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 32 in this preview series focuses on Ukraine. Here is a look at what to expect from the Ukrainian clubs in Europe next term.
Ukraine In Europe: Country Profile
| Previous Season Coefficient (Rank) | 4.100 (25th) |
| Previous Season’s 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 28.000 (23rd) |
| Starting 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 22.000 (19th) |
Ukraine’s decline on the continental scene is in full swing, after a rather dismal 2023/24 season. From being a top 10 country at the end of the 2019/20, to dropping out of the top 15 for the first time in a quarter of a century last season, it feels like Ukrainian football is at an all-time low.
In what will likely be their last season with five teams in Europe for a while, the challenge will be for them to climb back into the top 15. While that is still possible this term, it will require a very big year, combined with less than standard showings from others around them, in order to return to the top 15.
Ukraine 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 (%) |
| Shakhtar Donetsk | Domestic Champion | UCL League Phase | 30 | UEL Knockout Round Playoffs | 63.000 | 13.900 (61.5%) |
| Dynamo Kyiv | Domestic Runner-up | UCL Q2 (League Path) | 33 | UECL Playoff Round | 26.500 | 6.100 (21.8%) |
| Kryvbas | Domestic Third Place | UEL Q3 | 3 | N/A | 5.600 | N/A |
| Dnipro-1 | Domestic Fourth Place | UECL Q2, Main Path | 3 | UECL Playoff Round | 10.500 | 2.100 (7.5%) |
| Zhytomyr | Domestic Fifth Place | UECL Q2, Main Path | Debut | N/A | 5.600 | N/A |
Shakhtar Donetsk was crowned Ukrainian champions for the second season running, and, due to UEFA’s new titleholder rebalancing principles, qualified for the UCL’s new league phase. The Pitmen were the highest ranked domestic champion due to partake in UCL qualifying, but due to Real Madrid occupying two automatic UCL spots, Shakhtar won one of the spots. It will be their eighth season in a row playing in Europe’s most elite club competition at the main round.
Dynamo Kyiv missed out on group stage football for the first time in almost two decades last fall. Losing in Conference League qualifying to Beşiktaş, it was a disappointing summer for Ukraine’s record champions. However, they return to UCL qualifying in July after finishing second in the league. They will be seeded in Q2, which if they win, will secure them at least a UEL league phase spot.
Kryvbas surprised many by finishing third in the league last season. The reward is a return to Europe 25 years after their last appearance. They will commence in UEL Q3. So far, all of Kryvbas’ continental games have come in the Europa League, or under the competition’s previous name of the UEFA Cup. They require just one win this summer to secure UECL football in the fall, minimum.
Dnipro-1 ended up in fourth spot in the league to make a return to Europe. Last summer, they had the unwanted record of being the first team to lose in UCL Q2 league path, UEL Q3, and the UECL playoff round, all in a row. That had virtually sealed Ukraine’s fate with regards to top 15. Dnipro-1 starts in UECL Q2 this summer, looking to make amends from last summer.
Ukraine’s newest European representative is Zhytomyr, who beat out Rukh Lviv for fifth spot. Joining Dnipro-1 in UECL Q2, Zhytomyr will be unseeded, and will likely face a proper challenge in that round. Any points Ukraine gets from the club should be seen as a bonus, as they will likely not get past Q3.
Ukraine’s Season Ambitions
Realistically, Ukraine should be aiming to get as many points as they can so they can return to the battle for the top 15 next term. However, a place in the top 15 could be theirs if they can have a phenomenal year. That would require at least four teams in the league phases, which does not look likely.
Beyond that, Ukraine should be aiming for about 7.000 points next season, minimum. After all, they have 6.800 points to defend, which is the most they made in the last four years. Thus, a good showing will be required by all five of the Ukrainian clubs.
What a Successful Season Looks Like for Ukraine
For Ukraine, a successful season would be making serious headway on the countries above them in the race for the top 15. The likelihood of them earning 15th place is next to nil, so small victories first, like not moving any further down the rankings. At least three teams in the league phase is a good year, with anything more than that a sizable success.
It should be a successful year in the coefficient ranking if Ukraine can at least match the points they are defending this year. That would make it a great season, and provide some hope going into the 2025/26 campaign.
What to Expect From Ukraine in 2024/25
Ukraine looks set for another difficult year in Europe. The league is understandably not the same as it once was, and it has already shown in continental play. For it to suddenly improve is unlikely.
British journalist Andrew Todos from Zorya Londonsk agrees. “It’s going to be tough,” said Todos when asked as to whether Ukraine will improve in the not-too-distant future. “There is hope that the likes of a FC Zhytomyr, who is expected to be backed well by their owner, could become a second European force for Ukraine after Shakhtar be it in the UEL or UECL. But we will have to see.”
Regarding Kryvbas, Dnipro-1 and Zhytomr, Todos was asked about who is most likely to have an impact on Ukraine’s coefficient this summer. “Kryvbas for sure as they have the least amount of Q rounds to get through,” believes Todos. “A favourable draw in the UEL could see them make it to the playoff round and in that case they’ll be guaranteed a UECL spot at a minimum.”
Todos was pessimistic on Dnipro-1. “If Dnipro-1 make it past the 2QR it would be a big surprise,” states the English-based journalist. “Zhytomyr is expected to give it a good go with a number of new signings this summer and a new manager. But equally that puts them as a bit of an unknown entity as it’s their manager’s first senior team coaching role.”
Expect Ukraine to struggle, taking more steps back than forward. There is nothing to convince us that Ukraine will have a good year in all honesty. Therefore, expect a total of no more than 5.000 points from Ukraine. That could go a long way to cementing a place higher than 22nd.