Potential play-off rivals mapped out for Polish clubs

Poland’s remaining representatives in Europe now have a clearer view of what could await them in the play-off round of the Europa League and Conference League. Lech Poznań, Górnik Zabrze, Jagiellonia Białystok, Raków Częstochowa and GKS Katowice are all involved in the third qualifying round, with the next stage already beginning to take shape.

How the Polish clubs reached this point

The biggest setback so far has been Lech Poznań’s defeat over two legs against Aarhus in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, a result that dropped the Polish champions into the Europa League path. Górnik Zabrze also moved into the Europa League route after a 2:1 defeat against Fenerbahce.

Raków Częstochowa progressed comfortably in the Conference League, beating Valletta 7:1 on aggregate. GKS Katowice recovered from a first-leg 2:1 loss to Žilina by winning the return match at home 3:1. Jagiellonia Białystok now enter the picture in the Europa League, where they are set to face Rangers.

The third-round ties involving Polish clubs are scheduled for 6 and 13 August. Lech will face KI Klaksvik, Górnik take on Ferencvaros, Jagiellonia meet Rangers, Raków play Hammarby and GKS are up against Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Lech and Jagiellonia could benefit from seeding

Lech appear to have the most favourable route on paper. If they get past KI Klaksvik, they would be seeded in the Europa League play-offs. Among the stronger potential opponents in that draw are Trabzonspor, Sint-Truiden, Hapoel Beer Sheva and Kairat Almaty.

If Lech fail to progress against the Faroese side, they would instead enter the Conference League play-offs as an unseeded team in the champions path. In that scenario, possible opponents include Drita, Lincoln Red Imps and KuPS Kuopio.

Jagiellonia would also be seeded in the Europa League play-offs and could face a similar pool of opponents, including Trabzonspor. They would also have seeded status in the Conference League play-offs in the league path. The side coached by Adrian Siemieniec cannot be drawn against other Scottish clubs such as Hearts of Midlothian, Hibernian or Motherwell, but possible opponents include Getafe, Twente, CFR Cluj and Rijeka.

Górnik face a wider range of possibilities

If Górnik reach the Europa League play-offs, they too would be seeded and would look at a similar group of possible opponents to Lech and Jagiellonia. Among the more favourable names mentioned are Sabah Baku, Mjallby and Žalgiris Kaunas.

The picture changes significantly if Górnik drop into the Conference League play-offs. In that case they would be unseeded and exposed to some of the strongest teams potentially available in the draw. The list includes Brighton, Atalanta, Monaco, Freiburg and Ajax. One team they are certain to avoid is Copenhagen.

Raków and GKS head into contrasting positions

The seeding outlook is also clear for the two Polish clubs in the Conference League route. Raków are assured of seeded status, which should offer a more manageable draw if they advance. GKS, by contrast, would be among the unseeded teams and therefore risk facing the strongest sides left in that phase, much like Górnik would in the same competition.

The draw for the Europa League play-offs is set for Monday at 13:00, with the Conference League play-off draw following at 14:00. The play-off matches in both competitions are scheduled for 20 and 27 August.