European Football 2012

[Dodge]

A little bit. Pressed slightly in last 10 but Pats should've scored a couple on the break. Found it interesting that they left 3 men on half way when defending a corner. Caused confusion for first couple.

You can see the stats on UEFA.
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2013/matches/round=2000352/match=2009641/index.html

No shots on target for IBV

[ger121]

Stand doesn't have to be covered. Just didn't get the OK from UEFA

What's wrong with the stand now that wasn't an issue in previous years?

[Dodge]

What's wrong with the stand now that wasn't an issue in previous years?

Well a lad fell through it last year...

The top 4 rows have been covered since. It was OK like that for the Karagandy game last year

[CuanaD]

Reasonable results - we haven't come that far that we can afford to underestimate Icelandic teams, there's very little between our leagues. Was at the Bohs game & they(Bohs) certainly looked the better side, but still couldn't break them down.
As an ex-Ref I'm sad to say he had a bad game - looked like he was thinking about his ref's inspector too much, didn't get any major decisions wrong tho, but he ignored a lot of bad tackles - mainly for the away side, hopefully that won't happen in the second leg.

[PartySaint]

Reasonable results - we haven't come that far that we can afford to underestimate Icelandic teams, there's very little between our leagues. Was at the Bohs game & they(Bohs) certainly looked the better side, but still couldn't break them down.
As an ex-Ref I'm sad to say he had a bad game - looked like he was thinking about his ref's inspector too much, didn't get any major decisions wrong tho, but he ignored a lot of bad tackles - mainly for the away side, hopefully that won't happen in the second leg.

We have a very good ref in Richmond. Tried his best to let them game flow and always waited a few seconds to see if there was an advantage to be played before giving free kicks.

[Dodge]

We have a very good ref in Richmond. Tried his best to let them game flow and always waited a few seconds to see if there was an advantage to be played before giving free kicks.

Would fully endorse this. Took no bull. Tried explaining all his decision with gestures (ie to indicate pulling etc). 3 cards. 1 for a late tackle, the other 2 for consistent fouling. Both given warnings. Best ref I've seen anyway

[geysir]

A little bit. Pressed slightly in last 10 but Pats should've scored a couple on the break. Found it interesting that they left 3 men on half way when defending a corner. Caused confusion for first couple.

You can see the stats on UEFA.
http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2013/matches/round=2000352/match=2009641/index.html

No shots on target for IBV
An attempt off target but hits the post, is on target in my book.
But 17 fouls! :)

IBV are the team which plays the most direct football and which has by far the most foreigners playing for them.
Not unlike the LOI, the best players go abroad. I think there's about 70 Icelandic players on pro contracts playing at different levels/leagues around Europe. IBV being on an isolated island off the coast, would have a problem with any young talent coming, the kids just can't wait to leave the island.
Are Pats getting a charter flight?

[Mr A]

Hitting the post is not on target (unless the ball goes straight in, but touches the post on the way!

[Charlie Darwin]

http://youtu.be/STAX-NnGTf8

Christy Fagan's winner.

How far have we come that above people are talking about Pats winning 1-0 at home in europe as 'disappointing'
Awfully negative hoofball from Pat's there against the free-flowing, technically excellent Icelanders.

[Dodge]

An attempt off target but hits the post, is on target in my book.
Your book is wrong. hit the top of the cross bar. Abuot 3/4 inches off target


Are Pats getting a charter flight?
Yep

[geysir]

Your book is wrong. hit the top of the cross bar. Abuot 3/4 inches off target

In my book, a shot that hits the bar is infinitely more on target than a powder puff shot which goes safely into the arms of the goalkeeper.
It's my book, I'll put the stuff in there that I value :)
Stats are not real facts!

[nigel-harps1954]

Let's settle this once and for all. Yahoo answers.

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090430091056AAq4hO6

[Bohs11]

An attempt off target but hits the post, is on target in my book.
But 17 fouls! :)

IBV are the team which plays the most direct football and which has by far the most foreigners playing for them.
Not unlike the LOI, the best players go abroad. I think there's about 70 Icelandic players on pro contracts playing at different levels/leagues around Europe. IBV being on an isolated island off the coast, would have a problem with any young talent coming, the kids just can't wait to leave the island.
Are Pats getting a charter flight?

Regarding Thor, does their stadium meet Category 2 requirements or were they given an exemption by Uefa?

[nigel-harps1954]

Wasn't the game switched to somewhere else? Or is that Pat's game?

EDIT:

This place. 984 seats according to Wiki. I'm sure that'll be plenty.

http://vikudagur.is/sites/default/files/imagecache/Large/myndir/frettasafn/nordlenskar_frettir/2012/03/09/samkomulag_vegna_urbota_a_stukunni_a_thorsvellinum _undirritad/stukan001-10502.jpg

[Charlie Darwin]

Let's settle this once and for all. Yahoo answers.

