Netherlands Stumble as Undefeated Czechs Shine in Europa League Phase
The Europa League League Phase concluded on January 29, 2026, revealing mixed outcomes for various teams. Notably, teams from the Netherlands faced significant setbacks, while the Czech Republic celebrated their undefeated record.
Netherlands Stumble in Europa League
The performance of Dutch teams in the Europa League was disappointing. They entered the competition with three participating teams: Feyenoord, Go Ahead Eagles, and FC Utrecht. Unfortunately, all failed to advance, collectively securing only four wins out of twenty-four matches.
Impact on Dutch Coefficient
This poor performance plays a crucial role in the national coefficient, which is vital for future European competitions. The early exit of these teams marks a low point for Dutch football on the continental stage.
Czech Undefeated Streak
In contrast, the Czech team Viktoria Plzeň achieved a remarkable feat, finishing the group stage unbeaten. Their record included three victories and five draws, which positioned them favorably for the upcoming knockout phase.
Teams Advancing to Knockouts
Several notable teams secured direct advancement to the Round of 16. These include:
- Lyon
- Aston Villa
- Midtjylland
- Freiburg
- Real Betis
- Porto
- Braga
- AS Roma
Interestingly, the Europa League is the only one of the three European competitions where no team won all their matches.
Notable Exits
Several teams that failed to advance included Stuttgart, Nottingham Forest, Lille, Rangers, Nice, Salzburg, Sturm Graz, and Young Boys. Their exits were surprising, especially considering that some had competed in the Champions League the previous season alongside Feyenoord.
As the knockout stages approach, anticipation builds for the draw, which will feature teams ranked ninth through twenty-fourth, including Racing Genk. They concluded their campaign in a frustrating ninth position and will face either Dinamo Zagreb or SK Brann in the next round.
