Europe

[Centre Hawf]

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But we would qualify if we won the first two rounds of the Europa League qualifiers as we’d be guaranteed conference?

Yeah but the point Fergus makes is that to win both those ties is a huge ask due to the seeding system. If we were to even win the first round somehow then that could then make the conference play off much harder in the likelihood we lose the next EL round. Of course if we somehow turn into juggernauts and win the first two rounds we’re golden, but we’d have to beat two sides that are well ahead of us in the pecking order. Whereas if we lose the first time round and then beat Shamrock we’d have a much more winnable tie than if we beat Braga and then lost to Cluj for example.

[LancsHibs]

AEK Larnaca please🙏

[Ronniekirk]

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Yeah but the point Fergus makes is that to win both those ties is a huge ask due to the seeding system. If we were to even win the first round somehow then that could then make the conference play off much harder in the likelihood we lose the next EL round. Of course if we somehow turn into juggernauts and win the first two rounds we’re golden, but we’d have to beat two sides that are well ahead of us in the pecking order. Whereas if we lose the first time round and then beat Shamrock we’d have a much more winnable tie than if we beat Braga and then lost to Cluj for example.

And the timing of these games is tricky now with team not really into its stride and new players still gelling with team

[Fergus52]

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Not sure there are many guarantees that any beatable team in Q3 would be seeded for the playoff round.

Shamrock Rovers, Omonia Nicosia, Macabi Haifa are all currently seeded in Q3, with a high enough coefficient to also be seeded in the play off, no matter what.

All three are beatable imo, and should we draw them would guarantee us to be seeded in the next round

[SunshineOnLeith]

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Think the best we'll get will be a couple of ties. One against a "glamour" team maybe before getting papped out. Just being realistic.

Your best case scenario is us not winning a single tie? Christ.

[Phil MaGlass]

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It has maybe been added somewhere on this thread already, but I had just put together some dates for your diaries for all the European games for the Hibs teams for the upcoming season, so I thought I would share them here –

Hibernian FC First team – Hibs enter the UEFA Europa League, at 2^rd round. This is the 55^th edition Season 2025-26 (Scotland are ranked 14^th)
First round draw 17^th June
Second round draw 18^th June
Third round draw 21^st July
First Round games played 10^th and 17^th July

Second Round games played 24^th and 31st July

Third Round games played 7^th and 14^th Aug
Play-offs 21^st and 28^th Aug
League phase Match Day 1 24/25^th September through to Match Day 8 29^th Jan.
Should we lose out in the Europa League we drop down to the Conference League Qualifying League 3^rd round where we would again be unseeded (Scotland ranked 11^th) the draw is made on the 4^{th of} Aug. Games played 7^th and 14^th Aug, Play-offs 21^st and 28^th Aug.

Hibernian FC Women – Play in the 2025–26 UEFA Women's Champions League 25^th edition. Scotland are ranked 16^th.
Hibs entre at the 2^nd round. Draw date 24^th June. And Played 27^th of Aug and 30^th Aug.
If the win they play in the 3^rd round, Draw 31^st Aug, Played 11th and 18^th Sept.
If they win that they entre the League phase with that draw on the 19^{th of} Sept, and six games played between 7/8 Oct and 17^th Dec,

Hibernian FC Under 19s – Hibs enter at the second round of the UEFA Youth League (12^th Edition) Scotland ranked 14^th.
The draw is made on the 3^{rd of} September
2^nd round played 22^nd Oct / 5^th Nov

3^rd round played 26^th Nov / 10^th Dec

Should they progress, they join the winning teams from UEFA Campions League path and are in the round of 32 with the draw being on the 12th of Dec.
The round of 32 play on the 3/4^th Feb 2026.
The round of 16 play on the 24/25^th Feb (Draw for round of 16 onwards is the 6^th Feb)

If anyone spots any mistakes in the above, please feel free to comment with correctiosn.

Thanks for that

[SteveHFC]

Croatia cup final 2nd leg 0-0 at half time 1st leg was 1-1
has a bearing for us as Shakhtar will move to league phase if Slaven Belupo win tonight


well looks like Shakhtar it is as Rijeka 1-0 2-1 on agg

[B.H.F.C]

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Croatia cup final 2nd leg 0-0 at half time 1st leg was 1-1
has a bearing for us as Shaktar will move to league phase if Slaven Belupo win tonight

Some of the scenarios are mental. But any of the big teams not being involved at the same stage we enter would be good.

