Europa League 2017/18

[epic73]

We've also signed O'Connor, the Cork left back, joining us at the end of this month.

He was decent too, in the second half I was usually about five meters away from him (I was in the front row).

 

[Dirk]

I did go, and he was absolutely amazing. He was very fast and clearly knew what to do and when to do it. I think he'll do well in the Championship, by far the best player in the Irish league and wouldn't be surprised to see him playing for Ireland and/or in the Premier League in the next few years. Dooley and Sheppard were both very good as well.

Hey, epic. Quite the globetrotter. A few weeks ago in Japan, now in Ireland.

btw: Maybe you'll visit Germany too sometimes. Unfortunately we have actually "your" shitty president here in Germany and even in Hamburg, at the G20 summit. You won't believe how unpopular he's here (no other US president was so unpopular here. Quite an achievement in not even half a year. He's at #2 in the unpopular foreign politicians list here (behind Putin (the russians are traditionally on #1, exept Gorbatschow). Not even the daft G.W Bush has reached #2 )

 

[mistermagic]

Das ist kein Politische Dialog, Dirk! Diese Bemerkung ist nicht wilkommen!

We need to resume our German conversations...

 

[Dirk]

Das ist kein Politische Dialog, Dirk! Diese Bemerkung ist nicht wilkommen!

Not bad, mm. Only 2 faults, "willkommen" and "politischer" in this case (just a little tit for tat response)

 

[mistermagic]

 

[DarkSithLord]

Whats happened to Galastasaray? Surprised to see them in the Europa at this stage and went down 2-0 away to a Swedish side making their European debut?

 

[DarkSithLord]

Aberdeen ahead. Ryan Christie with the goal.

 

[epic73]

Cork City 0-0, grandad's birthday so couldn't go to the match

 

[DarkSithLord]

1-1 draw for Aberdeen then. Sigh. Cannot see them getting through somehow.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Full Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round draw

Everton drawn against Brann from Norway who they thrashed 8-1 in the 2006 Uefa Cup or Ruzomberok or Slovakia.

PSV Eindhoven (NED) v Osijek (CRO) or Luzern (SUI)
Norrköping (SWE) or Trakai (LTU) v Shkëndija (MKD) or HJK Helsinki (FIN)
Krasnodar (RUS) v Slovan Bratislava (SVK) or Lyngby (DEN)
Sturm Graz (AUT) or Mladost Podgorica (MNE) v Fenerbahçe (TUR)
Panathinaikos (GRE) v Gabala (AZE) or Jagiellonia Białystok (POL)
Shamrock Rovers (IRL) or Mladá Boleslav (CZE) v Kairat Almaty (KAZ) or Skënderbeu (ALB)
Austria Wien (AUT) v Progrès Niederkorn (LUX) or AEL Limassol (CYP)
Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) v Vaduz (LIE) or Odd (NOR)
Dinamo București (ROU) v Athletic Club (ESP)
Olimpik Donetsk (UKR) v PAOK (GRE)
Arka Gdynia (POL) v Ferencváros (HUN) or Midtjylland (DEN)
Östersunds (SWE) or Galatasaray (TUR) v İnter Bakı (AZE) or Fola Esch (LUX)
Bordeaux (FRA) v Nõmme Kalju (EST) or Videoton (HUN)
Maccabi Tel-Aviv (ISR) or KR Reykjavík (ISL) v Panionios (GRE) or Gorica (SVN)
Valletta (MLT) or Utrecht (NED) v Haugesund (NOR) or Lech Poznań (POL)
CSU Craiova (ROU) v AC Milan (ITA)
Brøndby (DEN) or VPS Vaasa (FIN) v Hajduk Split (CRO) or Levski Sofia (BUL)
Gent (BEL) v Altach (AUT) or Dinamo Brest (BLR)
Astra Giurgiu (ROU) or Zirë (AZE) v Olexandriya (UKR)
Everton (ENG) v Ružomberok (SVK) or Brann (NOR)
Aberdeen (SCO) or Široki Brijeg (BIH) v Apollon Limassol (CYP) or Zaria Balti (MDA)
Irtysh Pavlodar (KAZ) or Crvena zvezda (SRB) v Sparta Praha (CZE)
Beitar Jerusalem (ISR) or Botev Plovdiv (BUL) v Marítimo (POR)
Zenit (RUS) v Trenčín (SVK) or Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv (ISR)
Marseille (FRA) v Oostende (BEL)
Freiburg (GER) v Valur Reykjavík (ISL) or Domžale (SVN)
Cork City (IRL) or AEK Larnaca (CYP) v Rabotnicki (MKD) or Dinamo Minsk (BLR)
Željeznicar (BIH) or AIK (SWE) v Braga (POR)
Liepāja (LVA) or Sūduva (LTU) v Sion (SUI

 

[epic73]

Cork City (IRL) or AEK Larnaca (CYP) v Rabotnicki (MKD) or Dinamo Minsk (BLR)

Good draw if we go through, would hate to face Everton or AC Milan.

