LOI in Europe 2022

[EatYerGreens]

I guess Sheriff is the best (assuming they win) tough though

Plus a handy away trip to north inner-city Dublin :ball:

[2 Year Contract]

I’d like to avoid Slavia Prague.

Slavia Praha
Suduva
Spartak Trnava
Winner of Sfîntul Gheorghe v Mura
Winner of Buducnost v Llapi

From a progression point of view, I’d order the draws as below (most favourable first):
1) Suduva
2) Buducnost
3) Mura
4) Spartak Trnava
5) Slavia Prague

From a ‘that’s a great away trip' point of view I’d nearly flip that order upside down. In terms of travel I wouldn’t be mad on having just 7 or 14 days notice to book a trip to (likely) Montenegro or Slovenia, as first world a problem as that is :)

[joey B]

From a progression point of view, I’d order the draws as below (most favourable first):
1) Suduva
2) Buducnost
3) Mura
4) Spartak Trnava
5) Slavia Prague

From a ‘that’s a great away trip' point of view I’d nearly flip that order upside down. In terms of travel I wouldn’t be mad on having just 7 or 14 days notice to book a trip to (likely) Montenegro or Slovenia, as first world a problem as that is :)

Mura beat Spurs last season aswell,might be good to avoid id say!

[2 Year Contract]

Mura beat Spurs last season aswell,might be good to avoid id say!

I recall that game yeah, it was a weakened spurs side but the likes of Harry Kane still played the full 90. They lost the return game 5-1 in London and were beaten in all their other group games with Stade Rennes and Vitesse but still not an easy draw. They were only formed 10 years ago so seem to have had money pumped into them as we’ve seen with the likes of Sheriff

[yurt]

Seeded
1 Derry City (IRL) / Riga (LVA)
2 Royal Antwerp (BEL)
3 Basel (SUI)
4 Tre Fiori (SMR) / Fola Esch (LUX)
5 Vaduz (LIE)
Unseeded
6 Inter Turku (FIN) / Drita (KOS)
7 Koper (SVN)
8 Ružomberok (SVK) / Kauno Žalgiris (LTU)
9 Magpies (GIB) / Crusaders (NIR)

10 Borac Banja Luka (BIH) / B36 Tórshavn (FRO)

Derry's opponents means they will be on the seeded side of the ECLQ2 draw. Knowing this, this could turnout to be the best draw out of all 3 teams today.

Only maybe the Slovenians or Slovakians would be less than a 50/50 game in their potential second round. Although I think both Derry and Crusaders would be massively hoping to draw each other.

[Nesta99]

Olympiacos (GRE)
Ludogorets (BUL) / Sutjeska (MNE)
Zrinjski (BIH) / Sheriff (MDA)
Pyunik (ARM) / CFR Cluj (ROU)

1 of these for Rovers if we beat Hibs.
I guess Sheriff is the best (assuming they win) tough though

There is damn all to work with in that group, catch Olympiacos cold and underestimating opponents could be the lucky draw. Dundalk put Sheriff out on penos 2020 but they went and beat Real Madrid last year in UCL groups (from QR1). Cluj and Pyunik know how to get through tough rounds regularly, Ludogorets should be beating Sutjeska. Unless Rover dig out 2 big games its ECL(QR3?).

Yeah Derry may just have gotten the best draw if they beat Riga, very winnable ties in that group if they can recapture some form..

Winner of Buducnost v Llapi for St Pats. Mura did beat a half bothered Spurs 2nd string but lost well to Vitesse twice last year. Sfîntul Gheorghe have just 4 European games but not sure that indicates what they're like really. Least inconvenient and expense on travel might be the best draw here too.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

And that's the truth! You joke but the FAI and league of Ireland should ban any team from first re-entry and in their place goes the last best in Europe not in Europe, who embarrass themselves and the league :D

Ridiculous. We’ve earned our place to embarrass everyone.

[placid casual]

It shows the stacked nature of closed shop that is Champions league, that Sheriff are still having to scratch around in the prelims despite their progression last year. How on gods name do dog**** teams like spurs get such a relative passage into champions league despite not troubling the league winners enclosure since (?)1961 or thereabouts.

