Europa League / Champions League qualifiers thread

[-james-]

lol rangers

[John]

Lol indeed. Utter shambles.

[-james-]

1-0 was just about a fair reflection in the first leg I thought, thought they'd get it together at least enough to grab a draw here.

[Spikey M]

I didn't even know Luxembourg had football teams. I'm assuming they're all part time bankers, window cleaners and benefit cheats?

[Waffdon]

Hahahahahahah

[Sam]

Lol scottish football.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Gahahahahahahahahaha.

[niko_cee]

Jean-Claude Juncker's 'avin' a party.

[Haystacks Horace]

What's happened?

[GS]

Meanwhile, Linfield are still holding on for a 0-0 draw that will cause Belfast to be shut down for a day next week.

Come on, you San Marinese goat herding cunts.

[Magic]

:harold: :drool:

Adamski

[GS]

For fuck sake.

[Magic]

:drool:

Hail hail.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I love this round of European ties. It's where the goats herd themselves.

[Raoul Duke]

Proper shambles of an effort there from Rangers. Comedy gold.

[Max Power]

That really is some effort. To lose a one off game is sort of fine, it happens. But to be done over two legs by the mighty Luxembourgians is really special.

[John]

I'd genuinely withhold wages from every player who took part over those two legs, and continue to do so until they appear in a game in which they show some semblance of desire, sack Pedro Caixinha and his mad rules with immediate effect, and punt Josh Windass into the North Sea.

Limassol will make us look like even bigger wankers when they cuff that lot thirteen nil over two legs in the next round. They're absolutely abysmal, we just somehow managed to be worse.

[Shindig]

I always think playing this early in the season makes anyone fair game.

[Sam]

Worst result in their five year history, is it not?

[Waffdon]

They were 2-0 and lost against Alloa.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've now got 'FC Progres Niederkorn' stuck in my head to the tune of this timeless classic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4kzGhDEURA

[Pleb]

Rangers :harold:

[John]

To highlight the complete gutlessness of tonight, club captain and current longest serving player Lee Wallace stayed in the dressing room and sent out twenty year old Jordan Rossiter to handle his media duties, apologising for the state of their performance. Beerman as first choice to start the season, please.

[ItalAussie]

Some of the most fun you can have in Europe is this round of ties.

[Shindig]

How does this compare to Celtic almost binning it against Gibraltar's lot?

[John]

It's a million times worse. They lost by one goal then murdered them in the return leg. We actually went out, and lost by two goals to a team of lollipop men.

[Magic]

Worst result in their five year history, is it not?

:henn0rz:

[Waffdon]

Terrible 24 hours for both Rangers and The Rangers.

[Weaver]

St Johnstone knocked out by FK Trakai of Lithuania tonight.

Crusaders out and Helsinki knocked out Connah's Quay as well.

[Giggles]

Our lot did ok. Rovers and Cork through.

[Magic]

St Johnstone knocked out by FK Trakai of Lithuania tonight.

Crusaders out and Helsinki knocked out Connah's Quay as well.

Are we surprised by this? Scottish football is getting worse, the quality of the youth is disgusting.

[Amigo]

I watched Valur play FK Ventspils earlier tonight.

The only thing worse than the weather was the quality of finishing.

Guðjohnsen's oldest son came off the bench and missed two sitters.

At least we won.

[Giggles]

Professionalism at its best.

https://www.facebook.com/AirtricityLeagueBanterPage/posts/1913722818641650

[Giggles]

Dundalk will be fucked going over to Rosenberg with a draw.

[Amigo]

Really good result for FH against Víkingur Gøta in the Champions League qualifiers.

Only one more round to go to guarantee Europa League group stages.

Maribor (or Zrinjski Mostar) up next.

[SincereTheRebel]

Dunalk are in extra time vs rosenberg after 1-1 at full time.

[Giggles]

Should have got a better result from the home leg. They were the better side.

EDIT: 2-1 now anyway.

