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 45 in this series features the Faroe Islands. Here is what we can expect from the Faroese clubs in the 2024/25 season.
Faroe Islands in Europe: Country Profile
| Previous Season Coefficient (Rank) | 2.750 (32nd) |
| Previous Season’s 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 10.375 (38th) |
| Starting 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 9.250 (35th) |
The 2023/24 season proved to be quite a successful one for Faroese football. For the first time ever, a side from the Nordic nation qualified for the main rounds of a European club competition. That helped them into the top 38, where the Faroes edged Iceland and Bosnia – who were also represented in the group stages for the first time.
Now the four teams will have an unenviable task on their hands in trying to secure a place in the top 33 of the coefficient ranking. Faroe Islands is a bit more than 0.600 points away from 33rd place Ireland, giving them a real shot at the all-important 33rd spot. The same four teams have qualified for Europe, which could really be useful for the Faroese coefficient.
Faroe Islands 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 (%) |
| KÍ Klaksvik | Domestic Champion | UCL Q1 | 15 | UECL Group Stage | 10.000 | 4.804 (45.38%) |
| HB Tórshavn | Cup Winner | UECL Q2, Main Path | 24 | UECL Q1 | 2.500 | 1.750 (16.87%) |
| Víkingur Gøta | Domestic Runner-up | UECL Q1 | 11 | UECL Q1 | 6.000 | 0.625 (6.02%) |
| B36 Tórshavn | Domestic Fourth Place | UECL Q1 | 22 | UECL Q3 | 7.000 | 2.500 (24.1%) |
KÍ Klaksvik was the Faroese side to make the Conference League proper last season, pulling off some stunning results in Champions League qualifying against Ferencváros and Häcken. As a result of their incredible run last year, KÍ is seeded in the UCL Q1 draw. That significantly boosts their chance of returning to the UECL proper in the fall.
HB Tórshavn managed to win the cup to make their return to Europe. The Faroe Islands’ record champions will enter UECL Q2, but will be unseeded there. They have not had a good run in Europe in quite a while. In fact, despite their continental regularity, HB has only won one tie in their last seven European appearances. That will have to improve this summer.
Víkingur Gøta finished second in the league last term, seven points behind KÍ. The Vikings currently lead the Betri Deildin on goal difference after 12 games. In what will be their third consecutive season in Europe, Víkingur last won a continental tie two years ago. That was in UECL Q1, the round they enter this summer. Thus, the Vikings will look to recreate that magic again this time around.
B36 Tórshavn finished fourth in the league, and had to count on rivals HB winning the cup, which they did. They have, for the exception of last season, been Faroe Islands’ best team in Europe over the last five seasons. They have Q3 in their last three European campaigns, proving their significance for the Faroes in continental play. They will be seeded in UECL Q1 and Q2, which presents an opportunity for them to return to that round once more.
Faroe Islands‘ Season Ambition
The goal for Faroese football next term is simply to have a team in the UECL proper, which would increase their chances of finishing in the top 33. Of course, KÍ has the best chance of doing so, as they get at least four games. For the three Conference League clubs, it is just a matter of making UECL Q3. Anything better than that is a bonus.
From a coefficient standpoint, Faroe Islands should aim for at least 2.500 points, though they will likely have to collect more than that to stand a chance at 33rd spot. Anything north of 3.000 points is a good season for them, especially after the 2.750 points collected last term.
What a Good Season Would Look Like for Faroese Football
A good year for the Faroe Islands is having KÍ play in the Conference League again, while at least one other team makes the competition’s third qualifying round. All four teams will need to contribute to the coefficient, because a spot in the top 33 is on the line. Attain those results, and it should be seen as a pretty good year for the Faroes.
From a coefficient point of view, it should be seen as a success if Faroe Islands surpasses 3.000 points this term. Anything less than 2.500 points should be seen as a failure, and would likely cost Faroe Islands a spot in the top 33. It will be a big challenge, but if the Faroese clubs can come together ad cheer on their team, this could be another strong year for the Faroese clubs in Europe.
What to Expect From Faroe Islands in 2024/25
So, what can we expect from Faroe Islands in 2024/25? Can they repeat the same magic as last summer and fall? It will not be easy, but it is quite possible. Speaking with Antonin Bardin from Nordisk Football, he is not feeling all that optimistic.
“For me, it’s almost impossible,” Bardin said when asked as to whether the Faroes can finish in the top 33. “The Faroe Islands’ UEFA coefficient got a huge boost thanks to KÍ’s historic run, but to repeat it would be almost impossible. It would be a miracle.”
When asked as to whether the good domestic form will translate into continental success, Bardin was also doubtful here. “At European level, it’s a different story,” . These teams don’t necessarily have experience of this kind of event. Vikingur seem to be the best equipped, but not enough to reach the group stage.”
Faroe Islands has a chance at the top 33. Assuming that the training has already begun, teams are preparing for the summer. Overall, Faroe Islands should be good to challenge the likes of Kosovo and Ireland for 33rd. The chances are there, but the Faroes will just have to make of the most of the opportunity.