LOI in Europe 2022

[Kingswood Rover]

Genk seems to be the fans firm favourite should get a few hundred traveling to that, mmmmmm belgian soup.

[Philosophizer]

Lots of talk about whether it's a good group or not, but it all depends on what your definition of good is.
Personally I'm thinking of going to the away games so would have loved a glamour tie somewhere warm like Fiorentina/Villareal. And maybe a European city trip like Belgrade/Prague/Koln and then a very winnable tie like RFS.
And all of those trips would be very affordable.
By my metrics, it's been a brutal draw.
But if you're thinking about it purely for football reasons it's probably an ok group.

[sbgawa]

That sounds a bit unlikely doesn't it?

6/7 points in second place means one more defeat than victory (1-3-2 or 2-1-3), which means the group winners have to get at least three more wins than defeats (3-3-0, say). But that requires a clear top seed, and I don't think Gent are them.

7 got through one ECL group last year, and 8 through two more, while all the others needed at least 10 points. One team (Rangers, strangely) got through the EL groups with 8 points, and Benfica/Atlético got through the CL groups with 8/7 points, but in the CL there's definitely clear top seeds (Bayern/Liverpool won all their group games)

I think another way of looking at the group is that Djurgarden, Molde and Gent will all fancy their chances of winning the group, and will think that starts with six points against Rovers. A tight group does open things up, but also puts pressure on every game.

That would be my take on it and hence a good start with a home win would really put the cat among the pigeons.
As passinginterest said above zero points wouldn't be a surprise but 6 or 7 isn't impossible either.
Djurgardens beat Apoel Nicosia 3 nil at home and then lost 3 to 2 in the return leg in Cyprus....pretty impressive but if Rovers can get Jack fit i wouldnt put it past us to get a few decent results

[joey B]

Genk seems to be the fans firm favourite should get a few hundred traveling to that, mmmmmm belgian soup.

I hope Rovers fans don’t end up in Genk anyway!!

[ontheotherhand]

Not a great draw. No really winnable tie and it will probably be tight until the end so nobody will take their foot off the gas. Expensive away trips although I like Stockholm and we owe Djurgardens.

But hey, we are in the groups and will hopefully have Jack and Burke fully fit for the adventure. A home win and draw would be lovely. Bring it on.

[placid casual]

Talk of finishing 2nd in this group is beyond fanciful, that being said I'd be disappointed if Rovers finished up with zero points. I think a win and a draw is certainly achievable with anything above that a really impressive return.
Now to go win the double.

[yurt]

That sounds a bit unlikely doesn't it?
6/7 points in second place means one more defeat than victory (1-3-2 or 2-1-3), which means the group winners have to get at least three more wins than defeats (3-3-0, say). But that requires a clear top seed, and I don't think Gent are them.


Yeah, like it is very unlikely for Rovers to qualify. The point I was trying to make is that their excellent home form alone is something which could possibly be enough to see them advance. But it is unlikely.

[ontheotherhand]

Yeah, like it is very unlikely for Rovers to qualify. The point I was trying to make is that their excellent home form alone is something which could possibly be enough to see them advance. But it is unlikely.

Don't stop believing yurt. All those teams are going to draw with each other home and away while we will win all our home ties. We will get hammered away by a combined total of 12 goals but top the group on 9 points with everyone else on 7. Simples.

[pineapple stu]

Here's the highlights from Linfield v RFS last night actually. The two-on-the-keeper chance is at 0:18, and was immediately followed by an RFS one-on-one which isn't shown. Then the 4-on-1 miss which led to the goal is at 2:20


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dwr4JPDESU8

[sparky12345678]

That would be my take on it and hence a good start with a home win would really put the cat among the pigeons.
As passinginterest said above zero points wouldn't be a surprise but 6 or 7 isn't impossible either.
Djurgardens beat Apoel Nicosia 3 nil at home and then lost 3 to 2 in the return leg in Cyprus....pretty impressive but if Rovers can get Jack fit i wouldnt put it past us to get a few decent results

not to make the comparison with Dundalk but if
St. Petersbourg/AZ = Ghent/Molde
Tel Aviv = Djurgardens

I dont think people were expecting Dundalk to get much from that group either and were obv chuffed with the 4 plus staying relatively competitive even against St Petersbourg. It seems like 3-4 points should be similarly be a realistic a target.