[Amigo]

Valur and Domzale all tied up in Slovenia. 3-3 on aggregate.

[Spoonsky]

I watched Valur get smashed 4-1 at home, they must have gotten a lot better in the past three years?

[Trancemeister]

Östersund knocking out Galatasaray

[Amigo]

Fifteen minutes after typing this they concede two goals. Fuck.


I watched Valur get smashed 4-1 at home, they must have gotten a lot better in the past three years?
They appointed the former coach of the national team and brought in some decent players.

They're currently top of the table and look like the best side in Iceland by a decent margin.

[Giggles]

That's all our lot out with a whimper already. Poor enough after last year, but any talent is gone or going to Preston.

[Shindig]

In relative terms, do they come out of those sales looking minted?

[Giggles]

In relative terms, do they come out of those sales looking minted?

The sales to Preston? More often than not the clubs here can't even afford a contract longer than the 40-odd weeks the season runs, so they'll nearly always be free.

[Shindig]

Ouch. I guess most clubs are in the same boat.

[SincereTheRebel]

Rivaldo's son scored a a banger vs bilboa in the qualifiers

Cant embed tweets

890647919572942849

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ajax got punted by Nice last night on away goals (from the CL), and now PSV have gone for a burton vs Osijek. Dutch football should just give up.

Draw is tomorrow for the playoff rounds.

[John Arne]

Champions League Qualifiers;

Qarabag (AZE) v Kobenhavn (DEN)
APOEL (CYP) v Slavia Praha (CZE)
Olympiacos (GRE) v Rijeka (CRO)
Celtic (SCO) v Astana (KAZ)
Hapoel BS (ISR) v Maribor (SVN)
Basaksehir (TUR) v Sevilla (ESP)
Young Boys (SUI) v CSKA Moscow (RUS)
Napoli (ITA) v Nice (FRA)
Hoffenheim (GER) v Liverpool (ENG)
Sporting CP (POR) v FCSB (ROU)

[Gray Fox]

Probably the toughest team in our pot. Should be a good test.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That is a banana skin and a half for Jurgen the German.

[Kikó]

Super cup on Tuesday!

[Max Power]

Nice will feel a bit sore. Great season last year and draw Ajax and Napoli in the qualifiers.

[Amigo]

It'd be quite cool if a Gylfi Sigurðsson-led Everton were to play FH (his boyhood club) here in Iceland.

With that being said, they'll probably end up getting Salzburg (and subsequently trounced).

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nice will feel a bit sore. Great season last year and draw Ajax and Napoli in the qualifiers.

The system massively works against them and the Hoff as they have no coefficient to fall back on. Leicester would have suffered the same fate except for the 'champions as top seeds' rule, which propelled them to the last 8.

[phonics]

Didn't they change the way that works now so only certain leagues can draw each other and the baltics fight it out amongst themselves?

[John Arne]

It was a little bizarre. The 8 league winners were are one side of the draw (drawing each other), and the other 8 teams were on the other side of the draw - I guess with the idea of getting more (at least 4) league winners in the group stage. It just meant that basically the 8 usual top seeds (Liverpool, Hoffenheim, Sevilla etc.) were all going to draw each other.

[phonics]

I swear that was made specifically to thwart us, we used to just beat the shit out of Finland Park XI every year and then it changed and we got Udinese, PSV and friends.

[Amigo]

Ugh. Braga.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They made the change to a champions path and a non-champions path years ago. At least 5 years ago.

[-james-]

Celtic doing their absolute best to cock this up.

[Mazuuurk]

Motherfuckers.

[John]

Twumasi looks like a bit of a menace.

[niko_cee]

Astana paying the price for one of the worst goalkeeping performances I've ever seen last week.

[SincereTheRebel]

Astana paying the price for one of the worst goalkeeping performances I've ever seen last week.

Speaking on worst performances. Last week i watched in full, the brazil vs germany game at the last world cup. David luiz was a trainwreck that game. He should have been shot after that game.

