TNS will look at the tie against Bohemians as a chance to go through but will consider themselves underdogs. Their record in Europe is not very impressive but in the last few years all their ties have been close. (4-4 away goals defeat, 0-2 agg. defeat, 2-4 agg. defeat) Bohemians were probably one of the easier teams they could have got and they will be pleased to have avoided Rosenborg and others.
They actually have some decent players including Steve Evans who has 7 caps for Wales and played in the Euro 2008 qualifier between Wales and Ireland at Croke Park which we lost 1-0. Defensively they have a lot of experience and they are full-time professionals, so I don't think they will embarrass themselves. However, don't expect a huge crowd for the second leg at Park Hall. I wouldn't be surprised if there were more Bohemians fans than TNS at that.
Incidentally, they have a plastic pitch at their home ground. Could be a factor.
Last edited by Cymro; 21/06/2010 at 2:55 PM.
"Life is like a hair on a toilet seat. Sooner or later you are bound to get pi$$ed off."
"In this league, a draw is sometimes as good as a win" - Steve Morison
Dundalks tie reversed....we are away on 1st July and 2nd leg now in oriel 8th July...works out better i think
Only another 9 titles till Drogheda become pride of county louth!!!
.....
Last edited by thischarmingman; 21/06/2010 at 4:54 PM. Reason: Doesn't matter...
Ryanair to Frankfurt Hahn would be far cheaper, coach transfers every couple of hours. (Luxembourg is closer to the Airport than Frankfurt itself).....
You can`t miss it ... just past the Duchy on the left hand side.
Last edited by Dalymountrower; 21/06/2010 at 4:42 PM.
Lots of advice on travel, hotels, pubs etc. on Yerevan in the Ireland forum in advance of the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifier this September.
As a summary, it'll be hot as hell (47 degrees for an evening kick off when Derry played there), expensive to get to, but worth visiting IMO.
Just booked my flight to Frankfurt-Hahn. €130 return. Out on the Wednesday, back on the Friday. Very excited.
Don't know if it's been asked already but how are TNS automatically in the 2nd round? Fantastic draw for Bohs, not too confident for the rest- very tough opposition. Travel to Armenia/Isreal for us will cost a fortune too....
both ties to be played on the Tuesdays.
MEDIA RELEASE BOHEMIAN FC 21 JUNE 2010
Following today's draw for the qualifying rounds of the Champions League, Bohemian FC announces that it will play Welsh champions TNS (The New Saints) in Dalymount Park on Tuesday, 13th July, and away on Tuesday, 20th July.
Bohs manager Pat Fenlon described the draw as good from a travel point of view, and looked forward to a good turn-out from the Bohemian fans.
"It's important that we have the first round at home. It will not be an easy tie. They are a decent side," Fenlon said.
"We'll watch them in their friendly against Glentoran. We'll have our homework done on them by the time we meet."
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
54,321 sold - wws will never die - ***
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New blog if anyone's interested - http://loihistory.wordpress.com/
LOI section on balls.ie - http://balls.ie/league-of-ireland/
maritimo in action. Last home game http://www.zerozero.pt/video.php?id=63860
Say nothin til ya hear more!
They are an OK team, they have a good keeper in Peçanha. I think Fingal have a chance in the Home Leg, but away from as always is a problem for LOI teams, and that maybe the factor yet again.
Maritimo fans in action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9woy8k3_3kI&NR=1
TNS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmHKFyEGOjQ
looks like a plastic pitch
CS Grevanmacher - in case anyone thinks that Luxembourg teams are a walkover (bearing in mind that team have 2/3 internationals)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2nXi...eature=related
Looking at the TNS videos, they look like a big side which a good balance of pacey and powerful players. Maybe not the easy tie Bohs thought it might be. Although would still expect progression.
One tiny little problem with TNS's ground - it doesn't meet UEFA Requirements.
From the 2010 UEFA Stadium Regulations:
Park Hall only has 1,000 permanent seats.Article 16 – Stands and spectator facilities
1 Seats for spectators must be individual, fixed (e.g. to the floor), separated from one another, shaped, numbered, made of an unbreakable and non-fl ammable material and have a backrest of a minimum height of 30 cm when measured from the seat.
2 The use of temporary stands is prohibited. (Temporary stands: seating which, by virtue of its material, design and construction, is clearly intended for use for a very limited period and is not fixed to a suitable load-bearing foundation.)
3 The stadium must be equipped with refreshment and catering facilities for all spectators in every sector of the stadium.
Article 20 – Spectator capacity
In terms of spectator capacity, a stadium must meet the following requirement:
Category 1: Provide a grandstand with at least 200 seats.
Category 2: The stadium must have a capacity of at least 1,500 seats.
Category 3: The stadium must have a capacity of at least 4,500 seats.
Category 4: The stadium must have a capacity of at least 8,000 seats.
Elite: Provide at least 30,000 seats, including a minimum of 22,500 covered ones.
Just been studying details of Welsh Premier Grounds - only one of them meets the 1,500 seat minimum - and that's Rhyl...
Therefore they'll HAVE to move the game to Rhyl or Wrexham - as they can't put temporary seating in - and they're the only North Walian grounds that meets requirements.
Latham Park in Newtown (where Carmarthen dismantled Longford) just falls short - it has 1,250 permanent seats.
If they're allowed to get away with either temp seating or playing the game with only the 1,000 then it'll be a kick in the teeth for clubs like Dundalk who have spent money and time bringing their stadia up to the correct capacity
Kom Igen, FCK...
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