Detailed explanation of the play off rules of the European Cup qualifiers: which teams are expected to advance to the main match through the play off?

According to CCTV5 program list (January 2, 2024), the European Cup qualifier play off will be held at the end of this month. A total of 16 teams will compete for the last four places to qualify for the main round. What are the rules of the play offs? Which teams are expected to advance to the regular match through the play offs? Let's get to know

According to CCTV5 program list (January 2, 2024), the European Cup qualifier play off will be held at the end of this month. A total of 16 teams will compete for the last four places to qualify for the main round. What are the rules of the play offs? Which teams are expected to advance to the regular match through the play offs? Let's take a look.

The rules of the play offs are based on the results of the European National League. The first team of the four groups in each league can participate in the play off if it does not advance directly or enter the play off in the European Cup qualifier. If the first team in the four groups of a league has been promoted or entered the play off, the play off quota of the league will be transferred to the team with the highest ranking in the next league. The play offs are divided into four paths. Each path has four teams, which will conduct the semi-finals and finals respectively. The single game elimination system will enable the winner to advance to the main match.

At present, four paths of the play offs have been determined, namely, A, B, C and D. The teams in Route A are Iceland, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary. These four teams are all A-level teams in the European National League, and their strength is equal. Iceland and Romania will meet in the semi-final, and Bulgaria and Hungary will meet in the other semi-final. Iceland was the dark horse of the 2016 European Cup, and had eliminated England. However, the opponents of this play off should not be underestimated. Romania has a group of young and promising players, and Bulgaria and Hungary also have excellent strength. The final of Route A will be held in Bucharest, Romania or Budapest, Hungary, which is a great advantage for these two teams.

The teams in Route B are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Slovakia and Ireland. These four teams are all B-level teams in the European National League, and their strengths are not different. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Northern Ireland will face each other in the semi-final, while Slovakia and Ireland will face each other in the other semi-final. Bosnia and Herzegovina is the No. 1 seed of Route B, and has a number of stars who play in the European top league, such as Piani ć, Dzeko and Viska, who are the favourites to enter the race. Northern Ireland and Ireland are teams from the British Isles with similar styles, both focusing on defense and counterattack. Slovakia is a technical team with core players like Hamsik. The final of Route B will be held in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Dublin, Ireland, which is a great advantage for these two teams.

The teams in Route C are Scotland, Israel, Norway and Serbia. These four teams are all C-level teams in the European National League, with a gap in strength. Scotland and Israel will meet in the semi-final, and Norway and Serbia will compete in the other semi-final. Scotland is the number one seed of Route C, with a number of players playing in the Premier League, such as Robertson, McGuin, Dix, and so on, and is a strong contender to qualify for the race. Israel is a team of great strength, with strikers like Zahavi, but it did not perform well in the European Cup qualifiers, ranking only fifth. Norway is a young and promising team with European football star Harland. He has scored 10 goals in the Champions League this season and is one of the hottest forwards in Europe. Serbia is a strong team, with many players playing in the European top league, such as Milinkovic Savic, Tadic, Jovic, and so on, who are the favourites to enter the race. The final of Route C will be held in Glasgow, Scotland or Belgrade, Serbia, which is a great advantage for these two teams.

The teams in Route D are Georgia, Belarus, Northern Macedonia and Kosovo. These four teams are all D-level teams in the European National League, and their strength is weak. Georgia and Belarus will meet in the semi-final, and Northern Macedonia and Kosovo will meet in the other semi-final. Georgia is the No. 1 seed of Path D. With some players playing in the European League, such as Kawakhelia, Ananovic, etc., Georgia is a strong contender to advance to the regular match. Belarus is an average team with some players playing in the Russian league, such as Salomon, Gord, Laptev, but it did not perform well in the European Cup qualifiers, ranking only fourth. Northern Macedonia is a weak team, with some players playing in the European League, such as Padrini, Arioski, Trajkovski, etc., but it did not perform well in the European Cup qualifiers, ranking only third. Kosovo is a new team, with some players playing in the European League, such as Muric, Lashnika, Bellasha, etc., but it did not perform well in the European Cup qualifiers, ranking only fourth. The final of Route D will be held in Tbilisi, Georgia or Skopje, Northern Macedonia, which is a great advantage for these two teams.

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