LOI In Europe 2025

[Acornvilla]

I did not expect them to be winning at any stage in the tie, lovely stuff!

[geysir]

Any free links available?
You need an active adblocker for this link (https://livetv.sx/enx/eventinfo/290931477_rijeka_shelbourne/#webplayer_alieztv|239729|290931477|2786726|900|1| en), good quality but Croat commentary,

[2 Year Contract]

Great header by Martin for that goal. The home crowd sound like they’re ready to lambaste their team if it stays this way!

[2 Year Contract]

You need an active adblocker for this link (https://livetv.sx/enx/eventinfo/290931477_rijeka_shelbourne/#webplayer_alieztv|239729|290931477|2786726|900|1| en), good quality but Croat commentary,
Watching with the Croat commentary myself and the first thing I’ve recognised all night is the commentators just now mentioning Rijeka getting knocked out of Europe by Pats in 2002 so the nerves certainly seem to be setting in already for them!

[pineapple stu]

Great header by Martin for that goal. The home crowd sound like they’re ready to lambaste their team if it stays this way!
Imagine ending Dinamo Zagreb's seven-year league winning run, have hopes of emulating their 11 Champions League points last year - and then you lose to Shels in the Europa...

[ger121]

Was it Copa 90 who did the documentary on Croatian football. It would make the LOI look like the the PL.

[Acornvilla]

Imagine ending Dinamo Zagreb's seven-year league winning run, have hopes of emulating their 11 Champions League points last year - and then you lose to Shels in the Europa...
My thoughts on them, similar to Shels themselves and the likes of Linfield too are that they probably wouldn't have won the league had the previous champions not gone deeper in Europe than expected themselves or had so many games to navigate, like the 8 in CL groups plus qualifying for Zagreb. All these extra European games are a lot to manage. I still thought Shels would lose but I wasn't necessarily expecting them to be super strong either.

[placid casual]

For all their possession Rielka have looked poor up front and only scored because of a brain fart by the shels keeper ( who otherwise looks impressive tbh). The shels fans in the cage behind the goal will be having a great night anyway but might want to watch themselves on the way out.....

[sbgawa]

Joey with the midas touch

[geysir]

Watching with the Croat commentary myself and the first thing I’ve recognised all night is the commentators just now mentioning Rijeka getting knocked out of Europe by Pats in 2002 so the nerves certainly seem to be setting in already for them! I'm impressed with your linguistic proficiency.

[ger121]

My thoughts on them, similar to Shels themselves and the likes of Linfield too are that they probably wouldn't have won the league had the previous champions not have gone deep in Europe themselves and had so many games to navigate. All these extra European games are a lot to manage. I still thought Shels would lose but I wasn't necessarily expecting them to be super strong either.

If you look at a good few leagues around Europe, you’ll see the same. Teams doing well in Europe but then not winning the league.

[ger121]

For all their possession Rielka have looked poor up front and only scored because of a brain fart by the shels keeper ( who otherwise looks impressive tbh). The shels fans in the cage behind the goal will be having a great night anyway but might want to watch themselves on the way out.....

I did say they were not up to much in the 2 legs against Ludogorets. Dodgy from corners and crosses.

[pineapple stu]

If you look at a good few leagues around Europe, you’ll see the same. Teams doing well in Europe but then not winning the league.
Which of course is why Shels are in the place they're in in the first place too

[SPXcyan]

We're as good as Iceland! what a result that!

[cob655]

Much appreciated, got the last 10 minutes in after spending the whole second half looking for a link. 👍🏻 Great result

[Philosophizer]

What a result and performance from Shels. Rijeka probably still favourites to go through but the second leg is set up perfectly. And to think, it would have been a 2-0 lead taken home to Dublin without the keeper brainfart.

[ger121]

Even if they still don’t go through to the EL PO round, you have to think the level they’ve been playing at recently will be too much for Linfield or Vikingur.

Rijeka to hate the tight pitch in Tolka, revert to kicking lumps out of Shels, go down to 10 and the game to finish 1-1.

[yurt]

What a result that is. The second goal was deadly. Inch perfect cross but Martin had so much to do with the finish, you see chances like those fluffed more often than not.

I'm surprised with how little Rijeka threatened down the stretch. I'm not even sure if Shels are favourites to progress at this stage? It's a shame the reward for winning a tie like this isn't a bigger one than PAOK or Wolfsberger, I reckon most of LOI in Europe fans have little interest in watching POAK again for the third time in 5 years.

[ger121]

What a result and performance from Shels. Rijeka probably still favourites to go through but the second leg is set up perfectly. And to think, it would have been a 2-0 lead taken home to Dublin without the keeper brainfart.

