LoI in Europe 2018

[sidewayspasser]

Bohs through??
I think so. They'll have to thank Salzburg for throwing away a 2-goal lead.

[ger121]

Oh yeah!

[sidewayspasser]

I think so. They'll have to thank Salzburg for throwing away a 2-goal lead.
And they do...
https://twitter.com/bfcdublin/status/1034906660400234499

[pineapple stu]

Great news for Bohs.

Dudelange now 2-0 in Cluj; 4-0 up on aggregate. There'll be a Luxembourg side in the group stages of Europe for the first time ever. Just shows what a mix of ability and luck can mean for the lower champions now

Spare a thought for their goalkeeper since 2004 though; broke his leg in the home game last week and may miss the groups entirely...

[CorribsideSteve]

AEK Larnaca qualified handily enough this afternoon, beating AS Trencin 3-0 and 4-1 on aggregate. Trencin handed out a 4 nil thrashing to Feyenoord in the previous round. Wonder how they feel; one week you emphatically dump out a team with a far higher reputation, a club that have Van Persie on its books, then a fortnight later Larnaca take you apart. It shows just how good AEK are but also what a brutally tough arena it is at times trying to qualify. Having said that Dudelange look to be qualifying as the first Luxembourg team to make the grade. Would be hilarious if Suduva replicated that feat for Lithuania later on by knocking out Celtic, although that seems fairly unlikely.

[ger121]

I see Rangers made the group stages. When was the last time a team bar Celtic made a European Group Stage. Probably Rangers? I can remember Hearts getting to EL in 2008.

[ger121]

Larnaca a very good side it seems. Maybe makes Dundalk’s away hammering look at little less awful when you look what they did to Sturm and Trencin at home in the subsequent rounds.

[pineapple stu]

5-0 Dudelange on aggregate now.

Molde, who lost to Coleraine, are beating Zenit, who hammered Minsk who lost to Derry. I...don't know what to make of that one. Sometimes football is just football

[EatYerGreens]

5-0 Dudelange on aggregate now.

Molde, who lost to Coleraine, are beating Zenit, who hammered Minsk who lost to Derry. I...don't know what to make of that one. Sometimes football is just football

Glenavon.

[seand]

Fooking hell, Dudelange. Cruising into the groups three years after being beaten by a mediocre League of Ireland First Division side. And you look at the ****e Caulfield comes out with about not being able to compete.

[Ezeikial]

Larnaca a very good side it seems. Maybe makes Dundalk’s away hammering look at little less awful when you look what they did to Sturm and Trencin at home in the subsequent rounds.

Maybe a little, but in truth it is of little comfort.

That result and the away performance is a wake-up call for the club about the gap that needs to be bridged to reach the group stages again

[pineapple stu]

Fooking hell, Dudelange. Cruising into the groups three years after being beaten by a mediocre League of Ireland First Division side. And you look at the ****e Caulfield comes out with about not being able to compete.
Slight objection - we were a very good LoI First Division side and would probably have won the title had we not been in Europe (curiously enough)

No arguments if you had said a mediocre LoI side though. :)

[seand]

Slight objection - we were a very good LoI First Division side and would probably have won the title had we not been in Europe (curiously enough)

No arguments if you had said a mediocre LoI side though. :)

UCD won 13 out of 28 league games in 2015. Logic suggests that's quality enough to make the Europa League groups but is the definition of a mediocre First Division team ;)

[pineapple stu]

14.

But the reality of it is that a brand new team had a slow start (1 win in the first 5), but quickly gelled and went on a 17-match unbeaten run in the league before a late run of one point in five games - and injuries and fatigue after Europe had a big part to play - ended our title run. Had we not been in Europe, we'd quite possibly have gone unbeaten until the end of the season.

The presence of Robbie Benson alone means it was hardly a mediocre First Division team!

[pineapple stu]

Dudelange get AC Milan, Real Betis and Olympiakos.

Hell of an incentive for Irish clubs. Though you would imagine the worst group performance record is under threat

The two Red Bulls will meet too.

Bohs' draw is Tuesday I think

[ger121]

Slight objection - we were a very good LoI First Division side and would probably have won the title had we not been in Europe (curiously enough)

No arguments if you had said a mediocre LoI side though. :)

That was a very talented UCD side when you look at who was in it. Very unlucky in the away leg in the 2nd round.

[ger121]

Tough group for Celtic. The two RBs are decent enough. Rosenborg will be looking for revenge. Speaking of which. Two teams who put out LOI sides made the groups. Be very hard for Dudelange to pick up a point. Couple of clubs have gotten no points since Rovers in 2011. Gabala and Slovan Bratislava, the latter hold the worst record in the Europa League Group stages.

