LOI in Europe 2022

[ontheotherhand]

Probably a little of both.

The travel had a big impact on us. We were competitive in the second half after we got going and obviously in the home leg. But once a team is 2 up and they have good attackers....you're in serious trouble at that level.

[sparky12345678]

I though it also worth noting the Israeli team in the champions league despite attempts to stack it with "big countries" and that both Celtic and Ragners are there too despite asperitons to the standard of league there... (quirks of coefficients are also interesting ala Rangers v Celtic but anyways).

It would be nice, given Rovers have some breathing space domestically, if they decided to take the Conference League a bit seriously. There is the potential for some hype similar to what happened with Dundalk. It felt that people got behind them, saw their ambition and each game was close enough in the end. They should be aiming for more than the 4 points that Dundalk got (in the Europa League). It would be nice if they beat at least one team that is ranked "higher" than them, ala Dundalk v BATE or Tel Aviv etc etc

[ger121]

Ludogorets score a 120 minute penalty to go through.

[ger121]

And CSKA who got past Pats by the skin of their teeth are still leading Basel with about 25 mins to go in the tie. Every match is different.

2-0 now to Basel deep into injury time. Be good to see that lot dumped out.

[pineapple stu]

Vaduz 1-0 up away to Rapid Wien; 2-1 on aggregate.

Could be looking at the first Liechtenstein team in the group stages of Europe, to add to Lithuania (confirmed), Kosovo (now 3-1 up and a man up with 20 to go), the North (still level on aggregate)

[passinginterest]

Solid stuff from Rovers so far. Although Ferenc are strolling around for the most part, certainly not pressing with any great energy.

[ger121]

Vaduz 1-0 up away to Rapid Wien; 2-1 on aggregate.

Could be looking at the first Liechtenstein team in the group stages of Europe, to add to Lithuania (confirmed), Kosovo (now 3-1 up and a man up with 20 to go), the North (still level on aggregate)

Rovers in now with a very good chance of being in Pot 3.

[TonyD]

2-0 now to Basel deep into injury time. Be good to see that lot dumped out.

Absolutely, horrible bunch.Though, having said that, them doing well against Basel shows Pats in a good light, considering how close we ran them.

Linfield match on BBC 2. Flicking between that and Rovers. Even enough looking game, but Linfield missed a sitter with a free header on the six yard line.

[pineapple stu]

Emakhu a bit lucky to stay on the pitch there. No need for him to be that close behind the keeper; I don't buy the commentators' argument that he wasn't to know the keeper was going to slow down so quickly and couldn't get out of the way.

[pineapple stu]

Manny's saves Rovers there, but where had the defence gone?

[passinginterest]

Emakhu a bit lucky to stay on the pitch there. No need for him to be that close behind the keeper; I don't buy the commentators' argument that he wasn't to know the keeper was going to slow down so quickly and couldn't get out of the way.

Ah no way that’s a card. Keepers are protected enough, can’t be booking someone for bumping into them!

[pineapple stu]

Ah no way that’s a card. Keepers are protected enough, can’t be booking someone for bumping into them!
Keeper rightly pointed out that it stopped a quick counter. That kind of thing is a yellow further up the pitch.

You could say it was an accidental collision, but I don't think that excuses it necessarily.

It'd be harsh, but there was a case for a booking there. Silly thing to be doing while on a yellow

[sparky12345678]

Vaduz 1-0 up away to Rapid Wien; 2-1 on aggregate.

Could be looking at the first Liechtenstein team in the group stages of Europe, to add to Lithuania (confirmed), Kosovo (now 3-1 up and a man up with 20 to go), the North (still level on aggregate)

I am really curious about the Kosovo league. I mean we complain about lack of infrastructue, support, money etc but how have they managed to pull together a league that is now basically at the same level as us in only a few years? The Balkans do have a strong football culture and probably there is some money there and I know it probably is another year or two for their coefficient to level off but they still seem to do alright overall... and having now qualified for ECL proven they can mix it up at "this level". Fair play to linfield if they can also get a result...

[pineapple stu]

Linfield miss a two-on-one chance in the box; criminal stuff

[pineapple stu]

And the Latvians miss a one-on-one, so I guess that balances out.

Think Linfield are the better side, but RFS are looking more dangerous when they attack. Still too close to call

[joey B]

Rovers in pot 3 for tomorrows draw….

[pineapple stu]

RFS keeper stops the ball on the line having slipped on his arse

Heading for extra time

[joey B]

Hit the post with the last kick of the game,no idea how they didn’t score,RFS are brutal….

[pineapple stu]

Linfield hit the post with literally the last touch of the 90. Into extra time now. Really tense match, though Linfield in particular look like they'd struggle to make any impact up front if they got to the groups

[passinginterest]

Deserved winner on the night for Rovers. Byrne’s quality is just so many levels above when he has time on the ball.

[pineapple stu]

Late goal for Lyons has Rovers on the way to a first ever LoI win over Hungarian opposition in Europe.

