LOI In Europe 2025

[holidaysong]

Rijeka or Ludogorets in the EL if they lose to Qarabag which is more likely. A tough draw regardless

Worst option that they could have gotten in UEL. Riga or Lincoln Red Imps were the likely opponents in the other two options. Qarabag is probably more winnable than either of the UEL parachute options.

[yurt]

It looks almost odds on that Shels will be in the ECL playoff. I guess they can't feel too hard done by with the stinker of a draw after getting such a good one in round 1 when they really needed it.

That playoff wont have too many easy teams in the pot either. Those teams will be coming off a winning runs too and Shels will likely have played 4 much harder fixtures without much of the ball, maybe that will stand to them in itself.

They've a lot to learn at this level and these next toes against much stronger opposition will teach them a lot

[Burnsie]

It looks almost odds on that Shels will be in the ECL playoff. I guess they can't feel too hard done by with the stinker of a draw after getting such a good one in round 1 when they really needed it.

That playoff wont have too many easy teams in the pot either. Those teams will be coming off a winning runs too and Shels will likely have played 4 much harder fixtures without much of the ball, maybe that will stand to them in itself.

They've a lot to learn at this level and these next toes against much stronger opposition will teach them a lot

Because Shels are in the Champions Path, any potential opponent in the Conference play-off will probably also have lost two ties already. So for example, they coulnd't draw Crystal Palace or Fiorentina, or any team who started in the Conference League and won their way through three rounds

[2 Year Contract]

If Pats win they’ll play the loser of Besiktas vs Shakhtar Donetsk in the 3rd round which would be the of the road

[ger121]

Rovers will face Floriana of Malta or Balkani of Kosovo if they progress. Can be pleased with that draw. Are Ballkani the side that made back to back Group Stages or are they more now the side that lost to Santa Coloma and Larne last season.

[ger121]

If Pats win they’ll play the loser of Besiktas vs Shakhtar Donetsk in the 3rd round which would be the of the road

You would have to think so.

[sessylU]

Very much squinting at storm clouds to try find a silver lining here, but it's nice to so many people disappointed at Irish teams getting tough draws. I think that in the past, there would have been a tendency to view Besiktas or Shaktar as glamour ties. It speaks a bit to the growing confidence and esteem of Irish soccer, I think.

I'm reminded of when Derry drew PSG. The team watched the draw together and everyone cheered when they got drawn against the glamour team. Except Kenny, who was a bit annoyed that they didn't get any of the other teams where he would have fancied his chances.

[geysir]

Would you say this is the strongest the Icelandic League has been to-date and if so why? Are teams moving to full-time football or investment in clubs, both or something else? They are hammering sides in Europe so far this season.

The difference this year so far are the margins of victory, real progress in europe is measured by the round, we'll see how that one works out.
In Iceland detailed annual club accounts are published online (imagine that!!). I had a peep at Breidabliks and Vikingurs. Icelandic clubs are membership owned, there are no shares, the board is elected at AGM and is answerable to the membership.
Both clubs are very well run, both have an invested slush fund of ca. Eur2m at years end. In 2024 Breidablik got knocked out in the 2nd conf l, sold Eur800k worth of shares mid season to keep things ticking over and won the league title on the last day. in 2024 Vikingur's total income was 12m eur (6m. from uefa!!).
I'm reminded of that sketch where Liverpool lads go to London and end up with barrow loads of cash, except here the europe campaign is taken seriously, the boat is pushed out but knowing there is a slush fund which has been built up over the years. Preparation expenses are detailed and have markedly increased, (charter flights etc). The europe campaign is a planned adventure not a gamble.

I'd say the big thing to avoid in Europe is fluking a win in the EL play offs and end up losing all group games.

[EatYerGreens]

It looks almost odds on that Shels will be in the ECL playoff. I guess they can't feel too hard done by with the stinker of a draw after getting such a good one in round 1 when they really needed it.

That playoff wont have too many easy teams in the pot either. Those teams will be coming off a winning runs too and Shels will likely have played 4 much harder fixtures without much of the ball, maybe that will stand to them in itself.

They've a lot to learn at this level and these next toes against much stronger opposition will teach them a lot

Duff could well end up regretting his little tantrum, when he could have been adding a few more feathers to his CV instead.

[ger121]

The difference this year so far are the margins of victory, real progress in europe is measured by the round, we'll see how that one works out.
In Iceland detailed annual club accounts are published online (imagine that!!). I had a peep at Breidabliks and Vikingurs. Icelandic clubs are membership owned, there are no shares, the board is elected at AGM and is answerable to the membership.
Both clubs are very well run, both have an invested slush fund of ca. Eur2m at years end. In 2024 Breidablik got knocked out in the 2nd conf l, sold Eur800k worth of shares mid season to keep things ticking over and won the league title on the last day. in 2024 Vikingur's total income was 12m eur (6m. from uefa!!).
I'm reminded of that sketch where Liverpool lads go to London and end up with barrow loads of cash, except here the europe campaign is taken seriously, the boat is pushed out but knowing there is a slush fund which has been built up over the years. Preparation expenses are detailed and have markedly increased, (charter flights etc). The europe campaign is a planned adventure not a gamble.

I'd say the big thing to avoid in Europe is fluking a win in the EL play offs and end up losing all group games.

Thanks for that Geysir. €6 million turnover for Vikingur, minus the euro money is still a serious turnover. Would love to know what that is made up of.

[culloty82]

Rovers will face Floriana of Malta or Balkani of Kosovo if they progress. Can be pleased with that draw. Are Ballkani the side that made back to back Group Stages or are they more now the side that lost to Santa Coloma and Larne last season.

They're 3-2 up on Floriana at HT, so can't imagine Rovers will exactly be quaking at the prospect of facing either.

