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.
We are now in the 42nd article of this coefficient preview series, where Denmark will be the focus. Here is a look at what to expect from the Danes in 2024/25.
Denmark in Europe: Country Profile
| Previous Season Coefficient (Rank) | 8.500 (17th) |
| Previous Season’s 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 31.450 (16th) |
| Starting 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 26.325 (17th) |
Denmark came within a whisker of a top 15 spot last season, losing out as a result of Olympiakos winning the Conference League. Now the Nordic country will enter the 2024/25 season looking to lock down a place in the top 15 once more. Denmark starts in 17th, just 0.300 points behind Greece for 15th place.
This will be a crucial year for Danish football, as they have just 4.125 points to defend. Thus, a good coefficient haul in 2024/25 would not only be useful this season, but also at the start of the next one. Thus, the four Danish representatives better be at their very best, otherwise it will again be a matter of what could have been.
Denmark 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 (%) |
| FC Midtjylland | Domestic Champion | UCL Q2, CH Path | 18 | UECL Playoff Round | 25.500 | 7.475 (23.8%) |
| Silkeborg | Cup Winner | UEL Q2 | 7 | N/A | 7.000 | 0.900 (2.9%) |
| Brøndby | Domestic Runner-up | UECL Q2, Main Path | 33 | N/A | 7.000 | 1.400 (4.5%) |
| København | Domestic Play-off Tournament Winner | UECL Q2, Main Path | 30 | UCL Round of 16 | 51.500 | 15.650 (49.8%) |
FC Midtjylland won the title on the final day after a dramatic, series of events. Their draw at home to Silkeborg, coupled by Brøndby’s defeat versus AGF, allowed Midtjylland to clinch the title. That sees the club from Herning return to the Champions League qualifiers, where they will commence in the second qualifying round. That will be the only round in UCL qualifying where Midtjylland will be seeded, but they will surely be aiming for a spot in the Europa League proper at the bare minimum.
Silkeborg won the cup, sending them to UEL Q2. It will be their second trip to UEL qualifying in three seasons. Making the UECL proper, like they did in 2022/23, will be challenging, as they are not in qualifying at all. In what is their seventh European season, Silkeborg has won just two ties, something they will have to change this summer. They lost their last two-legged tie two summers ago in the UEL playoff round against HJK, a side they could face again at the same stage this year.
Brøndby will be bitterly disappointed to be playing in the Conference League, when they had the title in their hands on the final day. But, the club’s return to Europe will be in the Conference League, in Q2. They will only be seeded for that round, making it even more difficult for them to make the competition’s league phase. The last time they played their way to a group stage came in 2005/06 in the UEFA Cup. Their last main round appearance, which happened three years ago, was when they started in the UCL playoff round, guaranteeing a UEL spot.
FC København, the country’s biggest contributor to the coefficient, will return to the UECL, joining Brøndby in Q2. However, FCK will have the advantage of being seeded throughout qualifying. They are also the second highest ranked team currently in the Conference League by club coefficient, with only Chelsea having more. København made the last 16 of the Champions League last term, after having reached the same round of the UECL back in 2021/22. Much of the Danish coefficient will hinge on FCK’s performance, especially since they will be expected to go far in the Conference League this season.
Denmark’s Season Ambitions
Denmark will be pushing for a spot in the top 15 by season’s end. There are no two ways about it. In fact, they are only 1.675 points away from 12th place Austria, further highlighting the goals the country should be setting for this campaign. A top 15 finish at the least is the aim, but anything higher should also be in the plans.
Denmark earned 8.500 points last season, which was their highest in the last five years. The goal should be to earn 10.000 points, with at least three teams in a league phase. That would go very far in their hopes of a top 15 spot. Anything less should be seen as a disappointment, given the opportunity that is in front of them this term.
What a Successful Season Looks Like for Denmark
From a performance standpoint, having at least three teams in the league phase has to be seen as a success. Of course, all four teams making the main rounds would be something sensational, and would put them in an excellent position for not only the top 15, but maybe even the top 12. Beyond that, having at least two teams in the knockout rounds would make this a successful year for Danish football.
As for a coefficient total, hitting around 9.500 points should be seen as a good year. Anything less than 8.000 has to be considered as a negative, especially after last term. There will be several more points available in the UCL and UEL, while the UECL also increases slightly. This is something the Danish clubs will have to make the most of. So, a total of 9.500 points is an excellent year, but collecting less than 8.000 could be quite problematic.
What to Expect From Denmark in 2024/25
Denmark came so close to top 15 last term, and the benefits that would have came with it. Now, it is up to the four clubs to do better this time. But, can Denmark really finish the season in the top 15? Troels Bager Thøgersen from Tipsbladet does not think so.
“I think a few smartphones were thrown in anger around Denmark when Olympiakos won that final with a goal in the 116th minute,” Bager Thøgersen said when describing the disappointment of the Conference League final from a Danish perspective. “The 2023/24 was probably the year for Denmark (to make the top 15).
While looking on to next season, Bager Thøgersen has little hope in Silkeborg and Brøndby. “I honestly don’t rate Silkeborg and Bröndby’s chances,” the Danish football expert said when asked about both clubs’ chances of making a league phase. “Now Copenhagen and Midtjylland have to do really well, and Copenhagen stumbling in the qualifiers would be a cataclysm for them and Danish football.”
How likely is it that Denmark will finish 15th? Well, that will depend on the qualifiers. If there are two teams or less left, then 15th will not look very good. However, should there be three teams playing fall football, there is reason to hope from a Danish point of view. Overall, expect Denmark’s season to be decided in qualifying. If they collapse there, it will be game over. But, if they have a good summer, watch out.