Champions League Qualifying 1st round.

[ForeignLegion]

Always like it when this starts just to see the clubs taking part; this year we have Flora, Fola Esch and Teuta Durres to name a few I've never heard of. Whatever happened to the magnificent Jeunesse Escharage, or what ever they were called, who used to regularly get flogged in the European cup comps. I think they were from Luxembourg?

Edit: a goal difference in European comps of -168.

[ArabianNotts]

Graham Burke scored for Shamrock Rovers in their 2-1 win over Slovan Bratislava last night. Unfortunately Rovers lost 3-2 on aggregate.

[jacobncfc]

Graham Burke scored for Shamrock Rovers in their 2-1 win over Slovan Bratislava last night. Unfortunately Rovers lost 3-2 on aggregate.

Better news for Filip Valencic (scorer in HJK Helsinki’s win over Prishtina) and Liam Walker (scorer in Lincoln Red Imps’ win over Fola Esch).

[SwalePie]

Better news for Filip Valencic (scorer in HJK Helsinki’s win over Prishtina) and Liam Walker (scorer in Lincoln Red Imps’ win over Fola Esch).

You know, there are still some football fans out there who don't realise we are still the crucible of all professional football success

[ncfcog]

Better news for Filip Valencic (scorer in HJK Helsinki’s win over Prishtina) and Liam Walker (scorer in Lincoln Red Imps’ win over Fola Esch).

Two Pens for Walker!

[ncfcog]

Two Pens for Walker!

Burke's was also a pen!

[nw6pie]

Always like it when this starts just to see the clubs taking part; this year we have Flora, Fola Esch and Teuta Durres to name a few I've never heard of. Whatever happened to the magnificent Jeunesse Escharage, or what ever they were called, who used to regularly get flogged in the European cup comps. I think they were from Luxembourg?

Edit: a goal difference in European comps of -168.

If you want really obscure, check out the teams playing in the Europa Conference League - FC Struga, Paide Linnameeskond, Europa… the list of obscure teams goes on and on. It’s basically like the Eastern European versions of Burnley (I’m guessing).

[upthemaggies]

I don't know what the percentage is of clubs playing in Europe this season who have average gates less than ours (below 5.5k), but I suspect it's quite high now that they've introduced a 3rd competition.

If I've googled it right, the trophy for the Europa Conference looks just like the Europa league (UEFA cup). I reckon they should have made it a shield and called it "The Europa Shield", that would have been less confusing and a much stronger brand. "Europa Conference League" is an appalling name, particularly here in England where you'd associate that title with non-league standard.

Odd too that only Tottenham are entering that competition from England but Scotland have two entrants, though Spurs enter at a later stage than Hibs and Aberdeen.

[nw6pie]

I don't know what the percentage is of clubs playing in Europe this season who have average gates less than ours (below 5.5k), but I suspect it's quite high now that they've introduced a 3rd competition.

If I've googled it right, the trophy for the Europa Conference looks just like the Europa league (UEFA cup). I reckon they should have made it a shield and called it "The Europa Shield", that would have been less confusing and a much stronger brand. "Europa Conference League" is an appalling name, particularly here in England where you'd associate that title with non-league standard.

Odd too that only Tottenham are entering that competition from England but Scotland have two entrants, though Spurs enter at a later stage than Hibs and Aberdeen.

I think the point (assuming there is one) of the Europa Conference is that it’s geared more for countries that don’t have as much representation in the big UEFA tournaments - hence the likes of England having only one place (though I wouldn’t be surprised if teams that get knocked out of the Europa League early on get a lifeline with the Europa Conference).

[upthemaggies]

I think the point (assuming there is one) of the Europa Conference is that it’s geared more for countries that don’t have as much representation in the big UEFA tournaments - hence the likes of England having only one place (though I wouldn’t be surprised if teams that get knocked out of the Europa League early on get a lifeline with the Europa Conference).

They do. Some Champions League teams as well.

"In all, 184 teams will be involved over the course of the season including at least one from each of the 55 associations and 46 clubs transferring from either the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League."