[John]

Celtic away in Europe are a reliable mess. It's been that way under about eight different managers, so it must just be a characteristic of the club at this point.

[Waffdon]

Err, Rangers lost to a bunch of farmers.

[Pen]

To be fair to Celtic, Astana haven't lost to many at home. They're even worse away than Celtic though.

[John]

Err, Rangers lost to a bunch of farmers.

You're right. The fact that we were shite does mean no other club can be shite. Good point.

[Spikey M]

Sassy as fuck

[Waffdon]

You're right. The fact that we were shite does mean no other club can be shite. Good point.

:drool:

[John]

Dante has just pinged the sort of eighty yard pass he was playing four or five times a game for Bayern during that eighteen months where he looked like the best centre back around.

With Balotelli and Sneijder in their team too they're like a rehab centre.

[Mazuuurk]

Thats where he's from! Was trying to remember why I recognize that player.

[John]

I've never seen a defender so hesitant.

[Max Power]

Ahmed Musa turning in some sub-Ali Dia performance in the Carabao Cup right now.

[Magic]

Dante has just pinged the sort of eighty yard pass he was playing four or five times a game for Bayern during that eighteen months where he looked like the best centre back around.

With Balotelli and Sneijder in their team too they're like a rehab centre.

I lol'd, and I've only just realised I'm watching the fucking game. :D

Since when did these fuckers play for Nice?!

[Mazuuurk]

This game is really weird. It's maybe both teams most important game before Christmas, yet both teams look quite lacklustre. Especially Nice who just look completely off. Napoli is a lot better, granted - but Nice look like they aren't even willing to put in the work.

Then again, Sneijder and Balotelli etc, I guess.

[John]

Very impressed by Saint-Maximin. If he can learn to release his pass about three steps earlier he'll be a cracking player.

Napoli have spaffed about eight chances, probably seven of which were provided by Dante taking a fortnight to make his mind up any time he has to do anything.

[John]

I lol'd, and I've only just realised I'm watching the fucking game. :D

Since when did these fuckers play for Nice?!

No wonder you thought Lacazette was an eight foot tall lumberer.

Sneijder just signed but the other two were there last season.

[Mazuuurk]

Very impressed by Saint-Maximin. If he can learn to release his pass about three steps earlier he'll be a cracking player.

Napoli have spaffed about eight chances, probably seven of which were provided by Dante taking a fortnight to make his mind up any time he has to do anything.


Was thinking that as well, he's the only one in Nice that makes anything happen and seems quite good at it as well.

Kinda looks like the typical player that needs space to run on mind you. The kind that'll look great for a mid-table team in the PL but turn clueless when a top club eventually signs him and he has to face 8 man defences all season.

[John]

Istanbul Basaksehir have opened their own rehab clinic in the other game, with Clichy, Adebayor, and Belozoglu Emre playing.

[Mazuuurk]

Marek Hamsik looks like such a guy who beats women to compensate for having a tiny cock.

[Magic]

Marek Hamsik looks like such a guy who beats women to compensate for having a tiny cock.

Jealous of his hair clearly.

[Mazuuurk]

Yeah a bit. He has it in all the places I don't.

[John]

I'd missed Sevilla getting Ever Banega back for this season. What a signing that is, he ran their side.

[John]

Very close to some proper scenes in Seville there. Emre has smashed a free kick off the post which would have put Sevilla out.

Inler on the park now too to add to the rehab crew.

[John]

Moreno back in for Liverpool. There's no chance he manages two games in a row without a colossal balls up, so there's goals in it for Hoffenheim.

[SincereTheRebel]

Is firminho's teeth always been this white. Probably the first time ive seen them on a 4K TV. They look like piano keys

[Adamski]

That Liverpool midfield definitely needs signings. It's top 8 material.

[niko_cee]

It's better if you stick the two best midfielders they have in it (Lallana and Coutinho).

:(

[Boydy]

I still think a proper striker is needed. At least one who isn't on the physio table half the season.