[legendz]

Kenny's Dundalk picked up a creditable 4 points in 2016. While difficult, 8 points is an achievable ambitious target.

[sidewayspasser]

I hope Rovers fans don’t end up in Genk anyway!!
They wouldn't be the first ones ending up in the wrong place after a Genk/Gent confusion.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/gent-or-genk-liverpool-fans-miss-victory-after-belgian-city-mixup-1.4061458

[Nesta99]

Kenny's Dundalk picked up a creditable 4 points in 2016. While difficult, 8 points is an achievable ambitious target.

Going in to the last game against Tel-Aviv we still had a chance of going through, indeed a spectacular kilduff missed sitter if put away and go 1-2 up (and another late miss also) would have would have had us in the top 2.
It would have been bitterly disappointing in the end as over the last few minutes events in the other game put a last 32 beyond us. The preventable goals at home to Zenit home, the very early one v AZ where they caught us cold and while we had them pinned back couldnt get a result. Ifs and buts! That was a formidable group and we didnt look out of our depth and its certainly possible for Rovers to pick up points, 4 is doable and after that ye never know.

[Kingswood Rover]

I hope Rovers fans don’t end up in Genk anyway!!
booboo due to intense excitement

[legendz]

Going in to the last game against Tel-Aviv we still had a chance of going through, indeed a spectacular kilduff missed sitter if put away and go 1-2 up (and another late miss also) would have would have had us in the top 2.
It would have been bitterly disappointing in the end as over the last few minutes events in the other game put a last 32 beyond us. The preventable goals at home to Zenit home, the very early one v AZ where they caught us cold and while we had them pinned back couldnt get a result. Ifs and buts! That was a formidable group and we didnt look out of our depth and its certainly possible for Rovers to pick up points, 4 is doable and after that ye never know.Gent 27.500
Ludogorets Razgrad 23.000
Molde 19.000
Ferencváros 15.500
Shamrock Rovers 7.000
Djurgårdens IF 4.575
Dundalk 2016 were a formidable group alright. 4 points is doable as you say. Rovers momentum with their home form might eek out a few more points. Going into the group stage in Pot 3, 4th will be a harsh failure of sorts, 3rd par for the course and an unexpected qualification from the group a great success.

[ontheotherhand]

Gent 27.500
Ludogorets Razgrad 23.000
Molde 19.000
Ferencváros 15.500
Shamrock Rovers 7.000
Djurgårdens IF 4.575
Dundalk 2016 were a formidable group alright. 4 points is doable as you say. Rovers momentum with their home form might eek out a few more points. Going into the group stage in Pot 3, 4th will be a harsh failure of sorts, 3rd par for the course and an unexpected qualification from the group a great success.

3rd par for the course? I wouldn't be too fooled by Djurgs coefficient legendz. We aren't the 3rd strongest team in that group. They are 3rd in the Swedish league after 19 games.

Would give us a chance at home against them all the same.

[ger121]

They won’t fear any of those sides and why should they. Good teams sure but not exactly power houses of European Football.
Two of the sides are in title contention and will be in the business end of their leagues during the period of the 6 matches. Will be interesting to see how that might impact on performances. Rovers will coast to the league so that is not going to be an issue for them.
Someone else made a good point that the other 3 teams most likely will take points off each other, that could create its own pressure to take maximum points in the games with Rovers.
Travel and heat will not be a factor, games will be at a packed Tallaght and not the Aviva where they are used to winning. Also some key players should be returning from injury. All of these variables should make this group quite interesting. A home game first, would be a good one for the computer to spit out.

