LOI In Europe 2021

[Philosophizer]

Now that WAS poor at the back. Nattestad and Abibi beaten too easily.

[paul_oshea]

Ah come Paul there was a ridiculous deflection there that screwed everyone. And the keeper still managed to get a hand on it. Defenders didn't do a whole lot wrong really.

Watch it again, he's running with him. He stops cos he sees the keeper save it and his man just runs on towards goal anticipating the ball to come over that side.

[ger121]

Sad but proud. Been some run.

[ger121]

On a side note. TNS blew that over 2 legs. 4-0 up after 85 minutes of 1st leg. Finishes 4-2. 5-3 up on agg after 85 minutes of 2nd leg and concede 2. Lose 4-1 on penalties. Talk about one that got away…

[pineapple stu]

Another late goal in Malta - Hibs were heading for a play-off tie against Lincoln Red Imps, but Riga equalised in the 96th minute and it's going to extra time, and Hibs had a player sent off in injury time too.

Rovers are through to face Flora Tallinn though. I'd have thought they'd be slightly easier opponents than the Albanians.

[ontheotherhand]

Overestimated rovers.

So did they underestimate rovers tonight?

[ger121]

Another late goal in Malta - Hibs were heading for a play-off tie against Lincoln Red Imps, but Riga equalised in the 96th minute and it's going to extra time, and Hibs had a player sent off in injury time too.

Rovers are through to face Flora Tallinn though. I'd have thought they'd be slightly easier opponents than the Albanians.

Was 7 minutes of injury time in that one and was still 1-1 after 96 minutes. You can never switch off. Flora have been good in Europe this season. Beat this Maltese side 5-0 over two legs. Will be a tough tie for
Rovers.

[pineapple stu]

Larne take a late lead against Pacos de Ferreira at home - though it's still 1-4 on aggregate and they're out.

Another unexpected European result though.

[placid casual]

2 great goals by Gaffney and Rovers never looked in real trouble.
Will be a tough game against Flora Tallinn but 3 consecutive victories in Europe should give the team good sense of confidence that they can at least give qualification to group stages a good go.

[Philosophizer]

Fair play Rovers. Excellent result. Didn't even concede over the 2 legs. Would be brilliant to have an Irish team in the group stages of the inaugural competition and set a precedent.

The luck of the draw plays a massive role but I'd be hoping for LOI champions to make it to the group stages of this competition every year or two. How cool would that be.

[paul_oshea]

Peno dundalk

[paul_oshea]

Fair play Rovers. Excellent result. Didn't even concede over the 2 legs. Would be brilliant to have an Irish team in the group stages of the inaugural competition and set a precedent.

The luck of the draw plays a massive role but I'd be hoping for LOI champions to make it to the group stages of this competition every year or two. How cool would that be.

I'm wondering about the long term viability of this league to be honest. I know it's to keep the minnows away from the big guns and create a monopoly and kill super League but I don't see how any TV revenue will be generated from it

[paul_oshea]

These lads are panicked.

[Philosophizer]

Yes it's giving more games and money to smaller teams but keeping them away from the big boys as you say, but I don't really mind that. I love seeing our teams against European counterparts more often, even if it's less glamourous than games against Arsenal etc.

Although saying that, if Rovers make the group they could get drawn against the likes of Spurs again...

[pineapple stu]

How often do you get drawn against the big boys anyway? Was much more likely you'd be knocked out by some crack Eastern European outfit.

Yeah, the AC Milan games are great on the rare occasion they crop up, but I think a more regular group stage appearance is a fair compromise. Especially if you can reach it by playing the champions of the country ranked 53rd in the play-off round!

[Philosophizer]

These lads are panicked.
Yea a bit nervy. How hilarious would it be to come from 2-0 down in both legs

[pineapple stu]

Well, was just 1-0 down in Holland.

HB Torshavn of the Faroes beat Maccabi Haifa 1-0. Slightly less of a surprise result that one, though, as they'd lost 7-2 in Israel.

[DCWA]

Larne take a late lead against Pacos de Ferreira at home - though it's still 1-4 on aggregate and they're out.

Another unexpected European result though.

In relation to the earlier discussion about a poor result of one leg taking away from the good result in the other, if we were to approch them as individual games then beating a Portuguese team probably the single best 90 min result from any team in Ireland?

