League of Ireland in Europe 2017

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Originally Posted by sparky12345678

Every time i bring up their league its universally dismissed as low standard, even among the fans who attend Sturm Graz games etc.

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Steiermark is a hidden gem.

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Originally Posted by sparky12345678

While European success is important to capture the imagination of barstoolers/wider public the infrastructure is really not there to maintain consistency and importantly any time there is success the best players will disappear for a pitance to England.

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That's the challenge for Cork and Dundalk. They both seem to raising standards to be fair. Replacing departing stars is all part and parcel of being relatively successful as they have been of late.

England was being held up for scrutiny when they were in danger of losing a CL place to Italy, before the new changes were made. It's not just the LoI that is judged on European performances.

I think that is exactly the point. Atm England's performance in Europe has dropped off. Does that mean its not as good a league as the Spanish league for example (a passing fan might think that La Liga is just Real Madrid plus Barcalona head above the rest in contrast to the the more competetive Premier League... that however neglects to account for strong performances of Atleti, Seville etc in both Champions League and Europa League...). All across Europe leagues are being judged on their success. The decline of Serbian clubs/pedigree in Europe demonstrates the decline in standard there in contrast to the relatve success of a small club from a small country; Maribor. Or even closer to home Celtic's dominance of Scotland but failure to sparkle in Europe (even EL success would be nice) shows the decline there. Dutch clubs in comparison can be prouder I suppose of their progress.
Europe is important. It did get people talking. People were quite aware to what was going on... The same happened to a limited degree with Rovers but I still remember the hype surrounding Drogheda's tie with Kiev and im sure older people also saw positive spin when Shels did well.. So it is good for the coefficient (at least up to 2017 lol) and it was also good for PR. That it does not necessarily bring in more bums on seats is not really the point ie European success will not solve the leagues problems. We need to tackle them at their roots. I just wish European success would draw attention to the positives and focus the FAI on recognising the benefits for local football all the way up to the national team etc. It seems theyd rather schedule nice bumper games in Aviva, "domestic" football be dammed...But I also think it needs to go beyond FAI as an institution there needs to be more grassroots bottom up stuff going on to connect with people the way GAA does, the way Rugby does.

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Originally Posted by seand

That regionalisation story doesn't seem to be confirmed anywhere. There's been no formal regionalisation in the regulations since 2009, but it has happened each year since.

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UEFA do not formally regionalise the EL draw anymore. Just before the draw, the seeded and and unseeded teams will be placed (using some secret maneuver) into various pots. Nevertheless, for the first qual round the team distribution into these various pots does have an informal (not strictly applied) regional influence, but from the 2nd round onward, regionalising is not longer at play in the draw.

FC Basel won the underage league in Switzerland at the weekend; that's 5/8 for UCD now to reach the UEFA Youth League. Starting to look very positive.

European observers on Bert Kassies' forum are suggesting that Cork and Dundalk are the unseeded teams to be avoided in tomorrow's draws.

The seeding groups for the Champions League are out and Dundalk can get Celtic, Legia, Maribor, Malmo, Rosenborg or FH. We'll be looking for FH again with a bit of luck.

Europa League Seedings

Group 7
Seeded
Haugesund (NOR) 4.165
Ventspils (LVA) 5.725
Vaduz (LIE) 4.450
Midtjylland (DEN) 16.300
Domžale (SVN) 4.125

Unseeded
Derry City (IRL) 2.315
Flora Tallinn (EST) 3.050
Bala Town (WAL) 1.525
Valur Reykjavík (ISL) 1.925
Coleraine (NIR) 0.900

Group 8
Seeded
Stjarnan (ISL) 4.175
St Johnstone (SCO) 6.535
Olimpija Ljubljana (SVN) 4.625
Dinamo Minsk (BLR) 10.975
Crusaders (NIR) 3.900

Unseeded
NSÍ Runavík (FRO) 1.450
Liepāja (LVA) 2.225
VPS Vaasa (FIN) 2.030
Trakai (LTU) 1.575
Shamrock Rovers (IRL) 3.065

Group 9
Seeded
IFK Norrköping (SWE) 4.945
Odd (NOR) 5.665
HJK Helsinki (FIN) 10.530
Ferencváros (HUN) 3.900
Nõmme Kalju (EST) 4.800

Unseeded
Jelgava (LVA) 2.975
B36 Tórshavn (FRO) 2.450
Connah's Quay Nomads (WAL) 1.275
Ballymena United (NIR) 0.900
Prishtina (KOS) 0.000

Group 10
Seeded
AIK (SWE) 9.945
Shakhtyor Soligorsk (BLR) 7.475
KR Reykjavík (ISL) 5.175
Lyngby (DEN) 4.800
Levadia Tallinn (EST) 4.050

Unseeded
Bangor City (WAL) 1.275
Cork City (IRL) 2.565
SJK Seinäjoki (FIN) 2.780
Sūduva (LTU) 1.825
KÍ Klaksvík (FRO) 0.700

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Originally Posted by geysir

UEFA do not formally regionalise the EL draw anymore. Just before the draw, the seeded and and unseeded teams will be placed (using some secret maneuver) into various pots. Nevertheless, for the first qual round the team distribution into these various pots does have an informal (not strictly applied) regional influence, but from the 2nd round onward, regionalising is not longer at play in the draw.