[Nesta99]

3rd par for the course? I wouldn't be too fooled by Djurgs coefficient legendz. We aren't the 3rd strongest team in that group. They are 3rd in the Swedish league after 19 games.

Would give us a chance at home against them all the same.

Dundalk had the lowest ranking in 2016 EL groups with being the side with the lowest co-efficient to progress from qr1 to groups. So it both backs your point that you cant always use a low co-efficient as a gauge, but also that Rovers should be targeting wins in genuine belief that they an pick up points.

[ontheotherhand]

Dundalk had the lowest ranking in 2016 EL groups with being the side with the lowest co-efficient to progress from qr1 to groups. So it both backs your point that you cant always use a low co-efficient as a gauge, but also that Rovers should be targeting wins in genuine belief that they an pick up points.

I think we will pick up points but we will be underdogs in every game no matter what the coefficients say was my point. Dundalk had the best run in Irish history and ended up in 4th. Hopefully Djurgs do the same from their own lowly coefficient standing!

We will probably finish in 4th as well but hopefully we can match the 4 points dundalk picked up if we catch a few teams early doors when they aren't expecting much of a challenge. A home tie first would be ideal although maybe we want to lull them all into a false sense of security by getting hammered away in the first game....then release Jack and Burke on then in Tallaght.

[legendz]

Dundalk had the lowest ranking in 2016 EL groups with being the side with the lowest co-efficient to progress from qr1 to groups. So it both backs your point that you cant always use a low co-efficient as a gauge, but also that Rovers should be targeting wins in genuine belief that they an pick up points.Zenit were 2/32, AZ 9/32 and Dundalk 32/32 in 2016. Some difficult group at time.
Rovers are 22/32. Djurgs are 29/32. Coefficients and rankings aren't the full story granted.
A good fixture draw for Rovers could be to have Gent and Molde away in the second half of the fixtures, considering their poor away form against higher ranked opponents. Dundalk notably started the group with a 1-1 draw away to AZ. A Rovers result like that would be massive.
Bradley has been talking the talk of targeting the knockout stage, sensibly saying it before the draw.
Many have seen the group stage as an achievable target. Pot 3 was a good reflection of recent European form. Just as group stage was seen as achievable, 3rd should be seen as achievable too, while accepting the difficulty. Rovers have a good opportunity to set a new high bar for achievement.
The composition of the group is an interesting one. Offers potential while being fraught with danger. Something LoI sides are familiar with from qualifying rounds. Rovers 4 European ties so far have them well versed going into the group stage. Previous group stage qualification led to more difficult challenges. Rovers draw today is resulting in a similar enough challenge to what they've come up against already.

[ger121]

Djurgarden at home first and then away to Gent.

[legendz]

Djurgarden home, Gent away, Molde away, Molde home, Gent home and Djurgarden away.

[sbgawa]

Delighted with a home match to start, dont think it mattered to much which team all look strong
the mindset for these games is going to be different both home and away.
They are 90 minute matches with points at stake so no "keeping the tie alive" stuff, not that we were that good at that away from home :D
In fairness to the team at least they wont be playing in an oven playing in Northern Europe so we can play more our normal game hopefully.

[paul_oshea]

Best possible start for them. If they did get out of the group's how would they sort getting match fit and ready for the playoff with EL third placed team? It would be a very long season

[legendz]

They are 90 minute matches with points at stake so no "keeping the tie alive" stuff, not that we were that good at that away from home :D
Rovers will be going from "keeping the tie alive" to keeping the match alive! They were 2-0 down away to both Ludogorets and Ferencváros at half time.
There will be a high probability of Rovers going a goal down away to Gent and Molde in the opening halves. The challenge for the Rovers management and players in those match situations is to stay in the game.

