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 occurring next week, 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.

Article number 33 in this preview series focuses on Belarus. Here is a look at what to expect from the Belarussian clubs in Europe next term.

Belarus in Europe: Country Profile

Belarus had slid down the rankings, going from a top 30 nation not that long ago, to a country looking to avoid being in the bottom five. This is one of the most clear-cut examples of a country going into free-fall in the UEFA five-year coefficient ranking.

Belarus now starts in 53rd spot, a bit more than 0.500 points behind Wales in 50th. That makes things a lot more interesting for Belarussian football. A big year will be required from Belarus in order to remain out of the bottom five of the ranking. Things will be even more challenging without European regulars, BATE, and will require all four teams to do the dirty work.

Belarus in Europe: Club Profile

For the first time in 19 years, Dinamo Minsk became champion of Belarus. That sees them partake in the Champions League for the fourth time, starting in the first qualifying round. However, things have not gone well in Europe of late In four of their last five continental showings, Dinamo lost at the first hurdle. The Belarussian coefficient relies on it.

Neman Grodno prevailed in the cup, beating Isloch in the final. It is just their fifth European season, and second in a row. Neman will want to build off last summer’s run, where they reached UECL Q3. Entering UECL Q2 as an unseeded team, it will be interesting to see whether Neman can replicate the same success.

Torpedo Zhodino finished third in 2023, providing access to Europe for the sixth time. They have also become something of a regular in Europe for Belarus, with this being their third appearance in the last four years. They will have to start from UECL Q1, requiring a strong showing.

Isloch finished fourth in the league standings last year, making their European debut. Belarus’ last debutant in continental football came in 2019/20 through Vitebsk. They lost in UEL Q1 that year. The last Belarussian debutant to win their maiden tie was 13 years ago (FK Minsk). That is the challenge ahead for Isloch, who will be unseeded in UECL Q1.

Belarus’ Season Ambitions

The challenge ahead for Belarus will be to find their way out of the bottom five. That will be a difficult challenge. Adding to the fact that they are missing BATE, they will do very well to achieve this ambition. Adding to that the fact that none of their teams will be seeded in their round of entry, and this year could be disastrous.

A point total that should be targeted for Belarus is 1.750. not only is that a realistic number, but it would also put them on the path to getting out of the bottom five. Seeing that Belarus is 1.750 points away from that magic 6.000-point mark in the five-year coefficient, picking up that coefficient would go a long way towards succeeding in their goal.

What a Good Year Would Look Like for Belarus

A good year for Belarussian football would be having a team in UECL Q3, along with Dinamo Minsk winning their UCL Q1 tie. Between the two options, the latter is more important, as that guarantees Dinamo a place in the UECL playoff round minimum. Among the other three teams, if at least one can make UECL Q3, that would have to be considered a success.

Regarding coefficients, there is no room for error from a Belarussian point of view. Anything less than 1.500 points, which is the amount Belarus is defending this season, would be a failure. Given what is on the line this season, at 2.000 points is considered a very good season, and would almost surely save them.

What to Expect from Belarus in 2024/25

For the first time since 2002/03, BATE will not be involved in Europe. This is a very bad sign for Belarus. To add further perspective, the side from Borisov contributed 2.375 points (35.8%)  over the last five seasons, more than the Belarussian clubs in Europe this season, combined. That is not promising.

To add insult to injury, BATE is not the only club missing out. Shakhtyor Soligorsk and Dynamo Brest are also missing out. Those are Belarus’ top three coefficient contributors over the last five years, responsible for almost three quarter of the points. Save for Dinamo Minsk’s European regularity – this is their 24th appearance, as many as BATE – none of the other clubs have that same European pedigree.

Thus, this could be a very challenging year for Belarussian football. After earning 1.750 points last term, they earned 0.875 points in the two years before that, combined. Do not be surprised if it is a simple year for Belarus. Much depends on Dinamo Minsk’s performance, especially given the fact they have at least four continental games.

Nevertheless, we are looking at a season where Belarus earns 1.250 points at most, which will not be enough to save them from the bottom five. If the four clubs do manage to pull Belarus out of this deep hole, it would be quite the achievement.