So we'll just do all the coefficient work again this year? Feel free to chip in at any time...
Didn't see either game, but does it seem like you'd still expect both sides to go through, but Rosenborg and Dudelange might be a bit much in the second round?
Dundalk's luck in the draw is still holding at least and you'd hope they'd have too much for a Tallinn side they (and Cork) beat home and away a couple of years ago. (I'm assuming they're through at this stage; not even Longford could throw away that lead...)
So we'll just do all the coefficient work again this year? Feel free to chip in at any time...
Anyone able to find or access any link for highlights or just the goals of the European games played this week?
UEFA Champions League
Slovan Bratislava 2 Shamrock Rovers 0
UEFA Europa Conference League
Dundalk 4 Newtown 0
FH Hafnarfjordur 1 Sligo Rovers 0
Stjarnan 1 Bohemians 1
Well true I guess. Though the LoI record against Estonian sides is very good - only one defeat in 12 matches (back in 2004). You'd certainly be disappointed if Dundalk went out - Levadia lost to a Faroes side last season, and even 3-1 at home to a Gibraltar side last night isn't a great result - but if it happened, I suppose it wouldn't be the first time Dundalk disappointed this season.
Going on the results last night, the new away goals rule benefits the teams more this round around.
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
They earned their seeding, but they've still gotten lucky in the draws. Newtown - easiest side in the first round pool. Estonia/Gibraltar in the second round - could have been Elfsborg or Dunajska Streda, and probably the Hungarian team would have been a tougher draw than the Estonians too. Last year is well documented too of course.
Nothing wrong with getting lucky in the draw of course, but may as well acknowledge it when it happens.
True but then the horror draws also need acknowledgment, Rosenborg with no parachute and there was the width of the bar in that in the end, BATE x 2, Hadjuk and Levski, Qarabag and Slovan are no slouches, Larnaca turned out to be a horror draw. Even with those sides most occasions a minimum result was managed, it laid the platform for more regular 'easy draw' subsequently. These things, like refereeing decisions, tend to balance out over time so rest assured we will get Roma or their ilk!
They do - which is why I said Dundalk's luck was holding, as opposed to saying Dundalk were always lucky or some such
Ok, but there are no shortage of people who do think its all luck and forget the making of your own luck part - actually I think the club's owners have lost sight of that, the value built in seeding, where it is now, could continue to be built upon and carry some more of that luck in to later rounds more often, keeping the bean counters happier rather than cut and run at what could or should be the peak potential (so far for an Irish club ever) of getting the ever increasing slice of European participation spoils. Anyways, finish this tie off, win in QR2, lucky draw QR3, surge in to the top league top 3, win the cup again and everyone can hop back on the bandwagon in 2022.
Tonight's game on telly/online ?
LOI TV showing all the Irish clubs' games in Europe - but it's 'Premium Content', so you'll have to pay a tenner. Or go to Rovers website.
Dundalk seen out the tie with a 1-0 away win.
Or co-efficient badly requires a few wins. Although it makes no material difference and there's some mitigating circumstances (previous years qualifying rounds for lowest leagues) to how it's happened but being ranked 48/55 European leagues is a terrible look.
Rovers game on in the usual place.
Given themselves a chance! Must be one of the few leagues where old enmities tend to go out the window this time of the year.
Not a bad first goal. Game on.
Well, it must be said that Paul O'Shea is very quiet tonight... he must have been so fearful and worried after last week that he couldn't get out of bed.
Just as well there's no away goals, eh?
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