 

[Smudge]

Currently looking for cheap ways to get to Bergen/ Ruzomberok with about a week's notice...

 

[mistermagic]

Easysjet/Ryanair should be able to help. I hope you have a decent stint in the EL just like you did last time. It's good to have match-going fans.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

I don't think any of the Scottish sides want to qualify this year, Aberdeen will probably go out in their away leg like St Johnstone in the first round. Everton should go all the way through to the group stage, then again I said that about West Ham last season and they were knocked out by Astra.

 

[Smudge]

I don't think any of the Scottish sides want to qualify this year, Aberdeen will probably go out in their away leg like St Johnstone in the first round. Everton should go all the way through to the group stage, then again I said that about West Ham last season and they were knocked out by Astra.

Toughest aspect of the draw is that should we play Brann, they are in the middle of their season, while we will have only played 3 pre season games before the first leg. Obviously we should have superior quality, but there's no way you can underestimate superior match fitness. It is often quite telling with teams who play summer leagues, that at certain times of the season, they will be much tougher than normal, while at others, they will be a considerably easier touch.

 

[Super_horns]

Now this was the Sun so might not be very true but it suggested Wenger might just play the kids in the Europa league so he can concentrate on the league..

Sounds like its down to you Everton to fly the flag then!

 

[mistermagic]

Now this was the Sun so might not be very true but it suggested Wenger might just play the kids in the Europa league so he can concentrate on the league..

Sounds like its down to you Everton to fly the flag then!

This wouldn't surprise me.

 

[DarkSithLord]

So Everton will face Ruzomberok of Slovakia in the 3rd Qualifying Round after they beat Brann 2-1 on agg.

Quite a romantic story developing with Ostersunds of Sweden 3-0 up on aggregate against the might of Galastaray.

They have a British manager, former York defender Graham Potter who have brought in a number of British players including Jamie Hopcutt.

There is a article here on him and Ostersunds rise from the Swedish regional leagues to Europe.

http://thesetpieces.com/interviews/...sh-midfielder-jamie-hopcutt-hopes-finish-job/

 

[JimJams]

Now this was the Sun so might not be very true but it suggested Wenger might just play the kids in the Europa league so he can concentrate on the league..

I dont think he'll need to play kids. Players like Wilshere, Elneny, Chambers, Holding (unless he's first choice ina 3 at the back), Ospina, Gabriel, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Iwobi, Perez etc will all want/need games.
Unless of course Arsenal get an injury crisis. Which wouldn't be like them.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Finally a bit of positivity for Scottish football?

Two goals in 5 minutes has Aberdeen in control in Bosnia.

10 minutes left.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Aberdeen win.
Through to face Apollon Limassol of Cyprus

 

[epic73]

Both Irish teams out as well as Dundalk in the Champions League

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Didn't think Aberdeen were going to pull that one out, big confidence booster for the next round which will be tougher.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Surprised to see PSV slip to a 1-0 home loss to Osijek from Croatia

 

[Smudge]

Tough game tonight, as I said there was a definite gulf in fitness there. Wasted some good chances to extend the lead once we got the breakthrough, but overall it's hard to be too disappointed with getting the win and not conceding that away goal.

 

[Khukri]

Whats happened to Galastasaray? Surprised to see them in the Europa at this stage and went down 2-0 away to a Swedish side making their European debut?

They are managed by Igor Tudor. That's a red nose on a raindeer when it comes to football.....explained in details. Treasured jolly companion beloved if children are considered....orchard ruining vermin if anyone else is asked. In the end the result is always the same....deer gets shot, cooked and served while children are told that it was given up to the relatives who own the forrest....

 

[Super_horns]

Everton playing for a 0-0 - not really had much of an attacking threat.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Everton playing for a 0-0 - not really had much of an attacking threat.

Calvert- Levin scored in the final 10 minutes in the end. Underwhelmed by the performance over the two legs. Dont feel like they are taking the competition that seriously.

Aberdeen out at this stage AGAIN. Fourth or fifth year in a row I think.

 

[JimJams]

A lot of clubs don't take it seriously at this stage. Fielded a strong team but probably didn't want players overdoing it and to treat it like a preseason friendly.

 

[Super_horns]

PSV lost - surprise there.

Mean while (sorry Smart - wasn't very clear) Celtic left to fly the European flag for Scotland again.

When was the last time a Scottish team other than Celtic got past the play-off/qualifying stages?