[John Arne]

Two brilliant through balls by Firmino already.

[Reg]

That Liverpool midfield definitely needs signings. It's top 8 material.
I thought Wijnaldum was class whenever I saw them last season. The Liverpool midfield mainly just needs to run a lot anyway, right?

[Magic]

Lovely goal.

[John Arne]

This could be a bucket load.

[Boydy]

Nagelsmann looks like such a fucking dweeb.

[Magic]

Salah donning it as per my prediction.

[John]

Tactical sub after twenty five minutes. :D

This is a proper pasting.

[Magic]

Lol Moreno still first choice?

[John Arne]

Despite being 3-0 up, that Hoffenheim goal was coming. We still like so crap at the back.

[John Arne]

Lol Moreno still first choice?

Not really. He's playing because we have a pretty defensive 3 midfielders. When Lallana or Coutinho return - Milner will be back there, I suspect.

[Boydy]

Yeah if Hoffenheim were better at taking their chances this could be 3-3.

[Adamski]

I thought Wijnaldum was class whenever I saw them last season. The Liverpool midfield mainly just needs to run a lot anyway, right?

He's alright but wouldn't get a game for anyone else down to Everton.

They can do better.

[Manc]

Henderson looks off the pace and out of place.

[Adamski]

Henderson looks off the pace and out of place.

Is this your first Liverpool game?

[Boydy]

Oh dear god, what is Lallana doing with his hair and beard. :sick:

[niko_cee]

He's alright but wouldn't get a game for anyone else down to Everton.


How many of the Liverpool team would?

Thankfully, that's not how football works.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Tottenham and Liverpool both in pot 3, could get some whopper groups. Thankfully everyone in pot 4 is dog turd with the possible exception of Sporting and Stasi Leipzig.

[CJay]

That was enjoyable. Bring on crashing out to Basel in November. Should be plenty of goals in our group matches anyway.

I love Firmino more than any Liverpool player since Alonso, I think.

[Shindig]

This season's going to be agony.

[Gray Fox]

Firmino was ridiculous tonight.

Good to see a pretty dominating win over a reasonably good European team.

[niko_cee]

Hopefully that odd release clause that was mooted by the Panama Papers isn't real.

[Mike]

Our seasons lads

https://i.imgur.com/FhNeDGb.gif

[Giggles]

Isn't it always?

[Mike]

Until next month, heck yes :D

[randomlegend]

Just watching the Liverpool highlights.

Whilst they are clearly nice going forwards, their style of defending was an absolute bomb scare. If they play like that against someone like Madrid they'll lose about 10-3.

I am basing this on only having watched them once, however.

[Boydy]

Just watching the Liverpool highlights.

Whilst they are clearly nice going forwards, their style of defending was an absolute bomb scare. If they play like that against someone like Madrid they'll lose about 10-3.

I am basing this on only having watched them once, however.

You might only have seen them once but you're absolutely right.

[CJay]

You might only have seen them once but you're absolutely right.

I dunno, we seem to be better against the bigger teams - as evidenced by our record against the top 6 last season. I don't think our defending is any less madcap than the last two seasons under Klopp, really. We definitely need to defend better, though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They could finish 2nd, 40 points behind United.

[phonics]

I warn the Liverpool fans against the idea of 'shoring up'. We did that after a couple of exciting years and now I'm not even sure what we do well.

The individual errors never go away so just go with it.

[niko_cee]

Defending is for losers (well, winners but meh). Fuck that and embrace the madness.

[SincereTheRebel]

When they had SAS, they were great going forward, but conceded 50 league goals that one season which cost them the league and saurez tears.

[niko_cee]

That should probably just read "when they had Saurez(sic)" but wasn't it technically SASAS?

[Lewis]

United have a load of rubbish (in theory) until they play Liverpool, so I bet the tactics board is already up with eight defenders on it. :drool:

[Giggles]

That should probably just read "when they had Saurez(sic)" but wasn't it technically SASAS?