He made some good saves though.

[geysir]

What a result and performance from Shels. Rijeka probably still favourites to go through but the second leg is set up perfectly. And to think, it would have been a 2-0 lead taken home to Dublin without the keeper brainfart.Would Shels have scored their first had the penalty not been scored?

Shels had mettle in abundance tonight, a brilliant result and performance.

[geysir]

For all their possession Rielka have looked poor up front and only scored because of a brain fart by the shels keeper ( who otherwise looks impressive tbh). The shels fans in the cage behind the goal will be having a great night anyway but might want to watch themselves on the way out..... Like in the Blues Brothers, the cage was to protect the away fans from missiles etc.

[total hoofball]

Unbelievable result, there have been alot of proud Shels performances I've seen over the years but that is definitely punching very near to the top

Tuesday night at Tolka is going to be a blockbuster, RTÉ better pull their finger out and show it live

Bohs may be thinking themselves great news that Shels will be distracted/fatigued on Saturday but I think the opposite, huge positive momentum with ourselves and I don't think we had to run ourselves into the ground tonight to beat Rijeka or on Saturday night in Sligo

[sbgawa]

Shels can make groups with a home draw next week.....long shot for rovers but we have a chance of two irish clubs in groups...

[Nesta99]

The FAI target on league ranking doesnt look just so difficult currently. My reservations on the Conference League with exclusions from EL, were unfounded and have given LoI a chance to build. Now Shels, serious hard work away done so finish the job! Two teams in groups and you will see growing interest and inward investment in the league spike again.

[geysir]

Afair, Shels were 12 or 14/1 to win this game and the Croats the shortest of odds on to win.

[Nesta99]

Afair, Shels were 12 or 14/1 to win this game and the Croats the shortest of odds on to win.

Whomever put their weeks wages on a long odds Shels win a tie too early must be pished!

[MeathDrog]

Afair, Shels were 12 or 14/1 to win this game and the Croats the shortest of odds on to win.

33/1 after they conceded the penalty.

[2 Year Contract]

I'm impressed with your linguistic proficiency.
To be fair it was just ‘Rijeka, St Patrick's Athletic, Intertoto Cup' and what sounded like a year (2002) were there words used a few times in the conversation so it’s safe to assume that’s what they were talking about anyways :)

[outspoken]

Didn't realize second leg is actually in Tolka. Have uefa relaxed stadium requirements slightly in last few seasons or what?

[yurt]

Maybe I'm missing an obvious example but when was there a more impressive away win than this by an LOI club? Rovers have been particularly bad away from home from what I remember in their recent Euro runs, we're most of Dundalks wins all at home too in their big ties?

[sbgawa]

Partizan Belgrade was pretty huge and more directly meaningful tbf but this by Shels is right up there

[Kiki Balboa]

Dundalk beat Hadjuk Split away 2-1, having lost the 1st leg 2-0. Probably at that point, I knew that Kennys Dundalk was on the verge of something special.

....

Fantastic job by Shels, but before getting carrying away, it really depends on the result on Tuesday to say if it is one of the best nights in LOI.

[pineapple stu]

The Croatian league is ranked 21st in Europe - the last time an LoI side won away to a league ranked so highly was...last year, when Rovers beat Molde 1-0 away.

Sligo beat Motherwell in 2022, and then you're going back to Dundalk v Hajduk (as mentioned), Rovers v Bnei Yehuda in 2010 and so on

The Serbian league was ranked 27th when Rovers beat Partizan

[2 Year Contract]

Didn't realize second leg is actually in Tolka. Have uefa relaxed stadium requirements slightly in last few seasons or what?
Rijeka aren’t allowed any fans at the game due to causing trouble last year. Apparently the lack of away fans is a factor in Tolka being let host it

[2 Year Contract]

The Croatian league is ranked 21st in Europe - the last time an LoI side won away to a league ranked so highly was...last year, when Rovers beat Molde 1-0 away.

Sligo beat Motherwell in 2022, and then you're going back to Dundalk v Hajduk (as mentioned), Rovers v Bnei Yehuda in 2010 and so on

The Serbian league was ranked 27th when Rovers beat Partizan

Pats 3-2 loss away to Krylia Sovetov in 2009 (2-0 win on away goals having beaten them 1-0 in Inchicore) when the Russian league was ranked 6th in Europe is worth a mention. Although not an away win on the night, a result to send them through in what was probably the biggest giant killing the league has seen over two legs in qualifying based on league rankings anyways.

Bohs beating Kaiserslautern 1-0 away in 2000 (losing 3-2 on aggregate) was another great result

[nr637]

Rijeka aren’t allowed any fans at the game due to causing trouble last year. Apparently the lack of away fans is a factor in Tolka being let host it

There is bound to be some Croatia fans living in Dublin who will find a way to get tickets and support Rijeka!