Beating Aarhus over two legs probably takes the overall best result award as well unless Dundalk get by Vitesse here.

[paul_oshea]

If they don't get this to extra time...

[Philosophizer]

Oh 2 big saves there by Vitesse!

[paul_oshea]

They're wrecked. Im a broken record. If they get them to extra time only one winner.

[Philosophizer]

That's another case of the better team probably not really caring if they lose 1-0 or 2-0 because they kicked 7 shades out of Larne in the 1st leg.

[pineapple stu]

In relation to the earlier discussion about a poor result of one leg taking away from the good result in the other, if we were to approch them as individual games then beating a Portuguese team probably the single best 90 min result from any team in Ireland?

Beating Aarhus over two legs probably takes the overall best result award as well unless Dundalk get by Vitesse here.
I'd put the PAOK win over Pacos easily (and that's before the first leg/second leg considerations). The Portuguese league drops off quite quickly beyond the usual culprits.

The Aarhus win was pretty impressive alright.

[Philosophizer]

That was THE chance. Kelly should have shot himself.

[pineapple stu]

Kelly should have shot himself.
A bit of an overreaction, no? It's only a game! :p

[Philosophizer]

A bit of an overreaction, no? It's only a game! :p
Hahah top stuff Stu!! Consider my cap doffed, sir.

[paul_oshea]

I'd put the PAOK win over Pacos easily (and that's before the first leg/second leg considerations). The Portuguese league drops off quite quickly beyond the usual culprits.

The Aarhus win was pretty impressive alright.

Ah they had very many but ya. This definitely has a feeling of what might have been.

[Philosophizer]

Dundalk had them absolutely rattled in the last 10 mins. Great pressure, but that Vitesse keeper just couldn't be beat.

[ger121]

I think Dundalk will be kicking themselves after that. Could have been dead and buried at HT in the 1st game. Probably should have won 2-1. Very good early on tonight, then concede 2 soft goals. Then really put Vitesse under pressure in the 2nd half. I know it is a cliche but it really was a game and tie of what might have been…

[pateen]

Well that was entertaining .....

[ger121]

Reading Vitesse fans comments on Twitter and it is a combination of being embarrassed and very grateful to their keeper.

[sbgawa]

Bohs and Dundalk can be rightly happy with their performances over two legs against top opposition.
Was thinking when bohs went 2 nil down after 30 mins that they were lookimg at a hiding so fair play for digging in and keeping the game alive until the end
Dundalk unlucky not to get it to extratime but really gifted Vitesse a handy start.
A pity feck all people got to see it thanks to GAA TV.

Rovers ran out easy winners but it was a 50/50 game up until Rovers scored, dont know why they didnt have a bit of a go in Tallaght they could do it when they wanted to.
Great chance to make group stages now, 50/50 shot with a lot of exciting teams to look forward to drawing if we make it

[paul_oshea]

Summing up bohs and Dundalk played their own game and gave just enough respect to both their opponents and lost by a single goal for doing so. The football played and the goals scored were as good as youd see. It was refreshing to see teams play positively, on the front foot and believing in themselves . That all said I feel like this was the year to actually win those kind of ties, if it comes around again the opportunity won't present itself in the same way.

The other positive from this that will show the league to foreign teams who might have previously disregarded LOI sides and players. It can open up other avenues for players and shop windows potentially, especially if there are consistent results in Europe. That should also ensure appropriate compensation for transfers too.

There's a lot to be positive about, with consistency.

[sbgawa]

On the basis of Rovers current coefficient for next season if they lose to florin they will be seeded in the champions league first round if they retain the league.
Winning the league is more important than ever as the Champions path gives a massive chance for group stages.
Rovers got lucky this year getting a bye past round 2 but seeding next year effectively possibly does the same thing.
On the other hand if Pats or Sligo win the league and are unseeded like Rovers this year they still have a big opportunity.
The conference league has given the small leagues a reasonable chance of big pay days for any team that manages to win the league seeded or not.

[Philosophizer]

Even though both Bohs and Dundalk lost by a single goal you'd have to say that Dundalk put Vitesse under a lot more pressure. It really felt like a Dundalk goal was coming, they were peppering the Vitesse goal. Their keeper get them through.

[Philosophizer]

Yep it's really all about the Champions path these days. It's a much more favourable route than the others.

