The 2024/25 European season is quickly approaching, with 236 clubs set to compete in UEFA’s continental club competitions this season.
With the first qualifying round draws less than two weeks away, Extratime Talk will be providing a comprehensive coefficient preview. Between now and then, each country will be previewed, and all clubs participating in Europe for the 2024/25 season are discussed.
In these articles, we will provide analyses of what to expect from each country in Europe. We will explore what is on the line from a coefficient standpoint, and the keys to succeeding, in that country’s case.
Armenia is the 21st country to be discussed in this series, as we dive into what we can expect from them this season.
Armenia In Europe: Country Profile
| Previous Season Coefficient (Rank) | 2.250 (33rd) |
| Previous Season’s 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 10.625 (36th) |
| Starting 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 7.785 (40th) |
After back-to-back years of having a team in the UEFA Conference League group stage, Armenia went without a group stage representative last term. Still, they managed to win 2.250 points, which is still a solid score. Armenia, along with Latvia, are the only two countries outside of the top 35 of UEFA’s current coefficient ranking to have multiple teams make the main round.
As we head to 2024/25, Armenia will be hoping to work the same magic as the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons. In Pyunik and Ararat-Armenia, there are two teams who will be seeded at some point in qualifying. That hints to the potential of a big year coming Armenia’s way in the European club competitions.
Armenia In Europe: Club Profile
| Club | Qualified As | Round of Entry | Total European Seasons | Last Season’s Performance | 5-Year Club Coefficient (2023/24) | 5-Year Country Coefficient Contribution, 2023/24 (%) |
| Pyunik | Domestic Champion | UCL Q1 | 21 | UECL Q3 | 8.000 | 3.500 (32.94%) |
| Ararat-Armenia | Cup Winner | UECL Q2, Main Path | 5 | UECL Q2 | 8.000 | 2.875 (28.06%) |
| Noah | Domestic Runner-up | UECL Q1 | 3 | N/A | 2.125 | 0.375 (3.53%) |
| Urartu | Domestic Third Place | UECL Q1 | 3 | UECL Q2 | 3.500 | 0.250 (3.53%) |
Pyunik left it rather late, but in the end, they passed both Noah and Ararat-Armenia to win the Armenian title. Entering Q1 of the Champions League, Pyunik will be seeded in that round, which is a much-needed boost. Having made the group stage two years ago, fans will hope that Akademiya can make the return this summer.
Ararat-Armenia defeated Urartu in the cup final, which secured their Euroepan spot. Despite being in the title race for quite a bit, they fell off close to the end, resulting in them finishing third. Ararat-Armenia has reached the playoff round in twice of their four continental campaigns. That could be somethign to look at, seeing just how close they are to making a league phase.
League runners-up Noah will see a shot as Champions League football as a missed opportunity. They dominated the Armenian top flight for much of the 2023/24 season. However, that faltered towards the end, ultimately finish second. They have never progressed in either of their previous two European seasons. Noah will also be unseeded in UECL, making things a lot more challenging for them.
Urartu held off Alashkert for fourth spot, joining Noah in UECL Q1. They have lost five of the six continental clashes they have had to this point. While they have a win in the past, a positive result this time around could be beneficial for them. They are seeded for the UECL Q1 draw, which could end up doing them a lot of good.
Armenia’s Season Ambitions
Armenia, like quite a few of the countries around them, will be pushing to a place in the top 38. That will more than likely be their ceiling for the season, as reaching 33rd place would be quite a task for them. However, Armenia should push for 38th place in the five-year ranking. They start just 0.500 points behind 38th placed Latvia, which makes the task at hand even more achievable.
Armenia only has 1.375 points to defend from that horrible 2020/21 season. Doubling that score should be enough to leave Armenia in the top 38 this term. Ideally, Armenia should have the ambition to reach 11.000 points in the five-year ranking. That would require more than 3.000 points, but it could happen.
What a Successful Season Would Be for Armenia
Armenia is in an interesting position. They are coming off of three very good years for their standards. Now that they can get teams into the league phase, what should be the ambition for Armenia? How about getting a team in the league phase, and another team in the UECL playoff rounds? That feels possible, especially since Pyunik and Ararat-Armenia are in Europe. The pair combine for 61% of the Armenian five-year coefficient.
Overall, a good year for Armenian teams in Europe would be to see all of their teams progress at least once. Pyunik making the UECL league phase should also be a massive positive, should it happen. Beyond that, a coefficient of at least 2.500 has to be considered a great year.
What to Expect From Armenia in 2024/25
Armenia should be in an intense race for 38th spot. This feels doable for them, and among the four teams representing them in Europe this year, that does look possible. We can expect maybe one or two surprises from the Armenian sides this year, but will it be enough for a top 38 spot?
Speaking to Viniicue Kindle from Armênia Brasil, he feels there is some just reason of confidence. “Noah and Ararat-Armenia have the biggest chances to going farther in ECL,” said Kindle when looking at the UECL teams.
Pyunik should be back for making a league phase, as they did two years ago. As long as they do it, then the league is in a decent position. There was optimism from Kindle on that too. “ Pyunik does have possibilities to pass two rounds without difficulty, though at the same time I worry as Pyunik had some trouble in the second part of the 2023/24 season.”
Overall, Armenia should be in the top 38 at season’s end. They have a solid lineup of clubs, and for that reason, it is quite challenging to look past them. It is now just a matter of living up to the expectations, something that can definitely be done by the Armenian sides.