Who was the third S?

[niko_cee]

Young Raheem.

[Lewis]

South Yorkshire Police.

[Giggles]

Ah shit yeah.

[niko_cee]

We're bound to draw Barcelona.

The way the Champion's seeding things works now it's almost worse to win your league. There's more crap in pot 1 than pot 2.

[Gray Fox]

Madrid, PSG, Liverpool and Sporting/RBL is probably as tough as it can get.

We will undoubtedly get Barcelona and Liepzig though just for the grudge matches.

[John Arne]

1/4 of the Premier League will be playing in the Champions League this season. Weird.

[John Arne]

Draws is taking place now on uefa.com.

[Gray Fox]

Chelsea get Atletico.
United get Benfica.

I'd take group G right now.

[Lewis]

How do I have Sky Sports but not Eurosport? Other than die-hard sumo fans, who would specifically ask for it in their 'bundle'?

[John Arne]

Porto (first out of pot 2) weren't allowed to be drawn in Group A (ok, Benfica), B, C or D...

[SvN]

This is proper Eurovision stuff.

[Foe]

I apparently have it. Who's the absolute babe in the black dress?

[Gray Fox]

Liverpool about to get fisted by this draw. Only 2/5 remaining options are good.

[randomlegend]

How do I have Sky Sports but not Eurosport? Other than die-hard sumo fans, who would specifically ask for it in their 'bundle'?

It's on the 'entertainment' package rather than the sports package. My mum wanted it for the cycling, but that package was about an extra £80 a month, which is an absolute lolfest.

[randomlegend]

Porto (first out of pot 2) weren't allowed to be drawn in Group A (ok, Benfica), B, C or D...

How come?

[Mike]

It's not very streamlined is it.

[Mike]

Phew!!

[Spoonsky]

I was certain Liverpool would be in with Barcelona and Juventus there.

Another opportunity for Alberto Moreno's sabotage defense at Sevilla.

[Gray Fox]

Tottenham got our bullet there.

We could even make it out of that group.

[SvN]

Spurs :D

[Spoonsky]

These groups seem a lot more stacked than in previous years to me.

[Lewis]

lol at Tottenham. At least they might pack Wembley out a couple of times.

[mugbull]

I honestly don't think we have a better chance of getting out of a Sevilla/Moscow group than a Real/Dortmund group, so I'm all for the latter and the *big nights*

[randomlegend]

Lol, Chelsea and Tottenham getting absolutely shafted.

[Spoonsky]

You going to any Spurs games mokbull?

[randomlegend]

That Group G is horrendous.

[Waffdon]

How are Atletico second seeds?

[Lewis]

Richard Scudamore will have fixed this for the Manchester clubs.

[Lewis]

Celtic fucked as well lol.

[mugbull]

You going to any Spurs games mokbull?

Lol not a chance, shit's hundreds of pounds to sit about 400 rows away from the pitch. I'm gonna try to see a Championship game while i'm here though.

[Boydy]

Liverpool should be topping that group with ease.

Probably end up in the Europa League then.

[phonics]

Porto (first out of pot 2) weren't allowed to be drawn in Group A (ok, Benfica), B, C or D...

First four groups play Tuesday, second four play Wednesdsay.

[randomlegend]

Considering Liverpool are third seeds they've got an extremely kind draw.

[Spikey M]

Lol not a chance, shit's hundreds of pounds to sit about 400 rows away from the pitch. I'm gonna try to see a Championship game while i'm here though.

They're at Wembley, it'll be normal prices if anything

[Waffdon]

That Group G is horrendous.

Liverpool and Man Utd's are arguably worse.

[randomlegend]

First four groups play Tuesday, second four play Wednesdsay.

So they aren't allowed to play on the same night as Benfica?

[randomlegend]

Liverpool and Man Utd's are arguably worse.

No they aren't.

[mugbull]

They're at Wembley, it'll be normal prices if anything

You're right actually. Hmm.

