LoI in Europe 2024

**Calcio Jack** · 17/02/2025, 10:15 PM

Less than 800 tickets left for Thursday ( around 2,000 sold today) so looking like a sell out

**Acornvilla** · 20/02/2025, 9:16 AM

I hope the big event at the weekend/injuries and suspensions don't take too much out of them. Sell out crowd and a huge opportunity tonight. Obviously much more optimistic on Rovers' chances than I would have been before the first leg, hopefully Molde are still a bit rusty too

**legendz** · 20/02/2025, 10:35 AM

There will be a reaction from Molde. No doubt about that. The Rovers manager knows that. Rovers will have to cope with that threat.

**EatYerGreens** · 20/02/2025, 2:14 PM

Apparently tonight is officially a sell out. Well done Rovers if so.

**pateen** · 20/02/2025, 2:26 PM

A good few big names out tonight. Hopefully they can do it

**SRFC** · 20/02/2025, 4:29 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Plenty of others - Sligo beat Viking Stavanger in 2022 (having lost 5-1 away), Rovers knocked out Brann in 2019 (arguably Bradley's only other good European result), Dundalk took Rosenborg to extra time after two draws in 2017, and Athlone beat Valerenga in 1975 to set up that tie with AC Milan.

Technically, UCD beat Molde 2-1 in European competition too in 2017, losing by the same score in Molde and going out on penalties (Haaland scoring one)

Great result for Rovers though. Not the first time a nicely-timed red card has helped either - Pat's were facing ten men in the first half in Azerbaijan too. The goal was a complete mess - seems to be happening more often at the other end lately though.

Are we allowed say it's Legia Warsaw or Cercle Brugge next?

Insane statement to make
1-1 draw away to Rapid who have a squad 10 times the value of Rovers
1-1 draw home to Apoel with 10 men for 40 mins
Beating Celje and Vikingur (even allowing for a missed peno) over two legs. Both teams who have qualified for the playoff round drew 2-2 and won 2-1 respectively in the first leg
Beating Shkupi and Teuta home and away - not often a LOI team does that
Beating Larne and TNS - not a great standard, but how often have LOI teams failed to beat teams they are better than

If those aren't good results by your standards, you must be able to count "good" LOI european results on your fingers

**Dermobohs** · 20/02/2025, 7:08 PM

I think they will, strong starting 11, though I have major doubts about lopes’ lack of pace and Grant as wing back. Two big areas to cover .

**yurt** · 20/02/2025, 7:42 PM

I really hope for them can can go on and do it now. They've earned themselves a hell of a lot of airtime this week between Noonan, the aviva and Bradley's FAI criticism, would be great if they can capitalise and keep Irish football on the back pages for another couple of weeks if this run continues.

Feels like the first 15 minutes will be very important. If they can get a solid start I think they'll grow into the game. Concede from a mistake in the first few minutes and it's hard to see them bouncing back.

**ger121** · 20/02/2025, 7:52 PM

Not much on the bench though.

**pineapple stu** · 20/02/2025, 7:54 PM

Yeah, really weak bench alright. Greene (who's 35) the only trusted option?

Bazunu there - and McDermott the opposition sub keeper.

This on telly anywhere btw?

**ger121** · 20/02/2025, 7:59 PM

I see Borac went through. Be funny to see them, Rovers and Vikingur in the last 16.

**2 Year Contract** · 20/02/2025, 8:04 PM

Originally Posted by ger121

Not much on the bench though.

Mad isn’t it? There's 3 keepers named on the bench and even then there’s still 3 empty spaces on the bench. Greene the only senior outfield player. A few Ireland underage youth players there but they’ve no senior experience at all

**ger121** · 20/02/2025, 8:09 PM

Originally Posted by 2 Year Contract

Mad isn’t it? There's 3 keepers named on the bench and even then there’s still 3 empty spaces on the bench. Greene the only senior outfield player. A few Ireland underage youth players there but they’ve no senior experience at all

Injuries, suspensions and player turnover have really taken a toll.

**pineapple stu** · 20/02/2025, 8:12 PM

Hm - 1-0 down already.

Huge task all of a sudden now - you really don't see that bench making any difference if they're chasing a goal in the last 30