[El-Pietro]

The last three teams to knock Cork City out of Europe (Legia technically just knocked us into the EL) all made the group stages. Rosenborg, Larnaca and Genk. two of those of course are also the last two teams to knock Dundalk out. It will be interesting to see how these teams fare in the groups. Genk made the Quarter Finals in 2016.

Actually a lot of teams we have played in Europe since 2004 are in there. I see Malmo, Appollon Limasol and Slavia Prague as well. Plus Red Star in the Champions League groups.

[ger121]

The last three teams to knock Cork City out of Europe (Legia technically just knocked us into the EL) all made the group stages. Rosenborg, Larnaca and Genk.

Actually a lot of teams we have played in Europe since 2004 are in there. I see Malmo, Appollon Limasol and Slavia Prague as well. Plus Red Star in the Champions League groups.

Don’t forget Dundalk. You’ve played them too in a European League:p

[El-Pietro]

Don’t forget Dundalk. You’ve played them too in a European League:p

We have but its been a long time since they knocked us out of a tournament!

[legendz]

UEFA are reportedly set to introduce a new 32-team competition from 2021 to run alongside the Champions League and Europa League.

According to the plans outlined in German publication Bild, the Champions League will remain in its current structure, while the Europa League will condense.

The group stages of Europe's second-tier competition currently includes 48 teams, but will apparently be reduced to 32 teams.

Sides from smaller nations will allegedly instead compete in the new tournament, which is reportedly set to be shown largely on online platforms.They mooted this idea a few years ago. Seems to be back on the agenda again.

If UEFA reduce the Europa League to 32, it should also exclude Champions League 3rd placed teams parachuting in at the knockout stage.

[EatYerGreens]

Dudelange get AC Milan, Real Betis and Olympiakos.

Hell of an incentive for Irish clubs. Though you would imagine the worst group performance record is under threat

The two Red Bulls will meet too.

Bohs' draw is Tuesday I think

Crazy stuff. How big is the stadium they play in ?

[EatYerGreens]

They mooted this idea a few years ago. Seems to be back on the agenda again.

If UEFA reduce the Europa League to 32, it should also exclude Champions League 3rd placed teams parachuting in at the knockout stage.

Hard to view this as a positive. It's just another way to keep little clubs ghettoised in their corner. The Champions League keeps them away from the big boys, and now they'll also be kept away from the mid-ranking and wannabe big clubs in the Europa League with this new format. Probably be thrown a few extra quid for it to keep participants happy, whilst the real riches continue to go towards the larger clubs.

Hard to feel positive about the broad direction European club football continues to move in. It continues to be about pandering to the big clubs and using relatively smaller sums of money to buy the quiet acquiescence of the small frogs whilst the water is gently boiled around them.

[pineapple stu]

Crazy stuff. How big is the stadium they play in ?
LoI size.

They played Cluj in the national stadium, presumably for licencing reasons

[Kiki Balboa]

Hard to view this as a positive. It's just another way to keep little clubs ghettoised in their corner. The Champions League keeps them away from the big boys, and now they'll also be kept away from the mid-ranking and wannabe big clubs in the Europa League with this new format. Probably be thrown a few extra quid for it to keep participants happy, whilst the real riches continue to go towards the larger clubs.

Hard to feel positive about the broad direction European club football continues to move in. It continues to be about pandering to the big clubs and using relatively smaller sums of money to buy the quiet acquiescence of the small frogs whilst the water is gently boiled around them.


Unfortunately, it will only get worse. UEFA has to give in to the big clubs or they will break away. The money the big leagues generate is incredible and they do not need UEFA anymore.

Personally, I think it is only a matter of time till we see such a break away, especially with the amount of foreign owners and foreign fans. They dont need local support at all and dont care what happens on the pitch, just once they exhaust all ways to make money. I hate american sports with their Franchises, blackmailing cities, plastic support and lack of competition, but this is what top level Football is becoming.

Just like in real life, The rich get richer......

[legendz]

Unfortunately, it will only get worse. UEFA has to give in to the big clubs or they will break away. The money the big leagues generate is incredible and they do not need UEFA anymore.

Personally, I think it is only a matter of time till we see such a break away, especially with the amount of foreign owners and foreign fans. They dont need local support at all and dont care what happens on the pitch, just once they exhaust all ways to make money. I hate american sports with their Franchises, blackmailing cities, plastic support and lack of competition, but this is what top level Football is becoming.

Just like in real life, The rich get richer......

There is surely only so far they can push it as well before it becomes a switch off for supporters? Remember the second group stage in the Champions League? The noises suggest the top 4 leagues seem happy enough with having 4 direct spots each in the CL group stage.

Reducing the EL to 32 will be appeasing that next group in the pecking order. I would like to see the EL expanded to 64, without CL 3rd placed teams parachuting in. It's not really a surprise however when presented with that idea of 64 that UEFA are instead looking at splitting that into two separate competitions.