[placid casual]

In regards to Rovers drawing Hibs, as stated everywhere else it's the best we could have hoped for.
Get through this round and European football opens up in front of us. Which can only be good for LOI football 😉

[CorribsideSteve]

Nobody embarrased us more in Europe in recent times than Shamrock Rovers. They're going to hve to be hundred times better than last season's ... whatever that was. Sligo have been keystone cop levels of hapless in Europe themselves, but surely they can beat a Welsh team. Hard to see Derry getting past Riga. They should really have knocked Dundalk out there a few years back.

[pineapple stu]

It shows the stacked nature of closed shop that is Champions league, that Sheriff are still having to scratch around in the prelims despite their progression last year. How on gods name do dog**** teams like spurs get such a relative passage into champions league despite not troubling the league winners enclosure since (?)1961 or thereabouts.

Cos in the end of the day, Spurs have done a lot more in Europe than Sheriff have.

Seedings are based off this (https://kassiesa.net/uefa/data/method5/trank2022.html) - still includes a CL final appearance for one.

[sbgawa]

There is damn all to work with in that group, catch Olympiacos cold and underestimating opponents could be the lucky draw. Dundalk put Sheriff out on penos 2020 but they went and beat Real Madrid last year in UCL groups (from QR1). Cluj and Pyunik know how to get through tough rounds regularly, Ludogorets should be beating Sutjeska. Unless Rover dig out 2 big games its ECL(QR3?).

Yeah Derry may just have gotten the best draw if they beat Riga, very winnable ties in that group if they can recapture some form..

Winner of Buducnost v Llapi for St Pats. Mura did beat a half bothered Spurs 2nd string but lost well to Vitesse twice last year. Sfîntul Gheorghe have just 4 European games but not sure that indicates what they're like really. Least inconvenient and expense on travel might be the best draw here too.

If we beat hibs and then lose the second qualifying round we drop into Europa League Q3.
If we then lose that round its Conference league play off round.
Basically beat Hibs and we are guaranteed 3 more rounds any one of which if we win it guarantees group stages , sounds easy but the draws get progressively harder (unless you are lucky) as can be seen with CLQR2 draw where we would be heavy underdogs against all the likely winners.

[sbgawa]

Rovers get Ludogorets (BUL) or Sutjeska (MNE) in second round.
Away first leg.
Not hopeful but its not impossible.

[pineapple stu]

That's a horrible tie. Ludogorets are a seriously good team (11 successive league titles since promotion; regulars in the EL groups) but with no profile.

[Finlay Harp]

What’s this European Football you all write about!

[pineapple stu]

Don't pretend you don't know! :p


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNkVtLHY1qE

[Kiki Balboa]

No easy games at all...especially after the first round.

Rovers should still be happy with Ludograts. Bulgarian football is in complete disarray. While an underdog... i think this is their best draw and best chance

[Jd2793]

no chance of them beating ludo im afraid

[joey B]

Just noticed Bulgaria couldn’t beat Gibraltar! Shame Ludogorets don’t have many Bulgarian internationals!!

[sbgawa]

Don't pretend you don't know! :p


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNkVtLHY1qE


Thats harsh

[joey B]

Sfîntul Gheorghe or Mura for Pats…

[joey B]

And if Sligo beat Bala they play Motherwell! Nice travel luck for Sligo anyway!!!

[2 Year Contract]

Tough draw for pats On the pitch and it’s also not the cheapest/easiest place to get to on initial looking.

Dont know who in UEFA Sligo bribed to get a first round trip to Wales followed by a trip to Motherwell for the second

[joey B]

Ružomberok or Kauno Žalgiris for Derry if they beat Riga…

[pineapple stu]

You'd kind of think there's a chance of progression in one of those Conference League ties (well, if bad domestic form can be sorted).

Though Slovenia/Slovakia/Scotland is definitely a step up from Luxembourg/Estonia last time out.

[oriel]

Rovers get Ludogorets (BUL) or Sutjeska (MNE) in second round.
Away first leg.
Not hopeful but its not impossible.

