Ukrainian Shakhtar’s Europa League opener highlights huge squad value difference
Shakhtar players (photo: facebook.com/fcshahtar)
Ukrainian Donetsk Shakhtar is preparing for the start of the UEFA Europa League qualification, where they will face Finnish club Ilves in the first round. This match will serve as the official opening of the season for the Miners, reports VZBIRNA.
Colossal difference in transfer value
Ahead of the qualification start, experts evaluated the transfer value of both teams' squads. According to Transfermarkt:
- Shakhtar has a total transfer value of €166.98 million
- Ilves is valued at only €4.43 million
Thus, the Ukrainian club's squad is nearly 38 times more expensive, which clearly demonstrates Shakhtar's advantage in financial and personnel terms. This statistic has already sparked discussions among fans and experts across Europe.
When Miners start their season
Shakhtar's official season will begin on Thursday, July 10. The Donetsk club will play its nominal home match of the Europa League first qualifying round against Finnish side Ilves.
The match will take place at the Stožice Stadium in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Kickoff is set for 9:00 PM Kyiv time.
The return leg between the teams, which will determine the ticket to the next round, is scheduled for a week later, on July 17, in Tampere, Finland.
About opponents
- Ilves is a representative of the top division of the Finnish championship (Veikkausliiga), based in Tampere. The club has won the Finnish Cup multiple times, including in 2019 and 2023.
- Shakhtar is a 14-time Ukrainian champion and the winner of the 2009 UEFA Cup. In the 2024/25 season, the club finished 3rd in the UPL standings.
