Total win for European competitors, two rounds very close

The Celje football club has been drawn into a challenging group for the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League, with mixed feelings following the draw. The team, coached by Portuguese manager Vitor Campelos, narrowly missed qualifying for the Champions League after losing their playoff match against Slovan Bratislava. Now, they face a demanding set of opponents, including some of Europe's top clubs, and will not have a home advantage in the group stage. Campelos' side will compete against Bayer Leverkusen, a German Bundesliga champion from the 2023/24 season and a former European Cup winner. They will travel to Germany for this match, facing the team that finished second in the Bundesliga last year. In contrast, their encounter with Olympiacos Piraeus will take place at home, on the pitch of the Celje stadium. Olympiacos, Greece’s most successful club with 48 league titles and 29 domestic cups, boasts over two million fans and 83,000 registered supporters, making it likely that a large contingent of Greek supporters will attend the matches in Slovenia. In addition to these high-profile teams, Celje will also face Austrian sides Salzburg and Sturm Graz. Salzburg, which has provided experience abroad for players such as Benjamin Šeško, will host Celje at their home ground. Meanwhile, Sturm Graz, whose jersey is worn by Slovenian international Jon Gorenc Stankovič, will visit Celje. This marks the closest away game for Celje in the Europa League, though they still face long journeys, including a trip to Armenia to face Ararat-Armenia, a team they recently encountered during the Champions League qualifiers. The draw also includes other notable teams such as Ferencvaros Budapest, Omonia Nicosia, and NEC Nijmegen, all of whom bring their own strengths and histories to the competition. With each win in the group stage, Celje stands to earn €450,000, while a draw would yield €150,000. These financial rewards could significantly impact the club's budget and future planning. The initial round of matches in the Europa League will begin on September 16 and 17, with the exact schedule to be announced by UEFA soon. The final group stage matches are scheduled for January 28. The draw has left the Celje squad with a tough challenge ahead, but Campelos expressed his determination to represent both the city and Slovenia to the best of their abilities. He emphasized the desire to compete rather than merely participate, acknowledging the strength of the opposition they will face. The group stage will see Celje hosting several matches at their home stadium, offering opportunities for local support to rally behind the team. However, the challenges of traveling to distant venues remain a factor in their preparations. As the new season approaches, the focus will shift towards ensuring that the team can perform well under pressure and make the most of their chances in the Europa League. The upcoming matches will test the resilience and adaptability of the Celje squad, particularly given the variety of styles and strategies employed by their opponents. Each match presents an opportunity to gain points and potentially secure a favorable position in the group standings. The club's performance in the Europa League will be crucial not only for their own ambitions but also for the broader representation of Slovenian football on the European stage.