There has been a history of three European competitions. There might be an inevitable place for it.

[marinobohs]

Hard to view this as a positive. It's just another way to keep little clubs ghettoised in their corner. The Champions League keeps them away from the big boys, and now they'll also be kept away from the mid-ranking and wannabe big clubs in the Europa League with this new format. Probably be thrown a few extra quid for it to keep participants happy, whilst the real riches continue to go towards the larger clubs.

Hard to feel positive about the broad direction European club football continues to move in. It continues to be about pandering to the big clubs and using relatively smaller sums of money to buy the quiet acquiescence of the small frogs whilst the water is gently boiled around them.

It has been going that way for some time. the Champions league structure was introduced to prevent a European super league but seems to be mutating towards that anyway. the number of places 'reserved' for the big 5 Leagues leave pretty meagre pickings for the rest. unfortunately this latest proposal appears to be marginalizing smaller nations even more. The current hope of an attractive draw (and big pay day) will almost be completed eradicated and the hovering up of resources by bigger leagues will ensure minimal 'gate crashers'.

[legendz]

It has been going that way for some time. the Champions league structure was introduced to prevent a European super league but seems to be mutating towards that anyway. the number of places 'reserved' for the big 5 Leagues leave pretty meagre pickings for the rest. unfortunately this latest proposal appears to be marginalizing smaller nations even more. The current hope of an attractive draw (and big pay day) will almost be completed eradicated and the hovering up of resources by bigger leagues will ensure minimal 'gate crashers'.

Big pay days do seem to be gone. Celtic and PSV Eindhoven were possibly the only big name teams in the Champions League Champions Route Qualifiers.

The Europa League playoffs main path did offer a few big names. Many so-called top teams had already been given direct access to the Europa League group stage as well.

[sidewayspasser]

UEFA have created groups for the Youth League draw. Potential opponents for Bohs:
Chelsea (ENG)
Anderlecht (BEL)
FC Admira (AUT)
Midtjylland (DEN)
Elfsborg (SWE)
Molde (NOR)
KR (ISL)

[ger121]

Midtjylland it is. Winners to play winners of Basel and Hamilton in the next round.

[Dalymountrower]

Bohs under 18's come from behind to beat Pats 2-1 in Ends Mc Guill cup final.Excellent performance, some real prospects.

[Dalymountrower]

Under 19's

[Ezeikial]

Bohs under 18's come from behind to beat Pats 2-1 in Ends Mc Guill cup final.Excellent performance, some real prospects.

I thought the Rovers lads were saying that Shamrock Rovers were the top team in every underage group. Were they in this competition or did they get knocked out?

[sullanefc]

*rolls eyes*

[Mr A]

I thought the Rovers lads were saying that Shamrock Rovers were the top team in every underage group. Were they in this competition or did they get knocked out?

They said they were top of their leagues, which they are. Now cut this nonsense out. The vast majority of people on here are heartily sick of it.

[marinobohs]

Under 19's

Great win for Bohs U 19s, following up last years league win. Great work by Craig Sexton and all involved. Often by necessity, given our financial woes Bohs have unearthed some real players in recent years through developing young players and recruiting good young players. Austerity is not all bad, but we call it necessity not a 'project' ;)

[sbgawa]

Hopefully they will do well and get a bit of support.
It strikes me that it must be a difficult job keeping the 19's motivated as the season comes to an end.
The better under 19's will have already transitioned into the first team squad so the bulk of the team are playing out time.
Argument for an under 21 league I suppose but is it just kicking the can down the road.

[Burnsie]

are any Bohs first-teamers likely to feature in the UEFA matches?

The rules permit three players born in 1999 and otherwise 2000 and younger. The Bohs website lists Magerusan and Hamilton who were born in 99 - nobody in 2000 (without scrolling through to the youth team pages)

[Poor Student]

Hopefully they will do well and get a bit of support.
It strikes me that it must be a difficult job keeping the 19's motivated as the season comes to an end.
The better under 19's will have already transitioned into the first team squad so the bulk of the team are playing out time.
Argument for an under 21 league I suppose but is it just kicking the can down the road.

Every level you add on is a huge cost to the strained LOI budgets. You add on coaching staff, transport costs, insurance, possible additional pitch rentals. I say this as a supporter of one of the clubs able to bear this cost.

[marinobohs]

Hopefully they will do well and get a bit of support.
It strikes me that it must be a difficult job keeping the 19's motivated as the season comes to an end.
The better under 19's will have already transitioned into the first team squad so the bulk of the team are playing out time.
Argument for an under 21 league I suppose but is it just kicking the can down the road.

