If it's Monday - it must be European Draws Day...

**p�l-dcfc** · 22/06/2009, 6:14 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

I'm surprised that some people on here are expecting Derry to go through.

Last year, Pats won 3-0 against JFK Olimps, who were no big shakes in Latvian terms, and Bohs went out 2-2 to the team that finished fourth (or sixth, depending which table you look at).

I think the Latvian teams are a bit stronger than people may think.

But if youlook at the teams Skonto have went out to in Europe over the past few years, they are no better than Derry. I don't think we should go an fear the team tht finished 3rd in the Latvian league. We should be confident.

**Dodge** · 22/06/2009, 6:17 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

I'm surprised that some people on here are expecting Derry to go through.

Last year, Pats won 3-0 against JFK Olimps, who were no big shakes in Latvian terms,
I think the Latvian teams are a bit stronger than people may think.

Are you criticising pats for only winning 3-0 on agg and winning both legs?

Pats were comfortbale throughout both legs and but for better finishing could've had 3/4 in each game. Now obviously Skonto are a step up from that but there's a reason why Derry are seeded above them

**Sheridan** · 22/06/2009, 6:32 PM

Whatchoo talkin' about, superfrank? I expect Derry to go through, although it won't be an earth-shattering shock if they don't. No-one's saying they're going to walk it.

**sligoman** · 22/06/2009, 6:46 PM

Really dont know what to expect from us tbh. It's entering into the unknown with this opposition. In fact, I wouldn't be confident at all. Depends on what sort of result we can get at home first.

**green army** · 22/06/2009, 7:49 PM

for the derry fans, i would recommend staying in the albert hotel. the ground is around the corner. (we could see the ground out our window). great hotel thats dirt cheap.would stay away from the irish pub (thinks its mc carthys).

hopefully pats get through. did cork fans stay in the capital (cant spell it) when yis went to iceland.

**superfrank** · 22/06/2009, 8:47 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Are you criticising pats for only winning 3-0 on agg and winning both legs?

No, I was suggesting that JFK Olimps are not the cream of Latvian football, as indicated by their league position in 2008. 10 out of 10 and then bottom of the relegation group. They only stayed up because the promoted teams witdrew from the league.

http://www.rsssf.com/tablesl/let08.html

**Dodge** · 22/06/2009, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

No, I was suggesting that JFK Olimps are not the cream of Latvian football, as indicated by their league position in 2008. 10 out of 10 and then bottom of the relegation group. They only stayed up because the promoted teams witdrew from the league.

http://www.rsssf.com/tablesl/let08.html

But why bring them into your argument at all then?

**brianw82** · 22/06/2009, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

But why bring them into your argument at all then?

I think what he means is that people are expecting Derry to have an easy game because Pats disposed of Latvian opposition fairly easily last season, but that team seemed to be on the way down at the time.

**SkStu** · 22/06/2009, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

No, I was suggesting that JFK Olimps are not the cream of Latvian football, as indicated by their league position in 2008. 10 out of 10 and then bottom of the relegation group. They only stayed up because the promoted teams witdrew from the league.
http://www.rsssf.com/tablesl/let08.html

its quite reassuring to see that the problems of some leagues - such as the illustrious Latvian example above - rival our own...

nice one

**p�l-dcfc** · 23/06/2009, 12:20 AM

Originally Posted by SkStu

its quite reassuring to see that the problems of some leagues - such as the illustrious Latvian example above - rival our own...

nice one

Isn't there something mental that happened that season? Like all the big clubs in the top flight have some sort of federation that bribes and intimidates the clubs in the division below? Or is that a different league?

**TheBoss** · 23/06/2009, 12:21 AM

I think that was Poland ?

**p�l-dcfc** · 23/06/2009, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by TheBoss

I think that was Poland ?

Quite very possible.

**Colbert Report** · 23/06/2009, 6:10 AM

I'm too lazy to read through this thread, can someone please post a list of fixtures complete with dates, cheers.

**Candystripe** · 23/06/2009, 6:24 AM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

I'm too lazy to read through this thread, can someone please post a list of fixtures complete with dates, cheers.

CL.