[CapitalGreen]

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Croatia cup final 2nd leg 0-0 at half time 1st leg was 1-1
has a bearing for us as Shaktar will move to league phase if Slaven Belupo win tonight

1-0 Rijeka

Given up hoping results go out way. We will just need to do it ourselves like we did in the league.

[SteveHFC]

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Some of the scenarios are mental. But any of the big teams not being involved at the same stage we enter would be good.

on plus side the croatia cup final doesnt put fear into to me if thats their standard

[Tambo]

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It has maybe been added somewhere on this thread already, but I had just put together some dates for your diaries for all the European games for the Hibs teams for the upcoming season, so I thought I would share them here –

Hibernian FC First team – Hibs enter the UEFA Europa League, at 2^rd round. This is the 55^th edition Season 2025-26 (Scotland are ranked 14^th)
First round draw 17^th June
Second round draw 18^th June
Third round draw 21^st July
First Round games played 10^th and 17^th July

Second Round games played 24^th and 31st July

Third Round games played 7^th and 14^th Aug
Play-offs 21^st and 28^th Aug
League phase Match Day 1 24/25^th September through to Match Day 8 29^th Jan.
Should we lose out in the Europa League we drop down to the Conference League Qualifying League 3^rd round where we would again be unseeded (Scotland ranked 11^th) the draw is made on the 4^{th of} Aug. Games played 7^th and 14^th Aug, Play-offs 21^st and 28^th Aug.

Hibernian FC Women – Play in the 2025–26 UEFA Women's Champions League 25^th edition. Scotland are ranked 16^th.
Hibs entre at the 2^nd round. Draw date 24^th June. And Played 27^th of Aug and 30^th Aug.
If the win they play in the 3^rd round, Draw 31^st Aug, Played 11th and 18^th Sept.
If they win that they entre the League phase with that draw on the 19^{th of} Sept, and six games played between 7/8 Oct and 17^th Dec,

Hibernian FC Under 19s – Hibs enter at the second round of the UEFA Youth League (12^th Edition) Scotland ranked 14^th.
The draw is made on the 3^{rd of} September
2^nd round played 22^nd Oct / 5^th Nov

3^rd round played 26^th Nov / 10^th Dec

Should they progress, they join the winning teams from UEFA Campions League path and are in the round of 32 with the draw being on the 12th of Dec.
The round of 32 play on the 3/4^th Feb 2026.
The round of 16 play on the 24/25^th Feb (Draw for round of 16 onwards is the 6^th Feb)

If anyone spots any mistakes in the above, please feel free to comment with correctiosn.

Great updates Mo, why is the second round draw a day after? should just do it the same day.

[SteveHFC]

Ft 2-1 Rijeka on agg so means Shakhtar go into round 1

so if im right we have
Anderlecht, Midtjylland, Braga all confirmed as seeded for 2nd round with Lugano all but rubber stamped unless Basle have a nightmare in sundays cup final

[SunshineOnLeith]

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Ft 2-1 Rijeka on agg so means Shakhtar go into round 1

so if im right we have
Anderlecht, Midtjylland, Braga all confirmed as seeded for 2nd round with Lugano all but rubber stamped unless Basle have a nightmare in sundays cup final

Given how we ended up in this situation, I'd be wary of rubber stamping anyone before a cup final!

[SteveHFC]

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Given how we ended up in this situation, I'd be wary of rubber stamping anyone before a cup final!

[Bobby's Cinema]

All the seeds have regular European experience year after year looks a daunting list. One or two surprises in round 1 would be good.

[JasonC1875]

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Ft 2-1 Rijeka on agg so means Shakhtar go into round 1

so if im right we have
Anderlecht, Midtjylland, Braga all confirmed as seeded for 2nd round with Lugano all but rubber stamped unless Basle have a nightmare in sundays cup final

Also means we would definitely be seeded for the following round if we manage to beat Anderlecht, Braga or Midtjylland (big ask I know)

[Hibby Kay-Yay]

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Also means we would definitely be seeded for the following round if we manage to beat Anderlecht, Braga or Midtjylland (big ask I know)

Any bigger than beating either of the old firm though?

[Hibernian Verse]

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Any bigger than beating either of the old firm though?

Anderlecht lost 15 league games this year and finished 4th. I'd fancy our chances.

[SteveHFC]

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Anderlecht lost 15 league games this year and finished 4th. I'd fancy our chances.

