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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

Every Hearts Europa League date revealed as Conference failsafe has Robbie Neilson dreaming big

The passion shown by Jose Mourinho, Tammy Abraham plus the rest of Roma's jubilant players and supporters proves the Europa Conference League is to be savoured.

While going all the way to the Final of European football's third tournament appears a long shot, the Jambos have a prize within sight that is certainly tantalising.

Due to rise in the Scottish coefficient, Hearts are 180 minutes from a place in the Europa League group stage as they await their playoff fate.

And even if they come up short they are guaranteed eight European ties and a place in the tournament proper of the Conference League.

They will find out who they will face for a shot at playoff glory on 2 August, 2022.

These are heady days for Robbie Neilson's men and the disappointment that followed their Scottish Cup defeat to Rangers is mark of their progression under his stewardship.

Record Sport runs the rule over all the key dates Hearts fans need to pencil into their diaries.

Playoff round

The beauty of coefficient boost is Hearts benefit from plenty of preparation time. They will not need to face arduous trips in July while pre-season is still going on.

The playoff first and second legs will take place on August 18 and 25, 2022, respectively.

Group stage proper

As well as the benefit of only one round of qualifying, Hearts know the exact dates they will be playing – even if they do not make it into the Europa League.

That's because the Conference League is also a Thursday affair and punters planning ahead can get holiday requests in now with the peace of mind of knowing when the games will take place.

There is one notable difference, however, as the group stage action across all three of UEFA's competitions will be coming thick and fast due to the condensed matchday schedule to accommodate the first ever winter World Cup in Qatar.

Group stage dates in full


Matchday 1: September 8 2022
Matchday 2: September 15 2022
Matchday 3: October 6 2022
Matchday 4: October 13 2022
Matchday 5: October 27 2022
Matchday 6: November 3 2022

Dreaming big

And why not?

Hearts fans will believe they may as well make some noise when they arrive in the group stage proper – whether it be in the Europa League or Conference League.

The road to Budapest or Prague takes a more traditional schedule after FIFA's showpiece event is in the rearview mirror.

The knockout schedule

Knockout round play-offs: 16 & 23 February

Round of 16: 9 & 16 March 2023

Quarter-finals: 13 & 20 April 2023

Semi-finals: 11 & 18 May 2023

Final: 31 May 2023

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