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090430091056AAq4hO6
I love how some of the people are just saying what they think it should be. As if they were asked their opinion.

[BohsFans]

Aaron Callaghan's reaction: http://www.bohemians.ie/video/1664-video-bohemians-0-0-thor-akureyri-post-match.html

[ger121]

Usual negative rubbish on the LOI from Sean Ryan in the Indo

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/irish-clubs-falling-back-to-square-one-in-europe-3161538.html

[Mad Moose]

Usual negative rubbish on the LOI from Sean Ryan in the Indo

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/irish-clubs-falling-back-to-square-one-in-europe-3161538.html

An incredibly negative article considering relative results of both St Pats and Boh's this week. Had either side took a hammering the article would still be harsh and sensational. Boh's are a very very different side to last year and the 4-0 hammering of Shamrock Rovers was an incredible result. St Pats have strenghtened and I'd see them progressing through a couple of rounds again. Boh's might get through to the next round and I can Shamrock Rovers getting a few decent results this year despite domestic woes. European games might well be a welcome distraction and a chance to galvanise and recover.

[shellyriver]

An incredibly negative article considering relative results of both St Pats and Boh's this week. Had either side took a hammering the article would still be harsh and sensational. Boh's are a very very different side to last year and the 4-0 hammering of Shamrock Rovers was an incredible result. St Pats have strenghtened and I'd see them progressing through a couple of rounds again. Boh's might get through to the next round and I can Shamrock Rovers getting a few decent results this year despite domestic woes. European games might well be a welcome distraction and a chance to galvanise and recover.

Truly dreadful guff from Ryan - at least wait for second leg to spew out such prejudice!

[Charlie Darwin]

Yep, both teams have fared much worse than last year when Pat's were beaten by IBV and Bohs by Ljubljana. An Irish side will never make a breakthrough against a backdrop like this.

[DannyInvincible]

FOLLOWING the international team's disappointing displays in the European Championship finals, the spotlight last week turned to the League of Ireland to restore some pride to the Irish soccer scene.

Ah, if only our clubs were cast in the positive spotlight... What an insincere level of responsibility to place on League of Ireland clubs.


It took a 2-0 home win for Pat's to advance last year, but all they could manage last Thursday was 1-0.

That sentence is just disingenuous to the point of weird.

[Dodge]

So if Pats don't lose on Thursday will he say its been a success?

What's the logic behind judging the league's european campaign a quarter the way though the minimum amount of games?

[marinobohs]

I think Sean Ryan is dead right, two matches played (Richmond and Dalymount) and not one rendition of 'the Fields of Athenry' was heard at either venue. No facepaint at either ground no 'mexican wave' and rumour has it (although this is not confirmed) that some supporters actually turned up sober for the match:confused2:


No 'best fans in the (insert competition of choice)' award for these part time supporters.:rolleyes:

[Eminence Grise]

Dead right, MB. In fact, the fans were so pathetic that even Roy ":mad:" Keane did not deem them worthy of his ire! 3,000 people at two grounds, actually watching football? God help us, what's the fanworld coming to?:D

[sparky12345678]

it is negative and certainly premature... at least wait and see whether Shamrock Rovers can beat a seeded team... but he does have a point. Whatever about St. Pats a win is a win, fair enough, and not conceding very important. But Bohs at home after beating Shamrock Rovers 4 nil, should have done better., if Bohs can score 4 goals against former champions, they surely should be aiming to score at home against a second division icelandic side... Bohs have disappointed in Europe recently and have to do better...
That said in the article he implies a massive gulf between us and Iceland which is unfair on Iceland.

[Eminence Grise]

it is negative and certainly premature...

So Sean Ryan suffers from premature speculation... snigger...:D


But Bohs at home after beating Shamrock Rovers 4 nil, should have done better., if Bohs can score 4 goals against former champions, they surely should be aiming to score at home against a second division icelandic side...

I was at the game with a friend, and we both thought that Thor had a big size and age advantage over Bohs and played what can charitably be described as industrial football. My friend hadn't been to a game in ages and credited Bohs for playing the better football, but their inexperience was obvious.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

it is negative and certainly premature... at least wait and see whether Shamrock Rovers can beat a seeded team... but he does have a point. Whatever about St. Pats a win is a win, fair enough, and not conceding very important. But Bohs at home after beating Shamrock Rovers 4 nil, should have done better., if Bohs can score 4 goals against former champions, they surely should be aiming to score at home against a second division icelandic side... Bohs have disappointed in Europe recently and have to do better...
That said in the article he implies a massive gulf between us and Iceland which is unfair on Iceland.

