LOI in Europe 2023

[EatYerGreens]

Suppose it is really, but then again LOI tv is €7, probably more overheads. However just saw Pats away in Lux is costing €27 match ticket (at the game) most seats - that's just mental. FAI Cup Final premium was €25-30.

Our game in Sunny Gibraltar (match ticket) cost a very fair GBP10.00, now that's good value.

Presumably Luxembourg is expensive for everything?

[HarveyHD]

If you skip towards the end of the most recent Between the Stripes LOI podcast there's a full European preview segment. Link here: https://betweenthestripes.net/bts-2023/s7ep21-with-beineon-obrien-whitmarsh/

Am I the only one missing a rewind option? I wanted to skip to the end to listen, but there is only a Play button.

[texidub]

Apart from the international team, tracking the LOI teams in Europe is far and away me favourite part of the season. Barely watch any other football, so the season really starts tonight.

Pats (best one-off performances) and Rovers did well last year, though Rovers understandably faded a bit.. Watched the bohs rovers game a few weeks ago and while it was an exciting match and scoreline, there was a lot of sloppiness, so not too many experienced European sides would be scared at the prospect of playing against the current Rovers team. I hope I'm wrong and the Icelanders get lashed out of it, but even if Jack is back, tonight is shaping up to be a proper test.

[pineapple stu]

Suppose it is really, but then again LOI tv is €7, probably more overheads. However just saw Pats away in Lux is costing €27 match ticket (at the game) most seats - that's just mental. FAI Cup Final premium was €25-30.
Pat's tickets sold out I believe; club saying to buy at the gate but don't wear colours if you haven't got a ticket yet.

Which seems a bit daft cos I know when we played there, there was a bigger crowd in the Bowl than in Dudelange. I'm sure it's far from a sell-out overall.

[outspoken]

Am I the only one missing a rewind option? I wanted to skip to the end to listen, but there is only a Play button.

There's definitely a wee toggle there you can drag forwards and backwards, if you've got Spotify, apple, Google podcasts or Amazon music there's a direct link on the site to those platforms as well.

[nr637]

Hopefully… Main and South stands are sold out

That would be around 5,000 so far! :rolleyes:

[nigel-harps1954]

That would be around 5,000 so far! :rolleyes:

Rovers announced it was 6,250 yesterday. Presumably looking at over 7,000 there tonight.

[nigel-harps1954]

HB Tórshavn said they'll have a stream, but haven't given the details yet.

Live on LOITV on Thursday for €10

[pineapple stu]

May as well introduce the aul coefficient into things!

We ended last season in 36th, but with 2018/19 now dropping off, we're up to 32nd before a ball is kicked.

It's probably going to be hard to rise further than that this year though. Liechtenstein are 0.125 above us - if Vaduz, who made the group stages last year, have another good year, then they'll fly up the rankings as there's only one Liechtenstein club. They play Neman Grodno of Belarus - they've never won a match in Europe (or even scored an away goal), and lost to an Icelandic side on their last appearance 8 years ago.

Then Moldova are 1.75 points ahead; they've outscored us the last two years so are in good form. Sheriff have a tough tie in the Champions League though, against the Romanian champions Farul Constanta. In the Conference League first round they have sides from San Marino, Lithuania - and a bye into the second round, which will help us of course.

Then Azerbaijan are next, 4.875 ahead of us. Not a chance of catching up there.

Looking behind us, Finland and Slovenia are on the exact same score as us, Latvia are 0.375 behind, Kosovo - who are improving - are 0.834 behind, and then we've a full point over Armenia and Kazakhstan.

So probably looking at ending the year in the 30-34 rank? But next season (when our 36th rank kicks in) our Cup winners will be getting a bye in the first round and that'll allow other countries catch up. We're ranked 40th for this season, which is the highest point at which all three Conference League teams start in the first round.

[EalingGreen]

Presumably Luxembourg is expensive for everything?As I recall, not insanely expensive eg Norway-style, but certainly not cheap either.

I've heard that a lot of EU workers choose to live in Germany, Belgium or other neighbouring countries and commute in daily. I assume that cost-of-living in Luxy is a factor.

[brendy_éire]

However just saw Pats away in Lux is costing €27 match ticket (at the game) most seats - that's just mental. FAI Cup Final premium was €25-30

We only got charged €20 for the Ireland away match there a couple of years back, big difference there.

