The upcoming match between Trabzonspor and Galatasaray in the Türkiye Kupası holds significant implications not just for the competing teams but also for several others targeting European competitions. Here’s a breakdown of the scenarios based on the outcomes of the match:
If Trabzonspor wins:
– They will advance directly to the UEFA Europa League play-off round. Even if they are eliminated in that stage, they will still participate in the group stage of the Europa Conference League.
– The team finishing third in the Süper Lig will qualify for the second round of the UEFA Europa League’s qualifying phase.
– The team in fourth place will enter the second round of the Conference League qualification.
Furthermore, finishing in third place offers an advantage, as the team will play fewer matches in the European qualifiers.
If Galatasaray wins:
– Galatasaray has already secured a place in the UEFA Champions League, which means the second position in the cup will now offer European opportunities to the team finishing fifth in the league.
– The team that finishes third in the Süper Lig will not only have access to the Europa League but will enter directly into the play-offs instead of the second round of qualifications.
– The team in fourth place will qualify for the Europa League instead of the Conference League and still have a chance to continue with the third qualifying round in the cup.
Interestingly, even if Trabzonspor loses, they could still find a pathway to Europe depending on other results. A victory for Galatasaray impacts the European prospects for eight teams in total.
Currently, the race for third place is tight, with Beşiktaş at 58 points, Samsunspor at 57, and Başakşehir, holding 51 points, is still mathematically in contention. Additionally, the competition for fifth place remains open among Eyüp, Göztepe, Trabzon, Kasımpaşa, and Konyaspor heading into the final three weeks of the season.
The excitement leading up to this match illustrates the high stakes in Turkish football, reflecting the deep competitive spirit and aspirations of various teams. It’s a reminder of how one match can influence the future of multiple clubs on the European stage.