[niko_cee]

I hadn't realised we were in the Europa league.

Wait, what?

[niko_cee]

How are Atletico second seeds?

Didnee win the league.

[Gray Fox]

How are Atletico second seeds?

New seeding system means the top 7 leagues winner go straight into pot 1, along with the Europa League winners. It reduces to 6 in case the Champions League winners dont also win their league.

So unless you win one of Europes top 7 leagues/Europa you can't make pot 1. It's why Leicester didn't get completely fisted by their draw.

[Waffdon]

No they aren't.



Okay, Guvnor

[-james-]

So they aren't allowed to play on the same night as Benfica?

No, because telly.

[Disco]

Richard Scudamore will have fixed this for the Manchester clubs.

Someone has a short memory.

[phonics]

So they aren't allowed to play on the same night as Benfica?

Yeah it's a TV thing.

[randomlegend]

New seeding system means the top 7 leagues winner go straight into pot 1, along with the Europa League winners. It reduces to 6 in case the Champions League winners dont also win their league.

So unless you win one of Europes top 7 leagues/Europa you can't make pot 1. It's why Leicester didn't get completely fisted by their draw.

We won the Europa and were pot 2?

[niko_cee]

It's the league winners from the top 7 leagues + the holder.

As Real won the league as well it then went to the champions of the 8th placed league (Ukraine) - wafer only gets you into the group stages, not a pot 1 seeding.

[Boydy]

Yeah it's a TV thing.

I thought it was a security thing where there couldn't be two European games in the same city on the same night?

[John Arne]

They also kept Russian and Ukrainian teams apart. Putin and all that.

[John Arne]

900456499151024128

[phonics]

I thought it was a security thing where there couldn't be two European games in the same city on the same night?

Considering Porto are based in Porto and Benfica are based in Lisbon, I doubt it.

[SincereTheRebel]

900456499151024128

I lold

[phonics]

I'd almost be willing to remove the parody clause of copyright if it would mean an end to Vines that were just movie clips with a badly photoshopped head on it.

[Max Power]

Turkish football really deserves more stick. Football mad country, national team is dogshit. League is the most corrupt going. Their big clubs chuck huuuuge money at all manner of 'stars' and yet Fenerbahce are getting ole-d as they crumble out of Europe to a team from Macedonia.

Yes I bet on Fenerbahce and I'm a bit peeved. But still...

[Bernanke]

Östersund. :cool:

[Lewis]

I would say Turkey does alright bearing in mind that the place is shit and you would have to be mental to go and play there (still bettered us internationally over the past twenty years). It's probably where English football would be if literally nothing about the country had changed since 1992.

[Waffdon]

Someone link Sigurdsson's goal. Am too lazy. Just scored a 40 yard volley falling over.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41041961

Lol at Leicester trying to own their own FEC.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

900811371293573120

[Max Power]

True though.

[SincereTheRebel]

Rosenberg have just scored in the 88th minute to make it 3-2. B52 with the first goal for rosenberg. They have some fast winger who scored a great solo goal at the end

[Mike]

For betting, I'm rooting for an Everton goal and I feel dirty.

[Mike]

They're a bit boring.

[Amigo]

What a fucking goal by Gylfi.

[Boydy]

I would say Turkey does alright bearing in mind that the place is shit and you would have to be mental to go and play there (still bettered us internationally over the past twenty years). It's probably where English football would be if literally nothing about the country had changed since 1992.

Something to thank Tony Blair for.

[Lewis]

Never.

[Adramelch]

Rosenberg have just scored in the 88th minute to make it 3-2. B52 with the first goal for rosenberg. They have some fast winger who scored a great solo goal at the end

That guy scored 3 of their 4 goals in the tie. Not a bad way to introduce himself.

Bilbao scored a very lovely goal:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N6Fp_yAKIk

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://streamable.com/lu14h

Better version of Gyfli's goal.

[Reg]

Looks a good chance of there being 4 English teams in the 2nd round of the CL, even with Spurs' bastard of a draw. I think this is the year when we'll have an English team in the semis again, and a couple in the quarters.