HB Tórshavn charged roughly €15 for our match. We're charging £25 for the home one, again. Price hasn't gone up in five years, is one way of looking at that.

[EatYerGreens]

We only got charged €20 for the Ireland away match there a couple of years back, big difference there.

HB Tórshavn charged roughly €15 for our match. We're charging £25 for the home one, again. Price hasn't gone up in five years, is one way of looking at that.

£25 still feels high now. Back in the before-times when Covid, war and rampant inflation were all just a fever dream, it must have seemed insansely high.

[kksaints]

As I recall, not insanely expensive eg Norway-style, but certainly not cheap either.

I've heard that a lot of EU workers choose to live in Germany, Belgium or other neighbouring countries and commute in daily. I assume that cost-of-living in Luxy is a factor.

It's not that cheap alright although it's similar enough to Ireland really. Main course in the average restaurant is around €25-30 in the places I've seen. Drink is around €5 for the local beer.

[pateen]

Apart from the international team, tracking the LOI teams in Europe is far and away me favourite part of the season. Barely watch any other football, so the season really starts tonight.

Pats (best one-off performances) and Rovers did well last year, though Rovers understandably faded a bit.. Watched the bohs rovers game a few weeks ago and while it was an exciting match and scoreline, there was a lot of sloppiness, so not too many experienced European sides would be scared at the prospect of playing against the current Rovers team. I hope I'm wrong and the Icelanders get lashed out of it, but even if Jack is back, tonight is shaping up to be a proper test.

Sligo did very well as last year. Can't remember Pat's results but yeah love watching these games

[DCWA]

£25 still feels high now. Back in the before-times when Covid, war and rampant inflation were all just a fever dream, it must have seemed insansely high.

It was insanely high back then when our club had a reputation for gross misjudgements on all things supporter related (this is a reputation they have not shaken but that’s a different matter) however they weathered the storm on the £25 Euro tickets so would be little logic in reducing it now when it’s up to £17 per league match ticket anyway. £25 to watch Derry v a team from the the Faroes is of course still expensive in the grand scheme of things.

[pineapple stu]

Lincoln of Gibraltar 1-0 up on Qarabag at halftime

Dundalk can't take the pub team too lightly on Thursday I think

[Jack B]

Pats have secured streaming rights to the game tomorrow, it'll be on LOI TV. Seems like that's an impressive feat to manage with these lot.

[ger121]

Lincoln of Gibraltar 1-0 up on Qarabag at halftime

Dundalk can't take the pub team too lightly on Thursday I think

2-1 down now. Conceded in 94th minute. Think there is a gulf in class between the Red Imps and the rest of the teams in that league.

[dundalkfc10]

Pats have secured streaming rights to the game tomorrow, it'll be on LOI TV. Seems like that's an impressive feat to manage with these lot.

https://twitter.com/stpatsfc/status/1678811423734890506?t=64U2k8601fRy3Zrr-HcNZQ&s=19

€10 on Loi TV but free on St Pats app? That's a typo surely

[pineapple stu]

2-1 down now. Conceded in 94th minute. Think there is a gulf in class between the Red Imps and the rest of the teams in that league.
Big gap, yeah. But a big gap between Qarabag and Dundalk too. I'd say Dundalk would be happy with a repeat of that on Thursday tbh.

Rovers team is in - Mannus on the bench, but Byrne starts

[texidub]

Nervous enough opening 10 from Rovers. Real scramble after a corner to keep the Icelandics out.

[Nesta99]

Any streams. In the sticks abroad and vpn just not working...

[pineapple stu]

It's on LOITV

[Nesta99]

Ha never even thought of it...old assumptions. I did manage to find another source. Rovers not looking much like the home side at the moment. I think it will be the old story of keeping in ties and playing in to a sort of European intensity/form especially when its not been got domestically. Its still early though.

[sbgawa]

Only a matter of time until the Icelandic team score unless rovers wake the fu k up. Could be 2 or 3 down

[swinfordfc]

Rovers are wide open down their right side and it's only a matter of time before they concede. Iceland team a better side by a distance.

[texidub]

Rovers had a couple of good chances., Icelandics definitely have the edge and look more like scoring. They've had a load of corners in the 1st 35 mins

[pateen]

I knew Rovers been firm favourites was nonsense. These lads can play a bit

[pineapple stu]

9 corners to 0 is a mad stat

[pineapple stu]

What a strike that was

They've been nicely creative with their setpieces too. Impressive stuff

[pateen]

Brutal, Great goal

[ger121]

They are chasing ghosts here. Can’t even win a 50/50 and the high press from the Icelandic side is causing chaos with trying to play out from the back.

