Greece

Greece in the UEFA country ranking

Greece has long remained one of the more important second-tier nations in European football. Its clubs regularly compete in European competitions, although they generally do not challenge for the top prizes in the Champions League. Greece's position in the UEFA Country Ranking can change from season to season, as it depends on the results of all Greek teams participating in European competitions.

The UEFA Country Ranking is based on the results of clubs from each country in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League. Points earned for wins, draws and progression are added together and then converted into a coefficient for the country as a whole. This means that Greece's position is not determined by a single club, but by the performance of its entire group of representatives.

A stable but challenging position

Greek teams most often find themselves in the middle section of the European rankings. This position allows Greece to enter several clubs in European competitions, but it does not always guarantee direct access for the domestic champion to the Champions League league phase. Qualification rounds are usually required, and every poor result can have an impact on the country's overall ranking.

In recent seasons, Greek clubs have improved their position thanks to strong performances in the Conference League and Europa League. These competitions give Greek teams a greater opportunity to record regular victories and progress through the rounds, earning the points needed to move up the ranking. The results of several leading clubs are particularly important, as weaker teams often end their campaigns during the qualifying rounds.

Olympiakos makes history

The greatest achievement in Greek club football came when Olympiakos won the Conference League in the 2023/24 season. The final, played in Athens, ended with a victory over Fiorentina, making Olympiakos the first Greek club to win a major UEFA club trophy. It was a landmark moment for Greek football as a whole and one of the most significant achievements in the history of the country's clubs in European competitions.

Olympiakos' triumph also had an impact on the country ranking. The successful campaign earned Greece a significant number of coefficient points, while the club itself gained greater prestige and a stronger position for future draws. The success demonstrated that a Greek team can compete effectively not only in qualifying rounds, but also in the decisive stages of European competitions.

Panathinaikos and the most important historical achievements

Panathinaikos is the Greek club that has achieved the country's best result in Europe's most prestigious club competition. In the 1970/71 season, the club reached the European Cup final, the predecessor of the Champions League. The Greek side lost the decisive match to Ajax, but remains the only Greek club to have reached the final of the competition.

Panathinaikos also reached the European Cup semi-finals and, in later years, recorded notable victories over highly regarded opponents. However, most of the club's major achievements belong to earlier decades. Today, Panathinaikos and Greece's other leading clubs are primarily focused on regularly reaching the league phases of European competitions and strengthening their position in the ranking.

Importance for the future

Greece currently has solid foundations for remaining among Europe's mid-ranking nations. Olympiakos, Panathinaikos, PAOK and AEK Athens can all earn valuable coefficient points, but strong performances from several clubs at the same time are necessary. A single triumph can improve the league's reputation, but sustained progress in the ranking requires consistent results over many seasons.

The main objective for Greek clubs is therefore not only to compete for trophies, but also to make frequent appearances in the league phases of European competitions. This can help Greece maintain a competitive position and increase its chances of securing more favourable starting positions in future UEFA competitions.