[Jimmy Floyd]

lol at that draw, we can't sell Costa now.

Not sure who the fuck Qarabag are but I guess we'll soon find out.

[Lewis]

Everyone other than Tottenham should be getting through (City and United should piss their groups), but you could see Liverpool fucking up on the road enough not to.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We will get tipped to lose to Roma, and then atomise them home and away.

Liverpool will piss through, Spartak are absolute guff.

[Lewis]

Good Side, Roma. They have a Good Side.

[ItalAussie]

Just once, ever, could we get an easy group?

[Gray Fox]

Try not winning the league 6 times on the run you selfish bastards.

[ItalAussie]

Try not winning the league 6 times on the run you selfish bastards.:D

I reckon this is the year someone else nicks it.

[Magic]

We will get tipped to lose to Roma, and then atomise them home and away.

Liverpool will piss through, Spartak are absolute guff.

Agreed now they've sold Salah. At least Radja is still there.

[-james-]

lol at "Europa League Player of the Season "

[-james-]

http://i.imgur.com/YivQ7sw.png


:happycry:

[phonics]

We've basically got a tour of eastern Europe.

[-james-]

Everton's group is harder than United's.

[John]

Not sure who the fuck Qarabag are but I guess we'll soon find out.

Celtic played them in a qualifier a couple of years ago. I'm sure they had to be threatened with UEFA sanctions to stop them carrying out the ritualistic slaughter of a sheep before the game.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Wiki gives them a refreshing lack of tattooed mixed race Brazilians (who utterly dominate world football outside the big leagues) but a couple of random Spaniards, eastern med journeyman Dino Ndlovu, and 'Wilde-Donald Guerrier'. Haiti may lag behind in some respects, but in terms of great names it leads the world.

[John]

Bigging up Haiti probably isn't a bad way to get Sincere off your back.

[mugbull]

Spain just called up David Villa, fresh off his successes at New York City FC

[bruhnaldo]

MLS :drool:

[Adramelch]

Their striker choices have always been abysmal outside the few big names.

In other news AEK got back to Europe (proper) and even though we were 4th seed we got a group of Milan, Austria Vienna and Rijeka. Can't complain.

[Weaver]

Coutinho in and Clyne out, Ibrahimovic in, Costa out, Janssen out of the Champions League squads announced today. These can be amended again after the Group Stage.

[Baz]

Trent. :cool:

[Danny]

How bad is Clyne's injury? Jesus.

[John Arne]

Probably banned for coke.

[Danny]

Ah the old Wilshere injury

[Waffdon]

Same with Eric Lamela.

[CJay]

I always thought Rosicky was the original.

[Giggles]

Would it not be a whole lot cheaper to just re-lay the pitch 2 or 3 times a season after the NFL games?

https://www.balls.ie/football/spurs-jigsaw-pitch-373137

[Giggles]

Seedings are out.

Derry City Vs The Rangers needs to happen :drool:

[phonics]

Would it not be a whole lot cheaper to just re-lay the pitch 2 or 3 times a season after the NFL games?

https://www.balls.ie/football/spurs-jigsaw-pitch-373137

Relaying it requires the roots to go back into the turf so needs more time otherwise you have the turf coming up underneath you like they did after the last NFL game. IIRC this retractable thing is what the Emirates does (or they build it on top of a platform or something) which always gets top ratings.

[Giggles]

:cool:

1020030016678256643

[Shindig]

Pity Derry couldn't squeak through. The Hibs match sounds a bit daft.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I see the new format gives Cork at least a very good chance of getting into the Europa group stages.

[Giggles]

I see the new format gives Cork at least a very good chance of getting into the Europa group stages.

Not if they put on another pair of shitshows like they did against Legia, but yeah it looks better than previously.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I can't wait for the Europa League. I might even go to our home group games (I never go these days as going to Chelsea regularly is basically like burning bank notes all evening). The pokier random teams we get drawn against, the better. Would love a Cork City, or some Armenian side, or whatever.

