, Craiova, due to reconstruction.
^ abRheindorf Altach played their third qualifying and play-off rounds home matches at Tivoli-Neu, Innsbruck, instead of their regular stadium Stadion Schnabelholz, Altach.
^Sion played their home match at Stade de Genève, Geneva, instead of their regular stadium Stade de Tourbillon, Sion, due to renovation.
^The Partizan v Videoton match was played behind closed doors due to punishment by UEFA.[20]
References
^ ab"2017/18 Europa League match and draw calendar". UEFA. 11 January 2017.
^ abc"Regulations of the UEFA Europa League 2017/18 Season" (PDF). UEFA. 4 April 2017.
^ abcde"Club coefficients 2016/17". UEFA. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
^"UEFA Team Ranking 2017". Bert Kassies. Archived from the original on 2017-02-22. Retrieved 2017-06-22.
^ ab"First and second qualifying rounds draw". UEFA.
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiajakalamanaoapaqarasatauavawaxayazbabbbcbdbebfbgbhbibjbkblbmbnbobpbqbrbsbtbubvbwbxbybzcacbcccdcecfcgchcicjckclcmcncocpcqcrcsctcucv"Summary UEFA Europa League – Round 1". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
^Ben Ziv, Guy (11 May 2017). "סופית: בית"ר תפתח את העונה הבאה במושבה" [Confirmed: Beitar will open the next season at HaMoshava]. ONE (in Hebrew).
^"Апел за користење на Националната Арена "Филип Втори" за Лигата на шампионите" (in Macedonian). ФК Вардар. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
^"UEFA bans Gibraltar football teams from playing European ties at Victoria Stadium". The Gibraltar Olive Press. 3 June 2023.
^"Rangers confirm dates of Europa League tie against Progres Niederkorn". Evening Times. 20 June 2017.
^"1st Round Qualifying Draw". Bala Town FC. Archived from the original on 2017-07-06. Retrieved 2017-06-20.
^Duffy, Emma (28 April 2017). "Venue confirmed! Derry City will play their Europa League games in Sligo". The42.
^"United to face Odds BK in UEFA Europa League". Ballymena United FC.
^"Helsinki confirmed as Nomads' Europa opponents". Connah's Quay Nomads FC. Archived from the original on 2017-09-15. Retrieved 2017-06-20.
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiajakalamanaoapaqarasatauavawaxayazbabbbcbdbebfbgbhbibjbkblbmbn"Summary UEFA Europa League – Round 2". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiajakalamanaoapaqarasatauavawaxayazbabbbcbdbebf"Summary UEFA Europa League – Round 3". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
Note: Between the 2004–05 and 2008–09 seasons, the competition was still known as the UEFA Cup, but is included as it followed a group stage—knockout phase format.