New Formats Post 2024-

[nogomet]

No:
3.09
The vacancy created in the league phase is filled by the club with the highest individual club coefficient of all the clubs that qualify for the main path or play-offs of the competition, provided that the club is either the domestic cup winner or the highest domestically ranked club from its association that has not already qualified for the league phase of the competition directly;

NL Nr3 is qualified for the LP, Ajax would be the the highest domestically ranked club from NL that has not already qualified for the league phase of the competition directly

Yeah, I totally forgot that the Netherlands has three CL spots next season, instead of two.

[Fotcalc]

Looking forward to Molde being automatically promoted from UEL Q1 to Q3 when UEL TH qualify for UCL domestically, and a UCL league path club replace it! Molde are very much winners of these regulations. They are from the highest ranked NA (16th) with CW in UEL Q1.

[eye]

Awarding EPS after rebalancing might create some very weird situations. If Czechia had finished at top2 of the season ranking and leagues had finished as it is now then Sparta would have taken the CH spot and Slavia the N2 spot. Since rebalancing is done before awarding EPS Sparta takes part at the rebalancing contest for CL-W and EL-W but due to low coefficient remains at Q2ch while Slavia is promoted from Q2nc to Q3nc since Benfica wins the EL-W rebalancing and Slavia has the highest coefficient from the clubs of Q2nc and replaces Benfica to Q3nc. Then EPS should be awarded and Sparta as champion moves to LP, Slavia replaces Sparta at Q2ch and Plzen replaces Slavia at Q3nc. The outcome is Slavia that had a secured spot at EL-LP might not qualify even at ECL-LP

[Fotcalc]

I think you are right about this, except that this would be leapfrogging, which isn't allowed, I think.

[eye]

I think you are right about this, except that this would be leapfrogging, which isn't allowed, I think.

Where is the leapfrogging?

[Fotcalc]

I am thinking about the 2nd place getting promoted to a later round than the round that the 1st place starts in.

[Sagy]

Awarding EPS after rebalancing might create some very weird situations. If Czechia had finished at top2 of the season ranking and leagues had finished as it is now then Sparta would have taken the CH spot and Slavia the N2 spot. Since rebalancing is done before awarding EPS Sparta takes part at the rebalancing contest for CL-W and EL-W but due to low coefficient remains at Q2ch while Slavia is promoted from Q2nc to Q3nc since Benfica wins the EL-W rebalancing and Slavia has the highest coefficient from the clubs of Q2nc and replaces Benfica to Q3nc. Then EPS should be awarded and Sparta as champion moves to LP, Slavia replaces Sparta at Q2ch and Plzen replaces Slavia at Q3nc. The outcome is Slavia that had a secured spot at EL-LP might not qualify even at ECL-LP

Are you sure that Slavia would be eligible for the Champions path? They were not a champion, they finished second so should be in the “nc” path. There might be something in the regulations that covers this situation.

[amenina]

Awarding EPS after rebalancing might create some very weird situations. If Czechia had finished at top2 of the season ranking and leagues had finished as it is now then Sparta would have taken the CH spot and Slavia the N2 spot. Since rebalancing is done before awarding EPS Sparta takes part at the rebalancing contest for CL-W and EL-W but due to low coefficient remains at Q2ch while Slavia is promoted from Q2nc to Q3nc since Benfica wins the EL-W rebalancing and Slavia has the highest coefficient from the clubs of Q2nc and replaces Benfica to Q3nc. Then EPS should be awarded and Sparta as champion moves to LP, Slavia replaces Sparta at Q2ch and Plzen replaces Slavia at Q3nc. The outcome is Slavia that had a secured spot at EL-LP might not qualify even at ECL-LP

Are you sure that Slavia would be eligible for the Champions path? They were not a champion, they finished second so should be in the “nc” path. There might be something in the regulations that covers this situation.

Yes, if Czechia finish as the top two association of the one-season coefficient ranking and is awarded an EPS place, the Czechia champions directly enter CL league phase, the runners-up will be moved from the CL league path to take the CL champions path place originally given to the Czechia champions, and the third place team will be moved from the Europa League to take the CL league path place originally given to the Czechia runners-up, and so on. This is mentioned in the regulations Articles 3.07 and 3.08.

https://documents.uefa.com/r/Regulation ... ion-Online

[Firnen]

The new bonus point system is more fair than the old, in which farming points and bonus points in the lower competitions was a bit too easy vs collecting points in the CL.

