The Big Fat European Latest Thread

**Dodge** · 07/08/2009, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Boo_Boy

Behind closed doors mean live broadcasts are banned?

Don't think so. I seem to remember Inter v Rangers being on TV with no crowd

**irishultra** · 07/08/2009, 12:34 PM

nope, shouldnt be anyway. i watched ac milan behind closed doors a few years back...it was the game that porto player scored an absolutely outrageous long range free kick, cant remember the exact player.

**bennocelt** · 07/08/2009, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

The away leg will be played behind closed doors as Steaua have been hit with a 2 game stadium ban by UEFA

Are u sure about that Dodge?

at least for Pats the away leg is fist, if they could knick a goal out there it would be class, they already have 4 away goals in the comp so far, so its not unlikely that they couldnt get another one.

I think its a winable tie

**Jofspring** · 07/08/2009, 12:36 PM

Think roma played behind closed doors too and it was televised. Not sure if was Roma tho. It was because the ref Frisk got hit with a coin coming off at half time.

**irishultra** · 07/08/2009, 12:37 PM

lol ye it basically happens every season in italy.

**amaccann** · 07/08/2009, 12:38 PM

Funny how once it reaches a certain point in the competition, all the talk is about making money - "lucrative ties" et al - rather than talking up the chance of making the group stages. Sure none of the ties were going to be easy, but so what? Sooner or later the shock result has to happen!

**Boo_Boy** · 07/08/2009, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by irishultra

nope, shouldnt be anyway. i watched ac milan behind closed doors a few years back...it was the game that porto player scored an absolutely outrageous long range free kick, cant remember the exact player.

Remember than now, Hugo Almeida.

What a bullet.

**Dodge** · 07/08/2009, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by bennocelt

Are u sure about that Dodge?

at least for Pats the away leg is fist

100% on the behind closed doors

75% sure that the legs will be switched (home leg first) as Dinamo Bucharest are due to play the same night

**Boo_Boy** · 07/08/2009, 12:41 PM

Should find out in the next few days where it will be on TV.

**Jofspring** · 07/08/2009, 12:42 PM

And what would Pats have prefered? I would have thought home second so they would have known what they need to do. But then again as far as getting a big crowd to it, home first would be better.

**baddebt** · 07/08/2009, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

100% on the behind closed doors

75% sure that the legs will be switched (home leg first) as Dinamo Bucharest are due to play the same night

why will the ties be switched? Both Dinamo and Steaua have different Stadiums

**CuanaD** · 07/08/2009, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

100% on the behind closed doors

75% sure that the legs will be switched (home leg first) as Dinamo Bucharest are due to play the same night

I hope the 25% is right - I'm out of dublin on the 20th

(please please please - insert deity here - let it be away leg first)

**Dodge** · 07/08/2009, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by baddebt

why will the ties be switched? Both Dinamo and Steaua have different Stadiums

Its a police/advertising thing.

UEFA generally don't allow two games on the same night in the same city

**ger121** · 07/08/2009, 12:45 PM

Not the most glamourous tie but there will be a good crowd at the RDS. Seem to remember at the Shels match a few years ago there was a couple thousand Romanian supporters there. No doubt they'd have a decent following in the Romanian Community based in Ireland.

Anyway, they've a slim chance but remember,not many (including me) gave them any hope in the last round against Kryla. They've proven they can score away from home so all to play for. Probably the best chance to get to the group stage an Irish side has had.

**pineapple stu** · 07/08/2009, 12:47 PM

Steaua seem to have regressed since beating Shels; they were champions then, but finished sixth last season. Behind closed doors will benefit Pat's hugely, I'd say. I don't think Pat's could have asked for a better set of circumstances to make the group stages, TBH.

**baddebt** · 07/08/2009, 12:50 PM

yep , I didn't give them a chance against Kryla. ( perhaps we should give them no chance against Steaua in the hope they could get thru)

seriously though, Pat's have a chance, I hope the league will help them as much as possible and reschdule league matches if necessary. For sure all League of Ireland fans will be cheering Pats on

**Mr A** · 07/08/2009, 12:51 PM

Does that mean no Pats fans can attend the away leg? real bummer for them, effectively being punished for their opposition's offences.

**The Betting Man** · 07/08/2009, 12:52 PM

Home leg confirmed for the RDS according to Newstalk.

**Umberside** · 07/08/2009, 12:52 PM

I think Pats have a great chance, though I hope they get the away leg first. That way they could try and hold them scoreless and have the home crowd behind them at home. Definitely the best chance an Irish side has had of making the group stages of any European tournament.