The UEFA Europa Conference League roars back into action this week, as 32 teams across Europe kick off their group stage campaigns in Matchday 1. Fans can expect drama, passion, and plenty of goals as clubs from established leagues and rising football nations go head-to-head.
In one of the standout fixtures, Dynamo Kyiv host Premier League side Crystal Palace, who make their long-awaited debut in European competition. Polish champions Lech Poznań face Austria’s SK Rapid, while Spain’s Rayo Vallecano meet Macedonian outfit Shkëndija in a tie that promises attacking flair.
Cypriot giants Omonia take on Bundesliga side Mainz, and Jagiellonia will look to make home advantage count against Malta’s Hamrun Spartans. Elsewhere, Bosnia’s Zrinjski Mostar clash with Gibraltar’s Lincoln Red Imps in a battle of underdogs.
Scandinavia also takes center stage with KuPS Kuopio meeting Kosovo’s Drita, and Lausanne-Sport of Switzerland locking horns with Iceland’s Breidablik. Armenian side Noah welcome Croatia’s Rijeka, while last season’s finalists Fiorentina look to start strong against Sigma Olomouc.
Other notable fixtures include Slovan Bratislava vs Strasbourg, Legia Warsaw vs Samsunspor, and Sparta Prague vs Shamrock Rovers. In the Balkans, Celje meet AEK Athens, while Scottish side Aberdeen host Shakhtar Donetsk in what is expected to be an emotional and fiery contest.
Rounding out the schedule, Raków take on Universitatea Craiova, AEK Larnaca face Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, and Ireland’s Shelbourne battle Swedish club Häcken.
With a mix of seasoned European contenders and ambitious newcomers, Matchday 1 of the Conference League is set to deliver unforgettable football nights across the continent.