[Philosophizer]

Oof Rovers will do very very well to get out of this tie. The Icelanders are all over them. Not a good advertisement for our champs.

[joey B]

Rovers have been diabolical,well deserved lead….

[Guitd]

Brutal stuff from rovers
Lopes looks totally lost keeps giving the ball away

[MichaelCherrito]

Best thing that could have probably happened.

They will hopefully sit back a bit and allow Rovers more time on the ball.

[SPXcyan]

Comfortable for the Icelandic champions ey, damn! brutal watch.

[DCWA]

Big gulf in class here, in Breidablik’s favour obviously.

[Dermobohs]

Shams not playing anywhere near their form.
Byrne Kavanagh lopes watts Finn all poor, no way should Jack byrne be out there, he’s nowhere near fit, was sweating like a dog in a Korean market after 5 minutes.
Polls and cleary the difference between 1-0 and 4-0 atm. Big job now for Bradley he needs pace out wide and a bit of help for O’Neill in the middle.

[brendy_éire]

£25 still feels high now. Back in the before-times when Covid, war and rampant inflation were all just a fever dream, it must have seemed insansely high.

It did. Less than 1k at the Dinamo Minsk match that year.

[Jack B]

Breidablik look a well-coached side more so than another level in terms of ability of physicality. They have their drilled patterns of play that keep finding space for themselves in dangerous spots, know how to press etc. Rovers will need to wake up sharpish.

[Nesta99]

They dont look like coughing up too much even if Rovers were on song. Ball over the top to Gaffney is the only possibility on that 45 and they will be wise to that now. Didnt like how static Rovers were for that last free, some arguing between players and then a cross field punt shadowed out for a throw in. Bit bleak so far, but a rollicking at HT, move the ball a bit quicker, use Byrne as a bit of a decoy as he looks to be the only one really wanting the ball, try and break the high press. Breidablik already lookig the fitter side and covering a lot of ground again maybe late on they could run out of steam and Rovers can have a go but.....

[CSAD]

Why is anyone surprised, this is the typical abysmal performance that Rovers dish out annually only this season they have managed to hit a new low if that was even possible. But the usual suspects will deflect and pretend these lads Rovers are playing are good (they really aren't, there's a reason they have to go through pre qualifying) and claim its okay if Rovers embarrass themselves year in year out in Europe because they've won the cup and league again, absolutely no ambition and absolutely no ability to deal with adversity, happy to just win a league and cup every year that they ought to be winning given how big a club they are and the amount of resources they have but as soon they play in Europe and they actually have to dig deep they get exposed. Lets be honest, who's surprised Rovers havent shown up tonight? The only surprise for me is just how bad they actually have been.

[CSAD]

Breidablik look a well-coached side more so than another level in terms of ability of physicality. They have their drilled patterns of play that keep finding space for themselves in dangerous spots, know how to press etc. Rovers will need to wake up sharpish.

And Rovers as per usual look the exact opposite.

[ger121]

When you think Rovers are normally very strong at home, that was a battering. Could have been 2 or 3 down at H/T. Good side Breidablik but confirmation that this Rovers team is in decline.

[pineapple stu]

When you think Rovers are normally very strong at home, that was a battering.
Good point actually. I mean, everyone will have a home advantage but Rovers looked very poor in Bulgaria and Hungary last year, but then won at home (albeit dead legs). Ditto two points at home in the groups but nothing away from home. Fairly big difference between home and away form

Big 45 coming up here.

[pineapple stu]

VAR in effect here apparently?

First time at an LoI ground? Not sure how that'd work at some of the smaller grounds you see in Europe?

[pineapple stu]

Game in Malta is currently suspended - Hamrun Spartans v Maccabi Haifa. Israelis throwing flares about and have burned the pitch and some of the seats I think. They'd 2-0 up but would probably lose 3-0 if it's abandoned

Edit - back underway after a delay of I think 40 minutes or so

[MeathDrog]

We hear a lot about Rovers' superior training facilities and conditioning, and yet they are getting outmuscled all over the pitch here.

[pineapple stu]

Rovers much better this half though without really threatening.

Breidablik seem to be tiring