Also means that the LoI record in Europe is the exact same as last year - 10 wins, 3 draw, 7 defeats, 5 rounds progressed through. Goals record is worse (20-24 v 30-22), but of course there's a group stage to come.

[pateen]

Well done Rovers. Very entertaining and a deserved win

[pineapple stu]

Linfield score - 15 minutes to hang on now.

FC Vaduz into injury time and still 1-0 up. And the Kosovans and Lithuanians are confirmed in the groups too.

Any of those would be reasonable bottom seeds for Rovers to get.

(Actually, Linfield and Vaduz will be third seeds I think)

[ger121]

20 wins in 2 years is some going. Yes I know the argument about more winnable ties with ECL but still it is something to be proud about. In many of those ties the LOI side has also been the unseeded side.

[swinfordfc]

Rovers and Linfield in the same group would be brilliant.

[swinfordfc]

Oh they can't so ... That mad ... Both teams third seeds in the group stages ... How times are changing!

[pineapple stu]

Actually, I was looking at the 10-year listings. Rovers and Linfield have the same coefficient (7.000) but Rovers are ahead on tie-break. So if Rovers are the weakest third seeds, Linfield are the top fourth seeds. And Vaduz are 6.500, so are lower again.

And it has to be remembered Linfield conceded twice in injury time last week, so while that doesn't look likely based on the 110 minutes so far, you can't rule out RFS qualifying still.

[paul_oshea]

Ludogorets gone to ET with Zalgiris. They haven’t been that good since the 1st leg vs Rovers. Maybe they are not as good as that 3-0 result suggested.

Of course. Same as ferencvaros, Bradley either has no in game management ability or learns loads from the away game. They're more than capable of picking up 6 points at home if they approach it right

[paul_oshea]

Bradley's come out saying the same thing basically too much respect and holding off them in the away leg

Well it's down to you Stephen how the team play and setup

[ger121]

Slovan score in the 122 minute to bring game to penalties. Could be in Pot 2 if they win.

[pineapple stu]

Own goal 119th minute equaliser for the Latvians seconds after Linfield miss a 4-on-1

They really only have themselves to blame

[ger121]

Jesus Linfield

[joey B]

That was hilarious!!

[pineapple stu]

Slovan score in the 122 minute to bring game to penalties. Could be in Pot 2 if they win.

Who - Slovan or Rovers?

[swinfordfc]

What an og!

[pineapple stu]

Penos it is

[ger121]

Who - Slovan or Rovers?

Slovan. So potential opponents.

[yurt]

Holy Moses I've never seen a bottle job like that from Linfield.

Go seek it out when the highlights go up, I've only watched the last 5 minutes and they looked in complete control. Will do well to get the heads right for pens.

[pineapple stu]

First Linfield peno saved

You actually feel for them

[pineapple stu]

And they send the second one wide!

This is car crash stuff

[ger121]

And they miss their first. This tie should have been wrapped up long by now.

[ger121]

What an implosion

[swinfordfc]

The biggest bottle job you ever see! They had a 4 v 1 before the og and mess it up! Christ!

[pineapple stu]

Unbelievable.

Missing that chance when they had two players in on the keeper in the box was maybe the real key one, but they were woeful in front of goal almost all night, including the penalties

[pineapple stu]

The biggest bottle job you ever see! They had a 4 v 1 before the og and mess it up! Christ!
Don't forget they were 2-0 up in Latvia last week going into injury time and drew 2-2.

[ger121]

The tie could have been nearly over after the 1st leg. 2 up with 5 minutes to play. Can’t seal the deal in normal time, ET when leading with seconds left and finally missing your first 2 penalties. Spectacular failure.

[TonyD]

Holy Moses I've never seen a bottle job like that from Linfield.

Go seek it out when the highlights go up, I've only watched the last 5 minutes and they looked in complete control. Will do well to get the heads right for pens.

I watched a good bit of it and they should have won comfortably. Actually almost did feel sorry for them, but you have to see these things through. Chris Shields was brilliant for them.

[Straightstory]

Shields was brilliant. Disastrous decision to take him off. (He's also a fearless penalty taker - as I remember against Sheriff). I've rarely sees such scenes of desolation and deflation after a defeat.

[placid casual]

Another good home victory for Rovers in Europe, albeit against a half ar€ed opponent. Rovers have really missed Jack Byrnes set piece delivery in recent months so hopefully his comeback is timed well for ECL group stages. Great European experience for Justin & Aidomo and Finner equalling Gary Rogers record is indicative of one Finner being one of the LOI greats in recent years.
Linfields clown car trapdoor exit is comical in the extreme-You'd think they'd be only too happy to replicate a Brexit style way of exiting Europe in embarrassing fashion to impress their butchers apron waving friends on their fast receding "mainland" 😂😂

[joey B]

Shields was brilliant. Disastrous decision to take him off. (He's also a fearless penalty taker - as I remember against Sheriff). I've rarely sees such scenes of desolation and deflation after a defeat.

He was unbelievable,someone looking to challenge down here should throw some money at him…