Bohs V TNS (Wales) Winners play Barcelona AFC.

Sligo or Falkirk V Fulham.

St Pats V PSV Eindhoven (Pats away 1st leg)

Derry V Linfield( Linfield hoe game to be played in Glasgow as Windsor Pk under redevelopment).

http://www.uefa.com/DRAWFORpeoplewho...fortherealdraw

**pineapple stu** · 23/06/2009, 8:44 AM

Originally Posted by p�l-dcfc

Isn't there something mental that happened that season? Like all the big clubs in the top flight have some sort of federation that bribes and intimidates the clubs in the division below? Or is that a different league?

Was that Lithuania? A couple of the bigger teams pulled out of the Lithuanian league because (in part) they weren't allowed pick referees for their own matches.

There's an ongoing corruption investigation in Poland; one team who finished fifth this year are going to be relegated no matter what, and the second division champions are involved in a legal battle too. Boavista in Portugal were relegated to the second division for bribery and have just been relegated to the third division; they may well go bankrupt. There's lots of messing around Europe. Even in Albania, there's about 15 managerial changes a year in a 12-team league.

**bennocelt** · 23/06/2009, 9:37 AM

Tough for Bohs - but it will be a good game to see the true level of the LOI, to see if the league has progressed at all. Will be a close tie

Sligo have a tough one too, and I dont think they will do it, esp as the second leg is away.

But great draws for Derry and St Pats. Latvian league football is pants, and Pats should beat a team from iceland/malta

anyone know the dates of the games?

also wonder what ye guys reckon would be the cheapest away game to see - as I might chance some this year

**BohDiddley** · 23/06/2009, 9:42 AM

Originally Posted by Candystripe

CL.

Bohs V TNS (Wales) Winners play Barcelona AFC.

I'd fancy us to beat TNS TBH.

Barcelona will be a tough place to go to. But their defence is in transition and we might get something from the game.

(I've always wanted to write that.)

**1895ringsend** · 23/06/2009, 9:45 AM

I,m actually in salzburg at the moment. My girlfriend is from the city and we,re back visiting her parents so it was fairly funny for me when the draw was made. Basically from listening to the media and locals here they reckon their gonna steam roll all over bohs. Their not giving them a prayer and the papers this morning are very dismissive and have been going on about the poor record of irish clubs in europe. Irish minnows is being used a far bit!! Bohs m�y catch this lot on the hop.

I,ve been coming to austria for years with my better half so i,ve been to loads of matches here. I know a lot about austrian football. Rapid and graz have been in the champions league and Austria Vienna, salzburg and rapid have all been in european finals. The standard is very good and the austrian league would be the league we,d all love the LOI to be. stadiums are of excellent quality and the crowds are quite big. Since the redbull franchise took over salzburg have had gates of nearly 20,000 for all league games thats nearly double what they used top get.

the old SV salzburg are back in the 4th tier having been prommoted 3 times in the last 3 years. Their fans will defo be up for bohs i,d imagine. Footballwise the redbul shower isolated the citys real football fans so expect a real prawn sandwich brigade when you visit them. I went to see salzburg a few times last season and was never really that impressed with them considering the money they,ve spent. Saw them get a hiding off Rapid so i,d give bohs a decent chance.

**pineapple stu** · 23/06/2009, 9:46 AM

Originally Posted by boh diddley

Barcelona will be a tough place to go to. But their defence is in transition and we might get something from the game.

It's only Barca AFC though - they're rubbish.

**Infadel** · 23/06/2009, 9:47 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Was that Lithuania? A couple of the bigger teams pulled out of the Lithuanian league because (in part) they weren't allowed pick referees for their own matches.

There's an ongoing corruption investigation in Poland; one team who finished fifth this year are going to be relegated no matter what, and the second division champions are involved in a legal battle too. Boavista in Portugal were relegated to the second division for bribery and have just been relegated to the third division; they may well go bankrupt. There's lots of messing around Europe. Even in Albania, there's about 15 managerial changes a year in a 12-team league.

That would be Kaunas and I think Atlanas in Lithuania but Kaunas were in the draw yesterday for the Europa league