UEFA Conference League knockout phase playoff pairings named

By Can Erozden

Europe's third-tier UEFA Conference League knockout phase playoff draw was held on Friday, as the Gent vs. Real Betis and the Copenhagen vs. Heidenheim fixtures are two of the fiercest ties of this stage.

The teams that finished the Conference League's league phase from 9th to the 24th spots on Thursday have entered the playoff draw in Switzerland.

The best eight clubs in the Conference League's league standings—Chelsea (England), Vitoria (Portugal), Fiorentina (Italy), Rapid Vienna (Austria), Djurgarden (Sweden), Lugano (Switzerland), Legia Warsaw (Poland), and Cercle Brugge (Belgium)—booked their places each at the Round of 16. So they will skip the playoff.

Following Friday's draw, the playoff ties are as follows:

Gent (Belgium) will meet Real Betis (Spain); Copenhagen (Denmark) will play Heidenheim (Germany); Vikingur Reykjavik (Iceland) will take on Panathinaikos (Greece); Borac Banja Luka (Bosnia and Herzegovina) will meet Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia).

Celje (Slovenia) will face APOEL (Greek Cypriot administration); Omonoia (Greek Cypriot administration) will play Pafos (Greek Cypriot administration); TSC Backa Topola (Serbia) will meet Jagiellonia Bialystok (Poland); and Molde (Norway) will take on Shamrock Rovers (Ireland) in the knockout stage playoff.

The first leg of this phase will be held on Feb. 13, and its second leg matches will be played on Feb. 20, 2025. The winners of this stage will advance to the last 16.

The Round of 16 will begin on March 6.

The 2025 Conference League final will take place on May 28 at the Wroclaw Stadium in Poland.

- Conference League knockout phase playoff ties:

Gent vs. Real Betis

Copenhagen vs. Heidenheim

Vikingur Reykjavik vs. Panathinaikos

Borac Banja Luka vs. Olimpija Ljubljana

Celje vs. APOEL

Omonoia vs. Pafos

TSC Backa Topola vs. Jagiellonia Bialystok

Molde vs. Shamrock Rovers