[Sagy]

Awarding EPS after rebalancing might create some very weird situations. If Czechia had finished at top2 of the season ranking and leagues had finished as it is now then Sparta would have taken the CH spot and Slavia the N2 spot. Since rebalancing is done before awarding EPS Sparta takes part at the rebalancing contest for CL-W and EL-W but due to low coefficient remains at Q2ch while Slavia is promoted from Q2nc to Q3nc since Benfica wins the EL-W rebalancing and Slavia has the highest coefficient from the clubs of Q2nc and replaces Benfica to Q3nc. Then EPS should be awarded and Sparta as champion moves to LP, Slavia replaces Sparta at Q2ch and Plzen replaces Slavia at Q3nc. The outcome is Slavia that had a secured spot at EL-LP might not qualify even at ECL-LP

Are you sure that Slavia would be eligible for the Champions path? They were not a champion, they finished second so should be in the “nc” path. There might be something in the regulations that covers this situation.

Yes, if Czechia finish as the top two association of the one-season coefficient ranking and is awarded an EPS place, the Czechia champions directly enter CL league phase, the runners-up will be moved from the CL league path to take the CL champions path place originally given to the Czechia champions, and the third place team will be moved from the Europa League to take the CL league path place originally given to the Czechia runners-up, and so on. This is mentioned in the regulations Articles 3.07 and 3.08.

https://documents.uefa.com/r/Regulation ... ion-Online

You are absolutely right. And yes, this system will put a successful team from a country that doesn’t have a direct CL spot at a disadvantage if that country got one of the two EPS.

[bert.kassies]

Are you sure that Slavia would be eligible for the Champions path? They were not a champion, they finished second so should be in the “nc” path. There might be something in the regulations that covers this situation.

Yes, if Czechia finish as the top two association of the one-season coefficient ranking and is awarded an EPS place, the Czechia champions directly enter CL league phase, the runners-up will be moved from the CL league path to take the CL champions path place originally given to the Czechia champions, and the third place team will be moved from the Europa League to take the CL league path place originally given to the Czechia runners-up, and so on. This is mentioned in the regulations Articles 3.07 and 3.08.

https://documents.uefa.com/r/Regulation ... ion-Online

You are absolutely right. And yes, this system will put a successful team from a country that doesn’t have a direct CL spot at a disadvantage if that country got one of the two EPS.

First of all this is very theoretic. It's more than 25 years ago that a country outside the top 10 scored one of the top 2 season coefficients.

And further, suppose the N2 of Czechia could choose (CH path or stay in league path), I'm not so sure that they would opt for the league path. The CH path offers a better opportunity to reach the CL league stage.

[Overgame]

First of all this is very theoretic. It's more than 25 years ago that a country outside the top 10 scored one of the top 2 season coefficients.

Just a quick correction: Romania reached top 10 in 2006, but for the following season, they were still using the entry list for a country ranked 25th. Also Ukraine in 2009 (12th in 2008).

[eye]

Yes, if Czechia finish as the top two association of the one-season coefficient ranking and is awarded an EPS place, the Czechia champions directly enter CL league phase, the runners-up will be moved from the CL league path to take the CL champions path place originally given to the Czechia champions, and the third place team will be moved from the Europa League to take the CL league path place originally given to the Czechia runners-up, and so on. This is mentioned in the regulations Articles 3.07 and 3.08.

https://documents.uefa.com/r/Regulation ... ion-Online

You are absolutely right. And yes, this system will put a successful team from a country that doesn’t have a direct CL spot at a disadvantage if that country got one of the two EPS.

First of all this is very theoretic. It's more than 25 years ago that a country outside the top 10 scored one of the top 2 season coefficients.

And further, suppose the N2 of Czechia could choose (CH path or stay in league path), I'm not so sure that they would opt for the league path. The CH path offers a better opportunity to reach the CL league stage.

It is not so theoretic. If Czech clubs had a better draw at EL-R16 probably it would have happened this season.
I can't know which spot a clubs prefer. There are pros and cons at both. My point as in the example with Portugal is that adding EPS spots after rebalancing clubs doesn't depend on their coefficient only but they are placed based on coefficient of other clubs of their country. It might also be unfair to clubs of other countries since a club from a country that got EPS might win a rebalancing instead of them before being promoted to LP.