[John]

We've got some Croatians up next, fully expect that to be the end of it.

[Giggles]

I see the new format gives Cork at least a very good chance of getting into the Europa group stages.

That didn't go well.


1021346566773329920

[Jimmy Floyd]

Rosenborg nearly lost to some Icelanders the other day, every chance of doing them.

[Giggles]

Was just looking at Dundalks possible opponents if they beat Larnaca too and I had never realised Burnley were in this (playing Aberdeen apparently).

[Giggles]

Ajax or Sturm Graz for Dundalk if they come through against the Cypriots. No group stages this year then, but it'll at least mean the fixtures for the end of the season won't be a total mess like last year.

[John]

Rosenborg's new manager got the bin from Twente a couple of years ago after maybe the worst preseason ever. He was in charge for six weeks and managed them to a loss against St Kitts & Nevis and St Vincent.

They'll be very beatable.

[Giggles]

Even still, they're a fair step above our teams though. Even Dundalk.

[ItalAussie]

We basically have to win the thing in the next two seasons. Three, tops.

[Giggles]

Dundalk are playing like shit.

[Giggles]

Hoban just got sent off for a second yellow and then told to come back on and given his first yellow. He probably would have been better off tonight.

[Pen]

John How is Morelos doing for you? I saw he scored yesterday. Didn’t he have a good fall last season too and then didn’t score almost at all in Spring?

[Adamski]

John How is Morelos doing for you? I saw he scored yesterday. Didn’t he have a good fall last season too and then didn’t score almost at all in Spring?

That’s pretty much it yeah. Great first half, poor second half with lots of missed chances. Had his head turned by a supposed £8m offer from China and never looked the same player.

He was poor in the first two games this year, but was excellent last night. He’s a bit of a conundrum, but he’s young and cost under a million. Scored about 20 goals last season.

[Adramelch]

The Greek teams had 2 proper FM games yesterday. Asteras were 2 goals up at Hibs after an hour of play and ended up losing 3-2 and Atromitos were losing 4-0 with 20 minutes to go and managed to score 3.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I can only imagine the silky, one touch football that was doubtless on display at Aberdeen 1 Burnley 1.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I don't think any Greek fan travelled to see the Hibs game. When we drove near the stadium yesterday it was just pure green.

[Adramelch]

I don't think any Greek fan travelled to see the Hibs game. When we drove near the stadium yesterday it was just pure green.

Ye I highly doubt it. If anything, it would be like 50 people or something. There should be some of them that live in Scotland though.

[-james-]

I was at Celtic park on Wednesday. There were no more than twenty five Rosenberg fans in the away end, but I did see a guy wearing a Greek flag on the way out.

[-james-]

I'm quite in love with Kristoffer Ajer. The best Norwegian on the pitch by quite a bit.

[Giggles]

Haven't seen Dundalk play as badly in about five years.

[-james-]

Taking in the delights of Slovan Bratislava vs Balzan and the home fans have just given Balzan's black forward a round of monkey chants. I wonder if anything will come of it.

[Amigo]

I saw Valur play Santa Coloma (Andorran side) yesterday.

How we managed to lose the first leg will forever remain a mystery since they are quite possibly the worst footballing side I have ever seen. They honestly would not look out of place in the Icelandic third tier.

They didn't even attempt to play football in the first half. It was just timewasting, feigning injury and crowding the ref at every opportunity. It looked like they had taken a leaf from Panama's book at the World Cup.

Anyway, Valur's win means that they are the only Icelandic side left in Europe this year. We get Sheriff Tiraspol in the next round and they look somewhat beatable, on paper at least.

[Giggles]

Dundalk needn't feel too bad after all, Larnaca did Sturm Graz 7-0.

[SincereTheRebel]

Burnley :drool:

[Giggles]

Eleven Sports are showing Burnley v Olympiakos on Thursday.