[yurt]

Shkendija beat FCSB 1-0 at home this evening. Should give Shels a little extra encouragement to see it's possible to get a result and to even dream about a path to the champions league.

A champions league playoff against Celtic in the Aviva would be an interesting occasion.

[ger121]

Shkendija beat FCSB 1-0 at home this evening. Should give Shels a little extra encouragement to see it's possible to get a result and to even dream about a path to the champions league.

A champions league playoff against Celtic in the Aviva would be an interesting occasion.

FCSB were awful over 2 legs against the Andorran champions so I am not too surprised Shkendjia got a result.
You could say that Shels’ tie against Qarabag in the 2nd round is much harder than the 2 potential opponents in the 3rd round. Having said that, and you all may be laughing at me this time tomorrow night, but I have a sneaky feeling about Shels tomorrow. Qarabag have serious European pedigree but maybe, just maybe they are not at the levels of 2-3 seasons ago and are also out of season. Stranger things have happened so far in qualifying.

[2 Year Contract]

FCSB were awful over 2 legs against the Andorran champions so I am not too surprised Shkendjia got a result.
You could say that Shels’ tie against Qarabag in the 2nd round is much harder than the 2 potential opponents in the 3rd round. Having said that, and you all may be laughing at me this time tomorrow night, but I have a sneaky feeling about Shels tomorrow. Qarabag have serious European pedigree but maybe, just maybe they are not at the levels of 2-3 seasons ago and are also out of season. Stranger things have happened so far in qualifying.

I know the credentials of Qarabag, but I’d agree with you that it’s not quite the impossible task that Besiktas or Shakhtar Donetsk would be for Pats if they get through R2 for example. Qarabag were beaten in the Azerbaijan cup final by Sabah who Pats beat home and away this time last year, keeping 2 clean sheets. Hard to know what level they’re at given it’s pre-season but if they're not fully at it then Shels picking up a result isn’t a totally wild proposition if they play to their best

[Nesta99]

Shkendija beat FCSB 1-0 at home this evening. Should give Shels a little extra encouragement to see it's possible to get a result and to even dream about a path to the champions league.

A champions league playoff against Celtic in the Aviva would be an interesting occasion.

Not that I think it will happen but thats the fixture as a LoI fan Id hate, especially in the past when youd definitely be outnumbered even at home, the result could be a stick to beat the league with, and there would always be a hint of hope that you could cause an upset against a big club 'cause Scottish sides can have huge blips. Now I would be so bothered about the fan numbers to the same extent even if still outnumbered (which I still find mad), there's lest tendency to give the league a kicking (huge clubs have been hammered more often it seems in recent times), though I think Celtic are past having really bad days and are a very good side!? Do Celtic still have the draw they used to in this country even? Are the days of half of Northern Ireland seeming to be at their games still a thing? If it were possible Id prefer Rangers, a bit briitle and most people at the game would be rooting for the home club as it should be.

I also think Shels will belie their league postion, which could work to their favour. Theyve been on the wrong end of some close draws and losses, their form hasnt been catastrophic fall off, just results that they were gettig last season have been hard to come by. So I think they could be underestimated even by ourselves, and I do think they suit European football. Linfield may have flattered a bit but they'd have been seriously up for that tie, better sides have been sloppier in their Eureopean preseason.

[Martinho II]

Not that I think it will happen but thats the fixture as a LoI fan Id hate, especially in the past when youd definitely be outnumbered even at home, the result could be a stick to beat the league with, and there would always be a hint of hope that you could cause an upset against a big club 'cause Scottish sides can have huge blips. Now I would be so bothered about the fan numbers to the same extent even if still outnumbered (which I still find mad), there's lest tendency to give the league a kicking (huge clubs have been hammered more often it seems in recent times), though I think Celtic are past having really bad days and are a very good side!? Do Celtic still have the draw they used to in this country even? Are the days of half of Northern Ireland seeming to be at their games still a thing? If it were possible Id prefer Rangers, a bit briitle and most people at the game would be rooting for the home club as it should be.

I also think Shels will belie their league postion, which could work to their favour. Theyve been on the wrong end of some close draws and losses, their form hasnt been catastrophic fall off, just results that they were gettig last season have been hard to come by. So I think they could be underestimated even by ourselves, and I do think they suit European football. Linfield may have flattered a bit but they'd have been seriously up for that tie, better sides have been sloppier in their Eureopean preseason.

Judging by the crowd in Pairc Ui Chaoimh think Celtic still have a strong following!

[yurt]

Surprised to see how long Shels are in the odds to get a result this evening. I fancy Shels to cause them a couple of problems and hopefully catch them on the hop in their first competitive game of the season.

[pineapple stu]

I hope you're right - Dundalk drew with them at home a few years back so it's doable - but I think Shels are a limited enough side and will do very well to get anything. They did draw with Zurich last year but they were well beaten in the first leg, which makes a big difference.

I'll say 2-0 to Qarabag. Hoping Kearns' injury doesn't have anything to do with it (obviously biased towards the two ex UCD keepers)

[Tomas]

Go on Shelbourne! Just put my money where my mount is. 5/1 to win at my local bookies. My weekly wages of 460 euro.

Go on Shelbourne!

Lived close to Dalymount Park, remember those pre-game fights between both set of supporters. "I have seen better fights in a Finglas chipper," legendary Pat Fenlon said after an argy-bargy ending of the game between Bohs and Shels. "If there is going to be a fight you would like to see a good one."

[pineapple stu]

Inter Escaldes 1-0 up in Ljubljana at halftime.

Just 135 minutes to hang on to be the first Andorran side to make the group stages!

Edit - and how Shels didn't score there, I don't know. I thought it was given initially - i presume there's no goalline tech to go with VAR? Qarabag the better side so far though