[amenina]

You are absolutely right. And yes, this system will put a successful team from a country that doesn’t have a direct CL spot at a disadvantage if that country got one of the two EPS.

First of all this is very theoretic. It's more than 25 years ago that a country outside the top 10 scored one of the top 2 season coefficients.

And further, suppose the N2 of Czechia could choose (CH path or stay in league path), I'm not so sure that they would opt for the league path. The CH path offers a better opportunity to reach the CL league stage.

It is not so theoretic. If Czech clubs had a better draw at EL-R16 probably it would have happened this season.
I can't know which spot a clubs prefer. There are pros and cons at both. My point as in the example with Portugal is that adding EPS spots after rebalancing clubs doesn't depend on their coefficient only but they are placed based on coefficient of other clubs of their country. It might also be unfair to clubs of other countries since a club from a country that got EPS might win a rebalancing instead of them before being promoted to LP.

My understanding of “rebalancing” is that it will only be officially done when every European spot in the qualifying system is settled, which includes the spots allocated by domestic competitions, the three title holders spots for CL, EL, and ECL (which are settled after the three finals), and starting from next season, the EPS spots, which officially are decided only after the 23-24 European season is finished.

So if Czechia finish top two in EPS, champions will be in league stage, runners-up will be in Champions Path, and third place will be in League Path. Then if there are rebalancing, the two Czech teams in qualifying may be promoted to an earlier round. However due to the “no leapfrogging” rule, the Czech third place cannot be promoted to the league stage if the runners-up are playing in qualifying.

So if my understanding is correct, perhaps it is actually theoretically possible for three Czech teams to play in CL league stage, if they win the EPS, and then their runners-up and third place have the highest club coefficients to be promoted to the vacant CL and EL title holder spots. Unless there is a rule that explicitly prohibits the two teams which are “promoted” due to EPS to receive the promotion to the vacant title holder spots.

P.S. Article 3.04a says "A vacancy created by the UEFA Champions League titleholder is filled by the domestic champion(s) with the highest individual club coefficient(s) of all the clubs that qualify for the champions path. The champions path is adapted accordingly, with each subsequent vacancy filled by the club(s) with the highest individual club coefficient(s) of all the clubs in the previous round." So it is somewhat vague whether the Czech runners-up, who are now promoted to the Champions Path after Czechia earn the EPS spot, is eligible to be promoted to fill the CL title holders spot. Perhaps not if UEFA are being strict since they are not the domestic champions. But they are at least eligible for the EL title holder spot since they are one of the teams in qualifying and the highest-ranked Czechia team not qualified for the league phase. So maybe it is not possible for three Czech teams to play in the league phase, but at least it is possible for two Czech teams to play in league phase.

[TommyChat]

Awarding EPS after rebalancing might create some very weird situations. If Czechia had finished at top2 of the season ranking and leagues had finished as it is now then Sparta would have taken the CH spot and Slavia the N2 spot. Since rebalancing is done before awarding EPS Sparta takes part at the rebalancing contest for CL-W and EL-W but due to low coefficient remains at Q2ch while Slavia is promoted from Q2nc to Q3nc since Benfica wins the EL-W rebalancing and Slavia has the highest coefficient from the clubs of Q2nc and replaces Benfica to Q3nc. Then EPS should be awarded and Sparta as champion moves to LP, Slavia replaces Sparta at Q2ch and Plzen replaces Slavia at Q3nc. The outcome is Slavia that had a secured spot at EL-LP might not qualify even at ECL-LP

Awarding EPS slots after moving the champion with the highest coefficient to league stage may make sense at the instance of Slavia winning the championship and has the highest coefficient in the Champions path then Sparta Prague can also start in the league phase through EPS.

Edit: The same applies to Portugal: Benfica 1st, Porto 2nd EL TH spot, Sporting 3rd EPS spot.

But It's weird anyway that a champion can start in Q2 and the runner up in Q3 of the same competition.
But you have since 2015 3rd placed teams of associations 10-12 (6-9 as well in 2015-18) guaranteed EL/ECL groups while runners-up may get completely out when CW qualifies for UCL. I didn't see any team trying to finish third instead of second in their leagues.
The same would apply for Slavia Prague who has bigger chances for CL groups starting in Q2ch then Q3nc.

Finally the changes in coefficient calculation with the bigger increase in CL points in relation to EL and CoL (and in EL to COL) should make it even harder for an 11-55 NA to make it to top 2. This may have been the last season with actual chances.