West Ham will get an incredible double shot at European glory this season which could give them a chance to retain their crown.
West Ham are European champions – a phrase that will never get boring – after the thrilling last minute win over Fiorentina on Wednesday night.
Not only did that end West Ham’s 43-year major trophy drought, it also sealed qualification for the group stages of next season’s Europa League too.
It is a return to the competition in which West Ham came agonisingly close to making the final the season before.
Obviously everyone connected with West Ham will be dreaming and hoping of going all the way in the Europa League.
West Ham will get incredible double shot at European glory this season which could give them a chance to retain crown
But this season the Hammers will have the added security of a safety net.
Because West Ham will get an incredible double shot at European glory this season which could give them a chance to retain their crown.
Should West Ham top their group – as they have in the last two seasons in both the Europa League and Europa Conference League – they will again advance straight to the last 16.
If they finish second they will play one of the eight teams dropping out of the Champions League in a play-off for the last 16.
UEFA safety net means high chance of European knockout football yet again for Hammers
But an added layer of security should things not quite go to plan is that should West Ham finish third in their group, they would drop into the play-off for the Conference League last 16.
And that would keep their European hopes alive while giving them the chance to retain their title.
It means that barring a disaster, West Ham will have a very real shot at the last 16 for either competition.
As we have seen, once the Hammers get to those knockouts we take some stopping.
Only finishing bottom of their group would deny West Ham a round of European knockout football.
Winning the Europa League carries the ultimate prize of qualification for the Champions League.
But should the Hammers drop into the Conference League, winning it would again secure Europa League qualification.
Some football fans have been critical of UEFA’s system which sees the third-placed group teams get a second chance in the competition below.
West Ham may view it differently this season should it help them.
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