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Looking at the Champions League groups they have maintained some level of regionalisation but have still allowed for new pairings. Teams from Lithuania and Latvia can play in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan but they have avoided sending teams from north west Europe on the really long journeys. I hope that will continue for the Europa League as a trip to Azerbaijan/Kazakhstan would be very very expensive for our clubs.

Rovers have to be happy with that group. Derry have a tough side in Midtylland and a tricky travel option in Haugesand. Other than they hey should be happy. Beat Ventspils and you're seeded in the second round.
As for us, couple of good options, couple of tough options. I'm happy enough given how hard it could have been.

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Originally Posted by Yossarian

The seeding groups for the Champions League are out and Dundalk can get Celtic, Legia, Maribor, Malmo, Rosenborg or FH. We'll be looking for FH again with a bit of luck.

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Rosenborg aren't the force they used to be. Sligo beat them 2-1 in Trondheim a few years ago, albeit they lost the tie 3-4 on aggregate. FH would be the perfect draw all right, but i wouldn't be too upset if they got Rosenborg or even Maribor.

Celtic, Legia and Malmo are a different level though. They would be extremely difficult ties.

You can't beat the day of the European draws - been building up to this for months.

Good luck to everyone.

im waiting to see who Vaduz get, if i get a pass from wifey id go:)

Dundalk v Rosenborg

Would Rosenberg be better/worse than Bate?

Potentially Linfield v Celtic. Should be fun!

Dundalk have to be happy enough with that. Their options weren't great, Rosenborg would be preferable to most of the other teams most likely? After FH would this be the next best option? Plus, who doesn't want to visit Norway?

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Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid

Dundalk v Rosenborg

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If Dundalk lose this game, are they completely out of Europe?

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Originally Posted by Straightstory

Would Rosenberg be better/worse than Bate?

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Hard to know - they beat IFK Norkopping in the Champs league last year and were pretty close to knocking out APOEL before conceding 3 goals in injury time in Cyprus. They then lost 4-2 on agg to Austra Vienna in EL P/O. Currently top of the league albeit not by much. Outside chance at best but a better draw than Malmo / Celtic / Warsaw.

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Originally Posted by swinfordfc

If Dundalk lose this game, are they completely out of Europe?

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YES..

Levadia Tallinn v Cork City

Cork should go through on that! Ouch for Derry.

FC Midtjylland v Derry City

Shamrock Rovers will play Stjarnan (Iceland) away first

Cork and Rovers good draw ..... Ouch for Derry!

Draw could have been better and worse all round. Derry have had the tough one this year but then you dont know what you get with Rovers. Rosenburg is going to be tough but not as tough as BATE and Legia. If we can lift our general form we can have a chance.

Pretty confident with that one, home in the second leg is good. Not bad for rovers either. Tough one for derry though

We will still need to be at our best against this team - only knocked out by Slavia Prague on away goals last year and unbeaten in the league this year.

Well feck that for a draw ��

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Originally Posted by Nesta99

Draw could have been better and worse all round. Derry have had the tough one this year but then you dont know what you get with Rovers. Rosenburg is going to be tough but not as tough as BATE and Legia. If we can lift our general form we can have a chance.

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I follow a good bit of Norwegian football & Rosenborg nowhere near as good as last season, def beatable but then that's very much the case with Dundalk too

Pretty good all round. Derry the unluckiest.

Slightly off topic... but, has anyone ever been to Bangor in Wales and what is the best way to get there?

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Originally Posted by **FrOsTy**

Slightly off topic... but, has anyone ever been to Bangor in Wales and what is the best way to get there?

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Ferry, and the train - stops in Bangor - only railway line on the way to Chester. Nice wee Univeristy town, the football ground is shocking and makes Oriel look like Old Trafford!

The dates of the 2nd round 1st leg game with (probably) Linfield and Celtic are a tad unfortunate. Id say the fixture wuld be reversed to be in Glasgow on the 11/12th not that it would make much difference.

Now it's Shamrock Rovers' turn to come a cropper in Iceland.

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Originally Posted by Nesta99

The dates of the 2nd round 1st leg game with (probably) Linfield and Celtic are a tad unfortunate. Id say the fixture wuld be reversed to be in Glasgow on the 11/12th not that it would make much difference.

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Are you talking about the old ground Farrer Road short walk from station or new ground out of town.

Apologies pressed wrong response
This is reply to Nesta's statement about Bangor's ground.

Balls of a draw for Derry. Couldn't have been worse out of the opponents that could have been drawn by considerable distance.

Good draw for Cork. Surely Rovers have a decent chance of progression too. Not the worst of draws for Dundalk, although knocking out Rosenborg will be a tough ask.

so of the 4 teams. 2 are up against tough seeds and 2 against beatable seeds. Rosenburg and Midtjylland on paper are a big ask, but its always the case that clubs need to step up; like Dundalk against BATE... Hopefully Dundalk can do it, pity Rosenburg are in season... Hard to see Derry pulling off something special...

AEK Larnaca (Cyp) / Lincoln (Gib) v Levada Tallinn (Est) / Cork City (Irl)

Stjarnan (Isl) / Shamrock Rovers (Irl) v FK Mlada Boleslv (Cze)

Ferencvaros (Hun) / FK Jelgarva (Lat) v FC Midtjylland (Den) / Derry City (Irl)