If its Ludogorets they are no mugs, they knocked Olympiacos out in 2021, but Rovers will be well fancied to beat Hibs, so good chance they'll pair up.

When they drop to EL / Conf they will have much better chance of progressing.

[Nesta99]

Thats harsh

Stu just loves Finn Harps, a closet fan!!

Tough draw for all involved, Sligo ticked some boxes with the easy trip and least expense on travel. Sligo have to win in QR1, and its not unheard of for a LoI side to scare or even beat Scottish sides - just ask Roddy Collins, superGretna. or Tony McCarthy's arm. Coleraine took them to penalties, they'll be in preseason so ye never know. First time they will meet LoI opposition which I was surprised at.

[Buller]

Stu just loves Finn Harps, a closet fan!!

Tough draw for all involved, Sligo ticked some boxes with the easy trip and least expense on travel. Sligo have to win in QR1, and its not unheard of for a LoI side to scare or even beat Scottish sides - just ask Roddy Collins, superGretna. or Tony McCarthy's arm. Coleraine took them to penalties, they'll be in preseason so ye never know. First time they will meet LoI opposition which I was surprised at.

SuperGretna! There's a blast from the past. Probably the most memorable thread on foot.ie

[EatYerGreens]

Just noticed Bulgaria couldn’t beat Gibraltar! Shame Ludogorets don’t have many Bulgarian internationals!!

Wasn't so long ago that Ireland couldn't beat Luxembourg either :cool:

[SPXcyan]

Be handy if Derry City do get through to play my current home of Kaunas, be a handy win for Derry too I'd wager, and the new 15k all seated stadium could be ready for it too ;)

[joey B]

https://mobile.twitter.com/sligorovers/status/1537119998992318470

Sligo saying their supporters aren’t guaranteed an away allocation,is there no rules from UEFA of guaranteed tickets for away fans?

[SPXcyan]

Has to be a joke?! what are they playing at..

[nigel-harps1954]

https://mobile.twitter.com/sligorovers/status/1537119998992318470

Sligo saying their supporters aren’t guaranteed an away allocation,is there no rules from UEFA of guaranteed tickets for away fans?

Presumably that's just very poorly worded. Think they have to give a minimum of 5% of the capacity, but that's only about 50 seats in Owestry, which would be taken up by players families, club officials and sponsors leaving nothing for the average supporter.

Balas highest attendance all through last season was barely 500. They're unlikely to fill 1,000 seats themselves.

I'd presume, what Sligo Rovers are saying, is they haven't confirmed how many tickets they're getting.

[D24Saint]

Not a great draw for us football or travel wise. It’s an awkward town to get to and doesn’t like much going once you do. There seems to be only one hotel in the town centre.

[TonyD]

Sfîntul Gheorghe or Mura for Pats…

Moldova - the flashbacks !!.

[redarmyfaction]

Have AGS interviewed the Harps keeper, he kept throwing the ball to Derby and didn't seem too keen about making saves either. Deffo match fixing on the total goals market.

https://youtu.be/sNkVtLHY1qE

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Presumably that's just very poorly worded. Think they have to give a minimum of 5% of the capacity, but that's only about 50 seats in Owestry, which would be taken up by players families, club officials and sponsors leaving nothing for the average supporter.

Balas highest attendance all through last season was barely 500. They're unlikely to fill 1,000 seats themselves.

I'd presume, what Sligo Rovers are saying, is they haven't confirmed how many tickets they're getting.

It’s there in the tweet

“ We will issue information on allocation and how to secure a ticket as soon as details are confirmed.”

[D24Saint]

It’s there in the tweet

“ We will issue information on allocation and how to secure a ticket as soon as details are confirmed.”

Wonder is the cops involved in this. I heard they can go ott for games like this.

[EatYerGreens]

Wonder is the cops involved in this. I heard they can go ott for games like this.

For Bala Town vs Sligo ? ;)

[sbgawa]

For Bala Town vs Sligo ? ;)

Have you not heard of the Bala Ultra crew

[placid casual]

Think their crew is know as the Bala Clavers.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Think their crew is know as the Bala Clavers.