[yurt]

Bonkers watching an Irish team be able to go at a Dutch team like that towards the end. I felt they deserved the equalizer for much many openings they managed to create in the last 15.

Dummigan MOM for me. He was quality in defense and attack from start to finish.

All I wanted from the games today was for Bohs and Dundalk to be in with a shout until the final whistle and for Rovers to qualify, so I got good value for money from my 30 quid.

Rovers the only team left now as expected. Can only assume the Estonians will be better then the crowd they beat today but you'd have to say it'll be a massive opportunity missed if they don't get to the groups at this stage.

As was said months ago its all about the luck of the draw in Europe and this year has been as close to as soft as they come. They'll get done with tough draws more often than not which is what so important to capitalize this time around. Getting to the groups will be massive for their club seeding too and mean they be would be seeded for the UCL next year.

[pineapple stu]

Great chance to make group stages now, 50/50 shot with a lot of exciting teams to look forward to drawing if we make it
I know you'll naturally try not jinx things, but you can't look at a tie against Estonian opposition as 50/50. Ok, they took Omonia to penalties, have had some respectable defeats against decent teams, and are the dominant team there, so they'll probably be better than the side Dundalk scraped past. But the Estonian league at 53rd in the rankings is the same as the Faroese league last year when Dundalk met KÍ. Rovers will be favourites and rightly so, especially with the June blip in form sorted.

[sbgawa]

I know you'll naturally try not jinx things, but you can't look at a tie against Estonian opposition as 50/50. Ok, they took Omonia to penalties, have had some respectable defeats against decent teams, and are the dominant team there, so they'll probably be better than the side Dundalk scraped past. But the Estonian league at 53rd in the rankings is the same as the Faroese league last year when Dundalk met KÍ. Rovers will be favourites and rightly so, especially with the June blip in form sorted.

Bitter experience over 40 years following Rovers makes me skeptical of anything.
Compared to having to beat Partizan Belgrade to make groups in 2011 its a massive chance thast for sure

[Knocklyonhoop]

On a side note. TNS blew that over 2 legs. 4-0 up after 85 minutes of 1st leg. Finishes 4-2. 5-3 up on agg after 85 minutes of 2nd leg and concede 2. Lose 4-1 on penalties. Talk about one that got away…
Some bottling there x 2

[Kingdom]

Bohs and Dundalk can be rightly happy with their performances over two legs against top opposition.
Was thinking when bohs went 2 nil down after 30 mins that they were lookimg at a hiding so fair play for digging in and keeping the game alive until the end
Dundalk unlucky not to get it to extratime but really gifted Vitesse a handy start.
A pity feck all people got to see it thanks to GAA TV.

Rovers ran out easy winners but it was a 50/50 game up until Rovers scored, dont know why they didnt have a bit of a go in Tallaght they could do it when they wanted to.
Great chance to make group stages now, 50/50 shot with a lot of exciting teams to look forward to drawing if we make it

Fair play Spagawa, that's a really fair appraisal all things considered. Rovers are better than 50/5- though for sure.

[Dalymountrower]

Very pleasant mid week break in Thesalonoki.
PAOK fans and locals were very friendly so hard to know why the alarm bells were rung by the local cops.
Thought PAOK learned a lot from the first leg, set up to to avoid counter attacks and the had an international class player ,Bieswar, who was absolute class.
2 poor goals to concede, but Talbot saved another three gilt edged chances but Bohs had four similar chances and should have scored at least one.
Amazed that Bohs had the physical conditioning to play to the full 96 minutes and be pressing to save the tie right at the final whistle.The heat was horrendous. Toumba is in the bottom of a bowl, no breeze and 31-32 degrees for the game.
A lot of positives and a lot of what if's.

Fair play to Rovers winning away in that heat and hard luck Dundalk after putting it up to Vitesse.

[2 Year Contract]

PAOK battered Bohs first half and if it wasn’t for their poor finishing and lack of luck with the likes of the shot that hit the bar and bounced into Talbots arms, it could’ve realistically been 4/5-0 at half time but fair play to Bohs for keeping just 1 goal in it which always gave them a chance. Ward's clearance in injury time was a proper LOI in Europe horror moment.

