The UEFA Conference League for the 2023/2024 season has reached the round of 16, with the draw held today in Nyon, Switzerland. The lineup for the next stage brings a mix of clubs from across Europe, highlighting the tournament’s broad appeal and competitive depth.
In the upcoming rounds, Servette from Switzerland will face Viktoria Plzeň from the Czech Republic. Ajax of the Netherlands will meet Aston Villa from England, while Molde from Norway will take on Club Brugge from Belgium. Union Saint-Gilloise will clash with Fenerbahçe from Turkey, Dinamo Zagreb from Croatia will play PAOK from Greece, Sturm from Austria will face Lille from France, Maccabi Haifa from Israel will go up against Fiorentina from Italy, and Olympiacos from Greece will duel with Maccabi Tel Aviv from Israel. These matchups set the stage for a night of strategic football and high-stakes return legs later in the competition’s calendar. (Source attribution: UEFA official communications)
The opening legs are scheduled to kick off on March 7, followed by the second legs on March 14. The competition will culminate with the final, scheduled to be hosted at Hagia Sophia Stadium in Athens on May 29, a venue noted for its historic significance and atmosphere that could influence the outcome of the match. (Source attribution: UEFA calendar notes)
West Ham United, based in London, enter as the current champions after defeating Fiorentina 2-1 in the 2023 final, signaling a strong performance by an English club to hold the title for the season. This status adds a benchmark for potential challengers in the 2023/2024 campaign, as teams aim to dethrone the title holders and push deep into the knockout rounds. (Source attribution: competition recap)
Earlier reporting also drew attention to the standout performances of a Russian goalkeeper during the competition, underscoring how individual contributions can influence closely contested ties. This kind of praise reflects the broader theme of how goalkeepers can tilt the balance in a knockout format where every goal matters and set-piece moments often decide ties. (Source attribution: match commentary notes)