The UEFA league coefficient is used to rank the leagues of Europe and the purpose of these rankings is to act as a way of determining the number of clubs from each league that will participate in the the UEFA Cup and the Champions League. The ranking determines the number of teams competing in the season after the next. The coefficient is calculated by the results of the clubs of the leagues in the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Champions League over the previous five years. The number of points awarded for each season is divided by the number of clubs participating for that nation in the season. Points are halved for the qualifying rounds for both competitions, while bonus points are awarded for clubs which reach the quarter-finals, semi-finals or final of the Champions League or UEFA Cup are awarded an extra point for each such round. The 'oldest' season is then replaced with the new season's values so that the averages are updated.
While it is too soon to state any significant changes at the top of the UEFA league rankings as the majority of countries in the top 30 still have teams participating in European competitions, a successful campaign for a club in one of the lower-ranked leagues provides an opportunity for the domestic league to climb the rankings. FC BATE Borisov's astonishing feat of progressing to the Champions League Group Stage will see Belarus rise at least 5 places come the end of the season and the club still have a minimum of six group matches to play. Cyprus can expect a similar elevation as Anorthosis Famagusta too made it into the Champions League Group Stage, while Omonia Nicosia's surprise victory over AEK Athens guaranteed them a place in the UEFA Cup First Round. Ireland's St Patrick's Athletic highlighted the rising standard of their domestic league by progressing to the UEFA Cup First Round and are expected to move up around five places and break into the top 30. Finally, FBK Kaunas' victory over Rangers in the Champions League Second Qualifying Round should see Lithuania climb into the top 30.
The league rankings of Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Armenia, San Marino, Andorra and Malta will not change as all their competing teams failed to register any points. Montenegro, meanwhile, will climb two places to 50th.
You can track the rise and falls of the latest UEFA league rankings as the UEFA Cup and Champions League progress here.
No comments:
Post a Comment