Strange game in Tallaght. Great atmosphere for the first 30 and last 20 mins but it was absolutely dead in between that time as was the match a bit. The game itself mirrored that and Dundalk were by far the better team until Vittese's first goal in the 28th minute and again after Hoban's goal in the 71st. They were very unlucky not to have taken one of the chances they created late on but they'll be kicking themselves they didn’t get going earlier into that 40 minute period already mentioned. I thought the likes of Patching, McEleney and Duffy showed they'd be more than capable of playing at Eredivisie level

[2 Year Contract]

Thought PAOK learned a lot from the first leg, set up to to avoid counter attacks and the had an international class player ,Bieswar, who was absolute class.

Brilliant ball for the opener and good finish for the second goal in fairness to him but 4 caps for 139th ranked Suriname isn’t exactly an impressive return of 'international class' but if you think that’s impressive you better recall Bastien Hery from Derry because he’s got a more impressive international CV with his 3 caps for 97th ranked Madagascar ;)

[paul_oshea]

From the IT

"Twenty minutes remained to level a fixture that really deserved to be on television as Dundalk out classed and out muscled Vitesse.

What made this loss so commendable was the way Perth’s men held their shape, stretching the field to prompt big, looping crosses that forced Danilho Doekhi, the enormous Vitesse centre half, to belt clearances in any and all directions. The Dutch were rattled down the home straight"

Any football fan with little to do on a Thursday would have got great enjoyment out of that game last night.

[pineapple stu]

Highlights from Greece last night. That PAOK shot off the bar in the first half does look like it bounced just over the line. Maybe it just clipped it; hard to be entirely sure from the replay of course.

No sign of Ward's late miss and I wonder if the highlights are a little bit biased (it's Greek highlights), though I guess other than that, it seems to tally roughly with the comments from here at the time.

[
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Tyl2XhcYQ4

[CorribsideSteve]

How on earth did Dundalk not get a second? Absolutely remarkable that Vitesse were hanging on for their lives, and largely need to thank their keeper Schubert. The classic, easily conceded, set of goals haunts another LOI team, and ends up being a crucial difference more often than not. Ireland badly need both McEleney and Duffy in the squad though. What talents. That last 20 minutes as agonizing as it was, McMillans miss especially,was also a joy to watch, showing that when LOI teams have belief coarsing through them, they can elevate themselves from their lowly co-efficient table reality, and take on all comers. Vitesse were reaching for the vallium at the end and that's a great credit to Dundalk. You'd have to think the hunger of this feeling will drive them on to have a sizzling run domestically just to savor this again next year. That should be their focus now.

As for Bohs, I saw most of the match and PAOK were as wasteful as Vitesse last week, if not more, and easily could have won 4/5/6 nil on another evening,BUT, Bohs had their chances too, and it's very admirable that at the end of it all, there was only 1 goal in the tie. One of the Bohs players volleyed the ball away in disgust at the final whistle which told a lot about their ambition and belief; we COULD have levelled the tie. Keep that anger and use it for good next year.

Look how important the Champions path is. Shams having a solid win in similar heat to Greece and must surely fancy their chances of the group stages now.

2 of our sides lost by the odd goal to multi-multi millionaire outfits, loaded with International level players, and at times, believed they could win. I'm taking positive hopeful signs from that.

[2 Year Contract]

Just saw this angle showing Duffy as clearly being onside for the goal he had disallowed 40 seconds into the game. Brilliant ball from Patching it was and a great finish from Duffy. Who knows how the game would’ve gone if Dundalk had the lead

https://twitter.com/jamesrogersie/status/1425951380632649729?s=21

[TonyD]

[QUOTE=CorribsideSteve;

2 of our sides lost by the odd goal to multi-multi millionaire outfits, loaded with International level players, and at times, believed they could win. I'm taking positive hopeful signs from that.[/QUOTE]

Didn’t see the games, but I’d agree with this. Going by the reports Bohs and Dundalk deserve great credit for competing seriously in the ties, when they were up against clubs with resources they (and the rest of the league here) can only dream about. Fair play to them. I’d love that to be Pats next year, hopefully we will qualify for Europe.

Rovers look to have a super chance of making the group stages now.

[EatYerGreens]

I'm wondering about the long term viability of this league to be honest. I know it's to keep the minnows away from the big guns and create a monopoly and kill super League but I don't see how any TV revenue will be generated from it

Well with clubs like Spurs, Roma, Galatasary, Basel, Anderlecht, Copenhagen and Vitesse in it, I'd say the TV rights won't be an issue.