That's why I am still confident they all are big nanes but they are starting in round before and our round for a reason

[SunshineOnLeith]

None of the seeds are going to be better than Rangers, and I'd fancy us against them over 2 legs at the moment.

[bingo70]

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Any bigger than beating either of the old firm though?

In a one off game they’re all beatable, including the old firm. Over 2 legs would make it a lot more difficult.

Not impossible though. When I’ve watched Hearts in Europe recently I’ve never really been blown away by bigger opposition, with a bit more belief and conviction they should have won more games than they did.

Someone smarter than me also pointed out we are quite well suited to European football against bigger clubs as we’re really comfortable without the ball and happy to hit on the counter attack. We’re unlikely to go and open up and go toe to toe with them which would leave lots of space. I think there’s a very good chance whoever we get will underestimate us because of where we’re from.

I think we could give a bloody nose to all the teams in the draw we could get, obviously the better teams could give us a bit of a hiding, especially on their own turf though if we’re not at our best.

[EGL2000]

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None of the seeds are going to be better than Rangers, and I'd fancy us against them over 2 legs at the moment.

The two legs make it much harder. I think everyone would accept these teams are better than us player by player. A one of game you could get a result for a number of reasons. However, over 2 legs thats much more limited as you've got longer for the team with more quality to shine through. Yes we can beat Celtic in a one of game. When was the last team we came out on top over 2 game aggregate against them?

[EGL2000]

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In a one off game they’re all beatable, including the old firm. Over 2 legs would make it a lot more difficult.

Not impossible though. When I’ve watched Hearts in Europe recently I’ve never really been blown away by bigger opposition, with a bit more belief and conviction they should have won more games than they did.

Someone smarter than me also pointed out we are quite well suited to European football against bigger clubs as we’re really comfortable without the ball and happy to hit on the counter attack. We’re unlikely to go and open up and go toe to toe with them which would leave lots of space. I think there’s a very good chance whoever we get will underestimate us because of where we’re from.

I think we could give a bloody nose to all the teams in the draw we could get, obviously the better teams could give us a bit of a hiding, especially on their own turf though if we’re not at our best.

I thought fiorentina were streets ahead of hearts when they played there but I get what you mean. Would imagine Braga would be of similar difficulty if we were unlucky enough to draw them.

[EGL2000]

Was thinking Anderlecht would probably be the best shout of the bigger teams. However, they still have some really good players in their team with huge European experience.

Jan Vertonghen
Kasper Dolberg
Thorgan Hazard
Leander Dendonker

If we get them some really good players to test ourselves against!

[B.H.F.C]

Anderlecht had some decent results in Europe this season. Would be plenty options for getting there.

[Springbank]

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Was thinking Anderlecht would probably be the best shout of the bigger teams. However, they still have some really good players in their team with huge European experience.

Jan Vertonghen
Kasper Dolberg
Thorgan Hazard
Leander Dendonker

If we get them some really good players to test ourselves against!

From what I gather Vertonghen has retired, Dwight Gayle style, after his last season as a pro, so he wouldn't be playing.

Am I right in thinking we are unbeaten against Anderlecht in all competitions (in 92/93 we drew 2-2 at ER, 1-1 away in Belgium)

[Thatdayinmay16]

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Was thinking Anderlecht would probably be the best shout of the bigger teams. However, they still have some really good players in their team with huge European experience.

Jan Vertonghen
Kasper Dolberg
Thorgan Hazard
Leander Dendonker

If we get them some really good players to test ourselves against!

Vertonghen has just retired, so one less to worry about.

[MKHIBEE]

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Your best case scenario is us not winning a single tie? Christ.

What would be the worst case scenario? Kicked out before we even play a game?

[big-mo]

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Great updates Mo, why is the second round draw a day after? should just do it the same day.

Who knows, maybe just another excuse for and overnight jolly at UEFA HQ?

[SunshineOnLeith]

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The two legs make it much harder. I think everyone would accept these teams are better than us player by player. A one of game you could get a result for a number of reasons. However, over 2 legs thats much more limited as you've got longer for the team with more quality to shine through. Yes we can beat Celtic in a one of game. When was the last team we came out on top over 2 game aggregate against them?

Celtic are (cup final performance aside) miles better than any team we'll play in our first tie. The very worst case scenario would be to get somebody almost as good as Rangers, but still worse. Our last two games against them are a win and a draw.