I think that says more about how bad Shams were against Bohs then anything else

[freewheel30]

Based on the highlights shown earlier, looks like McMahon's goal for Bohs should definitely have stood. Bookies making both Irish clubs favourites to win the actual second leg matches on Thursday anyway.

[DannyInvincible]

Linfield are just after beating B36 Tórshavn 3-4 on penalties in the Faroe Islands after a second 0-0 draw.

[Cuyahoga]

Linfield are just after beating B36 Tórshavn 3-4 on penalties in the Faroe Islands after a second 0-0 draw.
Well done Linfield. They usually dont get past the first round. Great result for the Irish League. Cliftonville are 1 nil up from their first leg so hopefully they will go through aswell on Thursday.

[Acornvilla]

Actually they usually lost in the 2nd round every time did they not? and thats the reason NI ranking dropped so low as for them to have to play in round 1. Losing in the 1st round would be a disgrace.

[DannyInvincible]

A first qualifying round proper in name only, it was more a preliminary qualifying round featuring the winners of the six worst-ranked leagues in Europe; Malta, NI, the Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, Andorra and San Marino. Drawing with Faroese opposition 0-0 twice and making it through on penalties is more cause for blushing than celebration.

[PartySaint]

Great result for Portadown, they were 1 down to Shkendija 79 from Macedonia after 4 minutes tonight but went on to win the game 2-1 to go through.

[Not Brazil]

Drawing with Faroese opposition 0-0 twice and making it through on penalties is more cause for blushing than celebration.

Relieved to get through in the end.

Tough test in the next round lies ahead v Limmasol.

Result worth a few quid to the Club, which will help ease the blushing.

Great win for Portadown tonight.

Here's hoping Cliftonville can progress later in the week too.

[Bawnville Hoop]

That penalty win earned Linfield €130,000 in prize money.

[Mr A]

Good to see Linfield finally get a break on the financial front.

[swinfordfc]

Well done to Linfield and Portadown tonight .... fair play

[pineapple stu]

Should ensure they're not in the preliminary rounds next year?

[Acornvilla]

Should ensure they're not in the preliminary rounds next year?

For the moment there up to #46 out of 53, so yeah if nothing below them changes.

[A N Mouse]

Should ensure they're not in the preliminary rounds next year?

Well two to watch out for :

Luxembourg are closest to them and should have two sides playing another 2 games.

Wales - TNS start in next round of the cl, and the teams in the el are up against it, but conceivably (its a long shot) all three could through.

That said Linfield, and the NI co-efficient, would be better off if they had played in the preliminary round the last few years. Everyone shuffling up meant they got to play in the second qualifying round and each time got one of the top seeds.

[citybone]

Welsh champions will be in the first qualifying round next year and i think they will be likely to get two wins

[citybone]

another thing, unless our results improve in Europe we will have all three Europa league spots in the first round, rather than one in the second round and possibly seeding's.

[sheao]

Are either of the games tomorrow night being streamed online ?

[oriel]

Relieved to get through in the end.

Tough test in the next round lies ahead v Limmasol.

Result worth a few quid to the Club, which will help ease the blushing.

Great win for Portadown tonight.

Here's hoping Cliftonville can progress later in the week too.

Two very important results for Linfield & Portadown getting through, very impressive considering both are part time and wont play a competitive domestic game until next month. I think a lot of fans all over Ireland fail to realise how hard it is to progress in europe (north and south)

No game is easy at this level, getting any win is an achievement and progessing through one round is a huge effort, I can tell you from watching Dundalk lose a 2 goal lead in Lux back in 2010 in 30c heat, it was just a great feat going through that round, even if they were meant to be 'rubbish'

We were the rubbish team next round.................

[Acornvilla]

Goals from the Portadown game, its a fix!!

http://www.u.tv/utvplayer/video/145522/119507/d7752505-02e2-4334-8631-c7c5ead52ccc

2nd goal is laughable

[Charlie Darwin]

Comedy hour. Portadown's stadium is like an eerie cauldron - intimidating only for of the total lack of people.

[oriel]

Very dodgy goals those, what is the story about those stands? they look newly built, but look to be angled away from the pitch, not as if there is space issue.

[bullit]

No sponsor on the shirts of either team:confused: Give Betfair a ring there commericial managers :rolleyes:

[cornflakes]

Are either of the games tomorrow night being streamed online ?

Bohs game will be here http://www.thorsport.is/tv/

[pineapple stu]

Goals from the Portadown game, its a fix!!

http://www.u.tv/utvplayer/video/145522/119507/d7752505-02e2-4334-8631-c7c5ead52ccc

2nd goal is laughable
If it's a fix, the Albanians have at least learnt to be disappointed with conceding since playing Sligo.