Brilliant 👏

[D24Saint]

Think their crew is know as the Bala Clavers.

They will be no match for the Garvoge Galoots.

[brendy_éire]

Ružomberok or Kauno Žalgiris for Derry if they beat Riga…

I don't think we'll beeat Riga, but there'd be very little chance of us beating Ružomberok, if we assume they get through. That's a real step up in quality.

I'm more concerned that we won't be able to beat Drogs tomorrow evening, never mind anyone in Europe.

[Kiki Balboa]

If Derry can get any sort of form back, they should be beating Riga. They are 4th in the Latvian league. The played Dundalk 3 years ago, not the same team.

These are the exact teams LOI should be beaten.

[EatYerGreens]

If Derry can get any sort of form back, they should be beating Riga. They are 4th in the Latvian league. The played Dundalk 3 years ago, not the same team.

These are the exact teams LOI should be beaten.

The issue we have in the LOI - and I say this as someone who supports a Summer season - is that there is an 8mth gap between when our teams qualify for Europe and when they play. For those leagues with a more traditional Winter season its roughly 2 months. So LOI clubs are much more likely to be a different team playing in different form by the time they fulfil European fixtures. This is of course balanced to some extent by the fact that our clubs are mid-season and so match fit, sharper etc. But there is often quite a difference between the LOI team who qualified for Europe and the team who gets to play in it - both in personnel and particularly in form.

[brendy_éire]

If Derry can get any sort of form back, they should be beating Riga. They are 4th in the Latvian league. The played Dundalk 3 years ago, not the same team.

These are the exact teams LOI should be beaten.

Not sure I'd be as dismissive of the Latvian league, and we're third in the LoI, if they were looking at it that way.
Hopefully I'm wrong, but based on our current form, I can't be confident.

Latvia are above us in the country co-efficients, and Riga are above us in the club one. It's a team LoI clubs could beat, but on paper, they're better than us.

[pineapple stu]

They've held Celtic, Copenhagen and Malmö to one goal defeats in the last couple of years; they seem decent enough.

Course against that they lost to Dundalk and also to that Gibraltar team last year.

It's the kind of tie we should be winning to show progress as a league alright, but it's hard not to view Riga as favourites. They're fourth in the league but they've won 11 of 16 games; it's tight at the top and then there's a huge drop-off after them

[sparky12345678]

The issue we have in the LOI - and I say this as someone who supports a Summer season - is that there is an 8mth gap between when our teams qualify for Europe and when they play. For those leagues with a more traditional Winter season its roughly 2 months. So LOI clubs are much more likely to be a different team playing in different form by the time they fulfil European fixtures. This is of course balanced to some extent by the fact that our clubs are mid-season and so match fit, sharper etc. But there is often quite a difference between the LOI team who qualified for Europe and the team who gets to play in it - both in personnel and particularly in form.

but how unique is that to Ireland's situation? we are not the only ones with a summer season like this..?

[sparky12345678]

They've held Celtic, Copenhagen and Malmö to one goal defeats in the last couple of years; they seem decent enough.

Course against that they lost to Dundalk and also to that Gibraltar team last year.

It's the kind of tie we should be winning to show progress as a league alright, but it's hard not to view Riga as favourites. They're fourth in the league but they've won 11 of 16 games; it's tight at the top and then there's a huge drop-off after them

but exactly. I mean how is it that small "less developed" countries from the Baltics or Balkans/Eastern Europe are able to perform on this stage better than us.

Riga is the capital and has more people than Derry so sure, but Latvia also has 1.9 million people. Latvia is not exactly a country known for its footballing culture.
Slovenia has a population of 2 million, Murska Soboto has 11,000 people; what would the LOI equivalent be (even accounting for GAA/Rugby competition)?

I mean Bulgaria does have 6 million people but Razgrad the home of Ludogrets has 40,000 people... I mean I get that it seems that there is some dodgy/shady dealings and investments at play behind the scenes but it still baffles me that we cant be on the same level of a country like Slovakia (not to mention the Scandanavian countries)