Originally Posted by
Viking
Well... as it turned out, you'll don't have to worry about IFK Göteborg. They're not in this year.
It's AIK & IFK Norrköping as seeded in the first round you might face. Two teams with different kind of style of play. AIK 3-5-2/5-3-2 and usually rock solid defensively, but so so offensively, a bit Italian with defense first attitude and lots of ball-possession these days. Norrköping is a more traditional 4-4-2 team with some variations when they attack. And a team that put more pressure on the opponents and thrive on a fast-paced football. Usually very succesful against lesser opponents, but can have trouble against skilled teams/tactics.
Both teams ended up with 60 points last year in a 30 game schedule. (6 points behind the champs Malmö)
The last team in Europa League will be Östersunds FK who won the cup today, by defeating Norrköping with 4-1. But they will enter in the second round of EL and be unseeded. So I would guess, not a likely opponent for your teams. (if you don't take over a high seed in the first round) A 3-5-2/3-4-3 team with lots of ball-possession. Skilled in the passning-game and have come quite far in just a couple of seasons. 8 in the league last year. Will probably do even better this year.
And since you guys (Cork City) beat Häcken last season, i can't see why you should be out of a chance against any of these teams. Not the way Cork is doing in the league this year. OK, Häcken has in many years been known for their somewhat shady defense (new directions this year and new coach as well) but still. Sure, all of your teams will probably be underdogs, but also as someone mentioned; Irish teams have fared well against Swedish opponents in the past. And not so past as we all saw last year. I sure hope for an other opponent than an Irish one in the first round. Well, travel-wise it sounds good though...