LOI In Europe 2021

**paul_oshea** · 12/08/2021, 8:43 PM

They're wrecked. Im a broken record. If they get them to extra time only one winner.

**Philosophizer** · 12/08/2021, 8:43 PM

That's another case of the better team probably not really caring if they lose 1-0 or 2-0 because they kicked 7 shades out of Larne in the 1st leg.

**pineapple stu** · 12/08/2021, 8:46 PM

Originally Posted by DCWA

In relation to the earlier discussion about a poor result of one leg taking away from the good result in the other, if we were to approch them as individual games then beating a Portuguese team probably the single best 90 min result from any team in Ireland?

Beating Aarhus over two legs probably takes the overall best result award as well unless Dundalk get by Vitesse here.

I'd put the PAOK win over Pacos easily (and that's before the first leg/second leg considerations). The Portuguese league drops off quite quickly beyond the usual culprits.

The Aarhus win was pretty impressive alright.

**Philosophizer** · 12/08/2021, 8:47 PM

That was THE chance. Kelly should have shot himself.

**pineapple stu** · 12/08/2021, 8:48 PM

Originally Posted by Philosophizer

Kelly should have shot himself.

A bit of an overreaction, no? It's only a game!

**Philosophizer** · 12/08/2021, 8:52 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

A bit of an overreaction, no? It's only a game!

Hahah top stuff Stu!! Consider my cap doffed, sir.

**paul_oshea** · 12/08/2021, 8:52 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

I'd put the PAOK win over Pacos easily (and that's before the first leg/second leg considerations). The Portuguese league drops off quite quickly beyond the usual culprits.

The Aarhus win was pretty impressive alright.

Ah they had very many but ya. This definitely has a feeling of what might have been.

**Philosophizer** · 12/08/2021, 8:53 PM

Dundalk had them absolutely rattled in the last 10 mins. Great pressure, but that Vitesse keeper just couldn't be beat.

**ger121** · 12/08/2021, 8:55 PM

I think Dundalk will be kicking themselves after that. Could have been dead and buried at HT in the 1st game. Probably should have won 2-1. Very good early on tonight, then concede 2 soft goals. Then really put Vitesse under pressure in the 2nd half. I know it is a cliche but it really was a game and tie of what might have been…

**pateen** · 12/08/2021, 8:56 PM

Well that was entertaining .....

**ger121** · 12/08/2021, 9:08 PM

Reading Vitesse fans comments on Twitter and it is a combination of being embarrassed and very grateful to their keeper.

**sbgawa** · 12/08/2021, 9:08 PM

Bohs and Dundalk can be rightly happy with their performances over two legs against top opposition.
Was thinking when bohs went 2 nil down after 30 mins that they were lookimg at a hiding so fair play for digging in and keeping the game alive until the end
Dundalk unlucky not to get it to extratime but really gifted Vitesse a handy start.
A pity feck all people got to see it thanks to GAA TV.

Rovers ran out easy winners but it was a 50/50 game up until Rovers scored, dont know why they didnt have a bit of a go in Tallaght they could do it when they wanted to.
Great chance to make group stages now, 50/50 shot with a lot of exciting teams to look forward to drawing if we make it

**paul_oshea** · 12/08/2021, 9:26 PM

Summing up bohs and Dundalk played their own game and gave just enough respect to both their opponents and lost by a single goal for doing so. The football played and the goals scored were as good as youd see. It was refreshing to see teams play positively, on the front foot and believing in themselves . That all said I feel like this was the year to actually win those kind of ties, if it comes around again the opportunity won't present itself in the same way.

The other positive from this that will show the league to foreign teams who might have previously disregarded LOI sides and players. It can open up other avenues for players and shop windows potentially, especially if there are consistent results in Europe. That should also ensure appropriate compensation for transfers too.

There's a lot to be positive about, with consistency.

**sbgawa** · 12/08/2021, 9:49 PM

On the basis of Rovers current coefficient for next season if they lose to florin they will be seeded in the champions league first round if they retain the league.
Winning the league is more important than ever as the Champions path gives a massive chance for group stages.
Rovers got lucky this year getting a bye past round 2 but seeding next year effectively possibly does the same thing.
On the other hand if Pats or Sligo win the league and are unseeded like Rovers this year they still have a big opportunity.
The conference league has given the small leagues a reasonable chance of big pay days for any team that manages to win the league seeded or not.

**Philosophizer** · 12/08/2021, 9:56 PM

Even though both Bohs and Dundalk lost by a single goal you'd have to say that Dundalk put Vitesse under a lot more pressure. It really felt like a Dundalk goal was coming, they were peppering the Vitesse goal. Their keeper get them through.

**Philosophizer** · 12/08/2021, 9:58 PM

Yep it's really all about the Champions path these days. It's a much more favourable route than the others.

**yurt** · 12/08/2021, 10:05 PM

Bonkers watching an Irish team be able to go at a Dutch team like that towards the end. I felt they deserved the equalizer for much many openings they managed to create in the last 15.

Dummigan MOM for me. He was quality in defense and attack from start to finish.

All I wanted from the games today was for Bohs and Dundalk to be in with a shout until the final whistle and for Rovers to qualify, so I got good value for money from my 30 quid.

Rovers the only team left now as expected. Can only assume the Estonians will be better then the crowd they beat today but you'd have to say it'll be a massive opportunity missed if they don't get to the groups at this stage.

As was said months ago its all about the luck of the draw in Europe and this year has been as close to as soft as they come. They'll get done with tough draws more often than not which is what so important to capitalize this time around. Getting to the groups will be massive for their club seeding too and mean they be would be seeded for the UCL next year.

**pineapple stu** · 12/08/2021, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by sbgawa

Great chance to make group stages now, 50/50 shot with a lot of exciting teams to look forward to drawing if we make it

I know you'll naturally try not jinx things, but you can't look at a tie against Estonian opposition as 50/50. Ok, they took Omonia to penalties, have had some respectable defeats against decent teams, and are the dominant team there, so they'll probably be better than the side Dundalk scraped past. But the Estonian league at 53rd in the rankings is the same as the Faroese league last year when Dundalk met KÍ. Rovers will be favourites and rightly so, especially with the June blip in form sorted.

**sbgawa** · 12/08/2021, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

I know you'll naturally try not jinx things, but you can't look at a tie against Estonian opposition as 50/50. Ok, they took Omonia to penalties, have had some respectable defeats against decent teams, and are the dominant team there, so they'll probably be better than the side Dundalk scraped past. But the Estonian league at 53rd in the rankings is the same as the Faroese league last year when Dundalk met KÍ. Rovers will be favourites and rightly so, especially with the June blip in form sorted.

Bitter experience over 40 years following Rovers makes me skeptical of anything.
Compared to having to beat Partizan Belgrade to make groups in 2011 its a massive chance thast for sure

**Knocklyonhoop** · 12/08/2021, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by ger121

On a side note. TNS blew that over 2 legs. 4-0 up after 85 minutes of 1st leg. Finishes 4-2. 5-3 up on agg after 85 minutes of 2nd leg and concede 2. Lose 4-1 on penalties. Talk about one that got away…

Some bottling there x 2