[sparky12345678]

Best possible start for them. If they did get out of the group's how would they sort getting match fit and ready for the playoff with EL third placed team? It would be a very long season


This prospect also creates an interesting dilema. It was all well and good for these qualifying stages to be match fit/fresh and motivated but if group stage football becomes a "regular" expectation then they are in the group stages at the business end of the season with tired legs etc (this was also a problem for Dundalk I feel in 2016).

[sbgawa]

Season finished by 10th November latest if we were in the cup final so break until early Jan and have over a month to get ready for the play off in mid Feb. Effectively it will be the start of the following season if it happens.

[pineapple stu]

Rovers in another Euro draw tomorrow - the UEFA Youth League.

Coleraine are in it this year, the first ever NI team. They're the lowest seeds, and benefit from Russia being banned.

No pots as yet, but probably something like AZ, Genk, Hibs, Molde, AIK, Racing Union, Coleraine and Rovers.

[Longfordian]

This prospect also creates an interesting dilema. It was all well and good for these qualifying stages to be match fit/fresh and motivated but if group stage football becomes a "regular" expectation then they are in the group stages at the business end of the season with tired legs etc (this was also a problem for Dundalk I feel in 2016).

If Rovers, or someone else, qualifies on a regular basis they can (in theory) assemble a very deep squad so they can rotate players in the league. The danger would be that they blow the cash on no hopers like Dundalk did.

[Nesta99]

If Rovers, or someone else, qualifies on a regular basis they can (in theory) assemble a very deep squad so they can rotate players in the league. The danger would be that they blow the cash on no hopers like Dundalk did.

I resent you bringing that up!!

[legendz]

If Rovers, or someone else, qualifies on a regular basis they can (in theory) assemble a very deep squad so they can rotate players in the league. The danger would be that they blow the cash on no hopers like Dundalk did.There seems to be healthy competition for European places at the moment. Dundalk and Bohs did well in Europe last year but missed out this year. Pats and Sligo did well this year but only one might get back into Europe.
Rovers, Derry, Dundalk, Pat's, Sligo and Bohs will go into next season with realistic European ambitions. Cork, Galway and Waterford will want to join the Euro race. Interesting times.

[Asterix]

AZ Alkmaar for Rovers in uefa youth league. First leg on the 14th September second leg in Tallaght on the 5th of October.

[Philosophizer]

Tickets for Rovers europa conference home matches on general sale there this morn.

[placid casual]

Interesting that they are being sold in blocks. 3 games for €75.
Alternative is €30 a ticket- would that put off any walk ups or neutrals?
Not an issue for me, obviously, as I'd gladly pay a kings ransom to see the most successful football club in Ireland play in a beautiful stadium.

[sbgawa]

I think the 3 match thing is a good idea tbh it means Rovers fans will buy the tickets for all 3 matches and get looked after first as i presume its expected to sell out and neutrals are unlikely to buy a 3 match bundle.
Saw a Rovers fan tweeting that last night and "said" the ticket office told him individual match tickets will go on sale next Monday/Tuesday is any left.

Some people whinging about the ticket price of €30 when the club are spending a fortune getting Tallaght ready (Marquees etc) having turned down the option of going to the Aviva, you really cant please some people. Same people paying 70+ euro to watch a ****e IReland team in the Aviva

Edit: They arent on general sale at the moment you have to be in the database of people who have bought a ticket off Rovers in the past to buy a ticket at least thats what i assume as you have to put in your email address and it doesn't work if they don't recognise your email.
So the order was Members / Season ticket holders / People who have attended games before / general Sale.
have to compliment the club here it means LOI supporters who've attended Tallaght before are ahead of people who decide to go to a game having never been before. I assume the general sale of individual tickets will be when its available to everyone.

[Philosophizer]

30 is a fair price I think for Europa group stages.
There will always be a few who complain. And isn't there category 2 tickets for 25? Behind the goal presumably?

[passinginterest]

I got the 3 game pack this morning, thought it was a pretty reasonable price for Euro games.