[Another Bohemia]

Bohs beating Kaiserslautern 1-0 away in 2000 (losing 3-2 on aggregate) was another great result

For Bohs there's also the win in 1-2 Aberdeen in 2000. More recently beating PAOK in the Aviva 2-1 only to lose the away leg 2-0 and get knocked out (Wardy missed a sitter for us over there as well). I'm hoping that the recent up tick in results like last night isn't a phase and is gradual growth from the league on the European stage.

Nights like last night becoming more commonplace will only help the league become more marketable to sponsors which should in turn lead to an increase in domestic prize money. I do hope any clubs that get a good euro run don't splurge it all on first team wages and do invest in their academics & facilities.

[nr637]

Great goal by Martin, heading the ball back in the direction where the ball was crossed from. Great cross too!

Results like that make you realise what a wonderful product we have with our LOI. The fans are turning up in great numbers, what we need now is the investment to bring the league up another level!

[Nesta99]

For Bohs there's also the win in 1-2 Aberdeen in 2000. More recently beating PAOK in the Aviva 2-1 only to lose the away leg 2-0 and get knocked out (Wardy missed a sitter for us over there as well). I'm hoping that the recent up tick in results like last night isn't a phase and is gradual growth from the league on the European stage.

Nights like last night becoming more commonplace will only help the league become more marketable to sponsors which should in turn lead to an increase in domestic prize money. I do hope any clubs that get a good euro run don't splurge it all on first team wages and do invest in their academics & facilities.

I think its a gradual up trend (champions pathway parachute a big help), there will be dips of course but in general there's a sense of not totally writing off a possible win. I know it was a preseason Linfield but Shels technical ability everywhere bar up top was made for Europe and especially in hot weather. They can keep ball and play one touch out of tight spaces. My worry was that that might have been becasue they had space with Linfield not able to close or cut off space. But they showed up agaisnt a better side, their game in the last round probably helped them get up to speed, they didnt fold when going behind and took chances when they came. It was a pretty complete performance and had all the elements that we moan about when we leave games behind. Its half done yeah but there is a good chance and Shels have shown that they can get it across the line imo.

[pateen]

Anyone have a link to the highlights?

[nr637]

Anyone have a link to the highlights?
On Youtube with Croatia TV.

[brendy_�ire]

Anyone have a link to the highlights?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jl54buHAdnc

[Nesta99]

I had missed that 2nd penalty that nobody shouted for. VAR moment???

[Nesta99]

Some funny comments on the youtube vid, I liked this one and hope thats what the general expectation is - 'While (our) football players shave their legs, car mechanics from Ireland show their balls and win'

This one is just an interesting one-

'Every year the same.. Sell everything that is worth a little and then patch it up with some freebies.. So sell the club when you can't finance the club for a single year without selling everything.. Every 6 months a new team.. They can't wait for the winter and summer transfer window to sell. A trading company, not a club'.

Just cause it mentions Dundalk....

'If we exclude Dinamo as the biggest club in Croatia in terms of results in Europe, Irish clubs have much more success than the rest of us in the last 10 seasons combined. From Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, Cork City... with double and triple the budget'.

[Acornvilla]

I think its a gradual up trend (champions pathway parachute a big help), there will be dips of course but in general there's a sense of not totally writing off a possible win. I know it was a preseason Linfield but Shels technical ability everywhere bar up top was made for Europe and especially in hot weather. They can keep ball and play one touch out of tight spaces. My worry was that that might have been because they had space with Linfield not able to close or cut off space. But they showed up against a better side, their game in the last round probably helped them get up to speed, they didn't fold when going behind and took chances when they came. It was a pretty complete performance and had all the elements that we moan about when we leave games behind. Its half done yeah but there is a good chance and Shels have shown that they can get it across the line imo.


Outside of the champions having a couple bites at it, and being able to have a few games/weeks to get up to speed with the level, I think the ECL has been huge in giving every club games at a level they can compete in and improve over time. Pat's are the obvious non champion benefactor over the last few years, and have become very consistent at winning the ties they should. Bohs looked like they could go that way too a few years ago but the team was taken apart, they might be on the cusp of getting back there. Off and on the field they're at the strongest point they have been in decades, navigating the stadium redevelopment will be crucial. Derry can be anything they want to be. We have a lot of clubs with huge untapped potential, (Hello Cork) even if the Dublin clubs will always have natural advantages that are extremely difficult for everyone else to compete with.