I think the generally held view is that anyone over 19 should be able to 'hack it' in the full set up or are never going to. The primary argument for under age is physical development etc but this should have evened out by 19/20. Probably a fair enough cut off age in most cases.

[sbgawa]

I think the generally held view is that anyone over 19 should be able to 'hack it' in the full set up or are never going to. The primary argument for under age is physical development etc but this should have evened out by 19/20. Probably a fair enough cut off age in most cases.

I'm inclined to agree with you for the most part , most people who aren't good enough at 19 wil never be good enough.
The problem though is there are plenty of examples of players who weren't good enough at 19 but came good in their early 20's and the cut off at 19 means we definitely lose some of this unfulfilled potential from the guys who just pack it in and get on with life.
That's why I reckon an under 21 /23 reserve league in which players from the first team who need game time can play as well as a reserve squad would make more sense than an under 13 league. redundant conversation though as the under 13's is a fact and there's no money for under 21s/ 23's.
Good luck to the Bohs 19's though I might even do you a favour and pop along to Dalyer for the match, when I'm there Bohs always win :)

[disgruntled]

Or the reason may that if a player isn't good enough at 19 for the England Leagues he's never going to be.
The whole idea of the under ages leagues is to get better developed children going over to England & Scotland because the present system isn't working any more.
I doubt its to improve the lot of the LOI clubs.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Or the reason may that if a player isn't good enough at 19 for the England Leagues he's never going to be.
The whole idea of the under ages leagues is to get better developed children going over to England & Scotland because the present system isn't working any more.
I doubt its to improve the lot of the LOI clubs.

Coleman is all I'm going to say to that

[pineapple stu]

Sammon. Dicker. Boyle. Horgan. Could go on...

[EatYerGreens]

Or the reason may that if a player isn't good enough at 19 for the England Leagues he's never going to be.
The whole idea of the under ages leagues is to get better developed children going over to England & Scotland because the present system isn't working any more.
I doubt its to improve the lot of the LOI clubs.

Well - the penny is at least dropping in some other quarters that we can't rely on British clubs to develop our youth any more. Not since they started overlooking us to hoover up talent from around the world instead.

Football has changed, and we have to change with it.

[Straightstory]

More legibly:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45483586 (https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45483586)

Interesting bit: 'The European Leagues, the organisation that represents 32 leagues across Europe including the Premier League, Scottish Premiership and EFL, said it would fight the plans'.
My main question would be: is this now be a turn-off for potential investors thinking of putting cash into Irish clubs, with the potential for competing in the Europa League (or even the Champions League)? Would Dundalk's backers have been so keen if they thought the club would be further away from rubbing shoulders with Europe's more glamorous clubs?

[sbgawa]

In order to push this through UEFA will guarantee a few hundred grand more money for qualifying and probably a few hundred more for getting through a few rounds of the 3rd comp.

This will get the votes of 95% of the teams who would never see themselves as getting to a group stage.
Depending on the prize pool for getting to the group stages of this 3rd comp (even assuming there is one) it might offer mid level clubs an average payout bigger than the once in 10 years qualifying for the Europa group stages.
When UEFA spell out the money the clubs will make the decision.
Investors or boards might like a third tier if the average over several years looks better.
I guess we will see

[EatYerGreens]

I'm inclined to agree with you for the most part , most people who aren't good enough at 19 wil never be good enough.
The problem though is there are plenty of examples of players who weren't good enough at 19 but came good in their early 20's and the cut off at 19 means we definitely lose some of this unfulfilled potential from the guys who just pack it in and get on with life.
That's why I reckon an under 21 /23 reserve league in which players from the first team who need game time can play as well as a reserve squad would make more sense than an under 13 league. redundant conversation though as the under 13's is a fact and there's no money for under 21s/ 23's.
Good luck to the Bohs 19's though I might even do you a favour and pop along to Dalyer for the match, when I'm there Bohs always win :)

Sean Maguire too ?

[EatYerGreens]

In order to push this through UEFA will guarantee a few hundred grand more money for qualifying and probably a few hundred more for getting through a few rounds of the 3rd comp.

This will get the votes of 95% of the teams who would never see themselves as getting to a group stage.
Depending on the prize pool for getting to the group stages of this 3rd comp (even assuming there is one) it might offer mid level clubs an average payout bigger than the once in 10 years qualifying for the Europa group stages.
When UEFA spell out the money the clubs will make the decision.
Investors or boards might like a third tier if the average over several years looks better.
I guess we will see

This is most likely what will happen.

UEFA will chuck some more money at the 3rd tier nations, most of whom will clap like seals at the prospect of more crumbs from Europe's footballing banquet. The big money will continue to be retained higher up the foodchain, so the gap between bigger and smaller nations/clubs will widen even further.

[sbgawa]

Sean Maguire too ?
Most people , he would be an example of what I went on to say.