[ger121]

Interesting that they are being sold in blocks. 3 games for €75.
Alternative is €30 a ticket- would that put off any walk ups or neutrals?
Not an issue for me, obviously, as I'd gladly pay a kings ransom to see the most successful football club in Ireland play in a beautiful stadium.

Linfield?

[oriel]

There seems to be healthy competition for European places at the moment. Dundalk and Bohs did well in Europe last year but missed out this year. Pats and Sligo did well this year but only one might get back into Europe.
Rovers, Derry, Dundalk, Pat's, Sligo and Bohs will go into next season with realistic European ambitions. Cork, Galway and Waterford will want to join the Euro race. Interesting times.

It was the sole highlight of a car crash year while p6 were on their way out, 3 wins and the away 2-2 draw v Vitesse which we should have won had p6 not recruited a GK that never played GK at pro level before.

[Nesta99]

Interesting that they are being sold in blocks. 3 games for €75.
Alternative is €30 a ticket- would that put off any walk ups or neutrals?
Not an issue for me, obviously, as I'd gladly pay a kings ransom to see the most successful football club in Ireland play in a beautiful stadium.

Take it handy now PC, Tallaght is more Plane Jane or Shane than a thing of beauty! Say that to some of ECL visitors and you could sound a bit mad!

I'd be ok with €30 for group stage football, but i'm already a LoI follower that doesnt need converting, i'd say most neutrals would be ok with it too. €25 probably would seem significantly better value for walk ups, even if the difference wouldnt buy a beer. €75 for the block of tickets is grand and it helps cater for the regular Rovers support. It could have been an opportunity for a publicity push to hold the price down with all the furore over inflation/energy crunch, go for the full community club hearing the concerns and with the games already going to be higher profile for media coverage, it could have been if big platform to do it from. Maybe Rovers need the money....

[Philosophizer]

Not an issue for me, obviously, as I'd gladly pay a kings ransom to see the most successful football club in Ireland play in a beautiful stadium.
Beautiful is a bit OTT. It's a normal stadium. It's just that most of our other stadia are total dumps.

[sbgawa]

Beautiful is a bit OTT. It's a normal stadium. It's just that most of our other stadia are total dumps.

In the kingdom of the blind the one eyed man is king

[Philosophizer]

In the kingdom of the blind the one eyed man is king
It's easily the best stadium in the league - no doubt about it. But beautiful it is not!
I was in Paris last week and saw the Stade Francais rugby ground. Now THAT is a genuinely beautiful stadium.

[sbgawa]

Ah i agree with you its not the most beautiful at all i just love that phrase about the kingdom of the blind.

My favourite ground in the league (outside of Tallaght) is Inchicore (with the roof on a bit of the away section)
I love the fact you are right on the pitch almost as well as the sheer random madness of every side being completely different

[TonyD]

Ah i agree with you its not the most beautiful at all i just love that phrase about the kingdom of the blind.

My favourite ground in the league (outside of Tallaght) is Inchicore (with the roof on a bit of the away section)
I love the fact you are right on the pitch almost as well as the sheer random madness of every side being completely different

The roof is gone. I came across a Pats/Rovers game on YouTube recently, from the late 80’s, at Richmond. My god, If you think LOI grounds are bad now ........... plus the pitch was an absolute muck heap. At least that’s one thing that has improved. Most pitches are decent now I think. No doubt summer football has played its part in that.

[sbgawa]

I know it's gone I just meant I preferred it when it was there. It was another bit of randomness that it only covered part of the end

[Straightstory]

Rovers are only selling 3 match packages on their website. Anyone know when/ if matches for individual games will become available?

[sbgawa]

Rovers are only selling 3 match packages on their website. Anyone know when/ if matches for individual games will become available?
Monday I've heard

[Philosophizer]

On a similar note, any idea when away tickets for the Gent match will become available? It's going to be my 1st ever European LOI away game.

[placid casual]

The most important part of tallaght is the pitch and its beautiful. Ask any players who play on it for proof.
Its also significantly better managed than an other pitch in Ireland, including landsdowne Rd.