I think we largely have a generation of players now who go in to these games with little fear and want to emulate what they've seen Rovers and Dundalk do. Being at a level where all 4 teams are getting seeded in Rnd 1's and consistently winning 90% of those ties would be my hope for the future, with a lot of clubs being well able to recrate what Pat's have shown, most Irish clubs being regularly seeded and/or winning in ECL rnd 2 is possible too. There will be plenty of teams from every small league establishing themselves as regulars in the 2nd/3rd rnd and there's no reason that we can't be part of that. We'll always need huge luck to get anyone outside of the champion in to the groups, but I am cautiously optimistic it's far from impossible any more.

I love the champions route and the ECL, I think it's great teams from the Faroes and everywhere else have a chance to get a club in to a group stage, it could have really positive knock on effects for minnow national teams in the medium term.

The obvious glaring issue is with the money being so huge, and with Rovers already having a very strong structure off the field, we are in serious danger of them completely running away with the thing and creating a gap between themselves and everyone else that could take a decade to bridge, for that alone I think the league really need Shels to make the groups this time out. If Rovers are regularly making groups, I do still think they will have the odd season where they wobble, the fixture congestion will always be an issue for clubs at our level, it will be very interesting to see if Shels can maintain any momentum this season if they make it. Someone else will need to be ready to take their chance when it comes, but we have a pretty solid group of clubs outside of Rovers who can put a strong challenge together over the next few years.

Even for Shels, they're raw a European level, but including last season they've played 9 European games in about 12 months, a decade ago they would have been unseeded last year, gone out in rnd one, probably had the same happen to them again this year and that would be that. They're building a lot of experience and momentum that wasn't really possible previously, and it is lovely to see they surprised us all yesterday with such an accomplished performance. Even if they don't see out the 2nd leg, I would be very confident they will play with far more confidence and conviction in the Playoff.

[Nesta99]

Until Rovers academy becomes an absolute conveyor belt of talent I dont think LoI will become a 1 team league. Whether Rovers fans like it of not, recent dominance has been partly to to with how rubbish other clubs have been and not put in a challange when they should, not looking at anyone specific like Derry....or Dundalk's self inflicted wounds. (im not taking away from 4 in a row, you beat whats in front of you but it was done at a canter and not consistantly blowing teams away as they should).

Maybe its wishful thinking not having one side dominate ala Scotland, unless its Dundalk of course, but I just think money only goes so far tbh, great to have, but attracting better players in is still an ask. I do ultimately believe in the rising tide adage, and its less an arms race or as financially attritonal today compared to the past. There are a number of clubs that could put together title challange sides financially at least (Dundalk are nowhere in that bracket and wont be without significant outside investment again as divisive as it might be - without all the inside detail pushing P6 was plan a with no viable plan b). From Galway, Derry, St Pats, Bohs, maybe Shels now that they'll plug some financial holes with Europe, Drogs even, theres enough there to keep it a real challange to win the league. That may be be Rovers regularly but they will have to be on song all the time.

[sbgawa]

It never happens that teams dominate for ever , it just feels like it.
When we won 4 in a row in the early/ mid 80's people couldnt see us losing again and if you has said we would win 1 title and be relegated in the next 25 years people would have sent you to the loony bin.
Man United in 2012 had won 13 totles in 20 years and are now winless in 13 and not looking likely.
Lyon won around 10 French leagues in a row an are nowhere now..............to cross codes its not that long since people were saying we should split the Dublin GAA footballers into two teams North and South or no one would ever win the All IReland again, not mention a friend of mine in Kilkenny who told me back in the day he was missing an All Ireland Final as he was sick but "sure ill be better for next years final"

All that being said ill enjoy it while it lasts but losing the league last year will probably cost us group stages this year so there is no money piling up yet

[joey B]

RTE won’t be showing the second leg of Shels Europa league tie,I presume Premier Sports will pick it up….

[yurt]

Looking at the highlights again, I'm so glad for all those Shels fans that the goals all happened right in front of them. Hoping for them it's not the case but that could easily be the highlight of their season. It looked like they were all having an absolute buzz, money well spent.

I wonder who will the Shels players and fans be thinking they'd rather play in the next round. Belfast is such a handy spin so I'm guessing thats the real answer but the Faroes could be a great adventure too and it'd probably be a slightly weaker side than Linfeld.

[pineapple stu]

Interesting game in Moldova at the moment - Virtus of San Marino away to Milsami Orhei. They're the first ever Sammarinese team to reach the third round of Europe I think - because they got the bye in round 2

It's 2-2 with ten to go and Orhei are down to nine men, so a good chance of a winner there. Probably they wouldn't hold on in the return - but San Marino in the playoffs just maybe? They'd play the losers of Mostar and Breidablik

Edit - 9-man Other win it in the 90th minute...