On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 10:08:45 PM UTC+1, Werner Pichler wrote:
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Draw for Champions League Preliminary Round
* = seeded team
Semifinals (June 21, Reykjavík)
1 FCI Levadia (EST)* v Víkingur (ISL)
2 SP La Fiorita (SMR)* v Inter Club d'Escaldes (AND)
Final (June 24, Reykjavík)
Winner 2 v Winner 1
While Flora managed to be the first Estonian team in a European group phase and managed to eke out a win against Partizan Belgrade and draw twice against Anorthosis Famagusta, at the same time back in December
2021 they lost the Estonian title to their city rivals on the last matchday.
So it's Levadia who have the privilege to have to travel to Iceland for this
honestly speaking rather pointless mini-tournament.
Pointless? Not at all. Any one of these teams could go on to win the Champions League.
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Draw for Champions League Preliminary Round
* = seeded team
Semifinals (June 21, Reykjavík)
1 FCI Levadia (EST)* v Víkingur (ISL)
2 SP La Fiorita (SMR)* v Inter Club d'Escaldes (AND)
Final (June 24, Reykjavík)
Winner 2 v Winner 1
While Flora managed to be the first Estonian team in a European group
phase and managed to eke out a win against Partizan Belgrade and draw
twice against Anorthosis Famagusta, at the same time back in December
2021 they lost the Estonian title to their city rivals on the last matchday.
So it's Levadia who have the privilege to have to travel to Iceland for this honestly speaking rather pointless mini-tournament.
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 11:08:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 11:08:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Champions League Preliminary Round Semifinals
* = seeded team
Teams in CAPITALS go through
It might have been the longest day of the year, with sunset in Reykjavík just after midnight and sunrise
just before 3 a.m., but there was no trace of warm sunlight streaming into Víkingsvöllur stadium
as those four teams played their matches in cold and drizzling rain.
SP La Fiorita (SMR)* v INTER CLUB D'ESCALDES (AND) 1-2 (1-0)
(Rinaldi 45'+2; Soldevila 55', 66')
La Fiorita scored the first goal of this year's Champions League, but it remains kind
of a usual story for Sammarinese clubs - unlike all the other minnows, who manage
upsets from time to time, they never quite get there.
BTW I kind of wonder what effect it will have on Andorran football that FC Andorra (owned
by Gerard Piqué, and for decades part of the Spanish league system) this year got promoted
to Segunda División for the first time in their history. But considering that they don't
have a single Andorran player in their squad, it probably won't change much.
FCI Levadia (EST)* v KS VÍKINGUR (ISL) 1-6 (1-3)
(Beglarishvili 5' (pen); McLagan 10', K.M. Ingason 27', Sigurðsson 45'+1, Hansen 49',
Guðjónsson 71', Magnússon 77')
Huh, so I guess Iceland really don't want to stay in the bottom four. And they probably also
dealt best with the conditions, being on home turf. A US Boy and a Dane were among
the Viking goalscorers, and Kristall Máni's (translates as Crystal Moon - Kristall has been
officially approved as an Icelandic boys' name since 2002, the internet tells me) goal
was probably the nicest: https://gfycat.com/ordinarypeskycentipede
Weather's supposed to be a little better on Friday.
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 11:08:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 4:25:47 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 11:08:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 4:25:47 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 11:08:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 1:16:27 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 4:25:47 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 11:08:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 3:20:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 1:16:27 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 4:25:47 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 11:08:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Malm FF (SWE) v FK ALGIRIS (LTU) 0-2 (0-0), 0-3 on aggregate
(Oyewusi 34', Renan Oliveira 52'; Red Card: Christiansen (Mal) 78')
Seriously, what's wrong with Malm? Fully deserved win for algiris who extended
the aggregate lead when their Nigerian striker Mathias Oyewusi raced clear on >the break; Brazilian in the East Renan Oliveira tapped in from close range to >put the result out of reach; and a little bit of Lithuanian shithousery made >Anders Christiansen lose his nerve and the Malm captain got himself sent off >with a second booking.
First ever European group phase for a Lithuanian team. Eleven associations >left who've never been: San Marino, Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, Andorra, >Iceland, Malta, Montenegro, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Bosnia- >Herzegovina.
Quoting Werner Pichler in rec.sport.soccer:
Malmö FF (SWE) v FK ŽALGIRIS (LTU) 0-2 (0-0), 0-3 on aggregate
(Oyewusi 34', Renan Oliveira 52'; Red Card: Christiansen (Mal) 78')
Seriously, what's wrong with Malmö? Fully deserved win for Žalgiris who extended
the aggregate lead when their Nigerian striker Mathias Oyewusi raced clear on
the break; Brazilian in the East Renan Oliveira tapped in from close range to
put the result out of reach; and a little bit of Lithuanian shithousery made
Anders Christiansen lose his nerve and the Malmö captain got himself sent off
with a second booking.
First ever European group phase for a Lithuanian team. Eleven associations >left who've never been: San Marino, Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, Andorra, >Iceland, Malta, Montenegro, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Bosnia- >Herzegovina.
Shit coach, apparently
31+ average age.
Mercenary players.
On Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 2:47:29 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 3:20:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 1:16:27 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 4:25:47 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 11:08:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Champions League 2nd Qualifying Round, 2nd legSecond, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Teams in CAPITALS (except HJK) through to CLQ3, losers go to ELQ3
* = seeded team
July 26
Champions Path
FC VIKTORIA PLZEŇ (CZE)* v HJK (FIN) 5-0 (3-0), 7-1 on aggregate
(Pernica 11', Sýkora 21', 73', Hejda 31', Kliment 84')
A strong performance by the Czechs who didn't give HJK even the ghost of a chance. Luděk Pernica headed in Lukáš Kalvach's inswinging free-kick; Jan Sýkora
volleyed in a loose ball from the edge of the area; Viktorka's captain and veteran defender Lukáš Hejda likewise tapped in an inswinging free-kick; Sýkora
punished more terrible Finnish defending by sweeping in Milan Havel's feed: https://gfycat.com/DrearyTenderBobcat and finally Jan Kliment headed in yet another cross.
FC SHERIFF (MDA)* v NK Maribor (SLO) 1-0 (0-0), 1-0 on aggregate
(Yansané 88')
Guinean forward Momo Yansané, one of the few survivors in Sheriff's squad from
last season, got the only goal of the tie by poking in a free-kick by Burkinabé
international Abou Ouattara (one of the mostly African new guys) that Maribor's
defence had failed to clear: https://gfycat.com/shockedfearlessleafcutterant
F91 Diddeleng (LUX) v FC PYUNIK (ARM)* 1-4 (1-1), 2-4 on aggregate
(Hassan 21'; Juninho 24', Juričić 54', 85', Otubanjo 76')
Things looked good for the Luxembourgers when in an absolutely brilliant move
Mohcine Hassan Nader headed in his own mishit volley: https://juststream.live/ConciergeNecksSexes Pyunik had been completely harmless
in both matches up to that point, but a bit like their namesake ('pyunik' means
'phoenix' in Armenian) they came back out of nowhere when their Serbian winger
Uroš Nenadović headed a cross back across goal and Brazilian in the East Juninho
was at hand to nod in: https://gfycat.com/thisthreadbarecomet A bad mistake by
Düdelingen's centre-back Aldin Skenderović allowed Nenadović's Bosnian substitute Luka Juričić, newly arrived in Armenia from a stint in South Korea's
second division, to level the overall score: https://gfycat.com/braverevolvingicelandgull and the Luxembourgers freely continued to beat themselves - first a dreadful back pass by their French defender Jules Diouf ended up at the feet of Yusuf Otubanjo - incidentally one
of the few Salzburg prospects brought in by Ralf Rangnick that never worked out
at all - and the Nigerian striker left Düdelingen's young keeper Lucas Fox no
chance to give the Armenians the overall lead: https://gfycat.com/VeneratedWellinformedAmphiuma
and then Fox gifted Pyunik the fourth himself: https://gfycat.com/CoolFeistyDobermanpinscher
The second year in a row that Armenia manage to send a team to a European group
stage.
KF Shkupi (MKD) v GNK DINAMO ZAGREB (CRO)* 0-1 (0-0), 2-3 on aggregate (Ademi 47')
Last year's surprising exit against Sheriff notwithstanding - when the stats of
a CL qualifier look even, you can still be reasonably sure that it will be Dinamo who will go through in the end. One moment of brilliance by Luka Menalo
who found Arijan Ademi unmarked in the box was enough for the Croatian qualifying machine.
Shamrock Rovers FC (IRL) v PFC LUDOGORETS RAZGRAD (BUL)* 2-1 (0-0), 2-4 on aggregate
(Greene 21', Emakhu 88'; Cauly 90'+1; Red Card: Show (Lud) 51')
The trip to Ireland looked like a mere formality for the Bulgarian champions but late on became a very nervous affair indeed. Aaron Greene tapped in the rebound after Ludogorets's Dutch keeper Sergio Padt had parried a header by Aston Villa youth product Graham Burke; Angolan midfielder Manuel Cafumana, nicknamed Show, was sent off with a second booking to reduce the Bulgarians to
ten men; and two young substitutes combined for Rovers's second as Aidomo Emakhu
converted Neil Farrugia's through ball: https://gfycat.com/untidyrecentdunlin
But while the Irish champions were chasing the goal that would carry the tie to
extra time Ludogorets caught them on the break and Cauly finished off a one-two
with fellow Brazilian Igor Thiago.
League Path
AEK Larnaca FC (CYP) v FC MIDTJYLLAND (DEN)* 1-1 aet (1-1, 1-1), 2-2 on aggregate, Midtjylland win 4-3 on penalties
(Olatunji 9'; Dalsgaard 12')
The Cypriots took a rather surprising early lead thanks to Victor Olatunji's perfectly placed header from Frenchman Imad Faraj's cross: https://gfycat.com/satisfiedillustriousiberianchiffchaff but FCM immediately equalised when Henrik Dalsgaard likewise headed in a corner kick. Both sides subsequently had their opportunities - albeit not a lot of them - and a somewhat
miscued shot by Midtjylland forward Gustav Isaksen clipped the crossbar. In extra time it was the Danes that rode their luck when four minutes from the end
a shot by the Israeli substitute Omri Altman was deflected onto the post, and in
the shoot-out it was ironically Altman who sent the first penalty against the
crossbar. Sory Kaba could have won it for Midtjylland but gave the Cypriots a
lifeline with a weak spot kick that was saved by AEK's new Bosnian keeper Kenan
Pirić, but immediately afterwards Portuguese midfielder Luís Gustavo (not to be
confused with a certain mustachioed Brazilian that used to play for Bayern) sent
his penalty against the right post and the Danes into the next round.
July 27
Champions Path
FK BODØ/GLIMT (NOR)* v Linfield FC (NIR) 8-0 (4-0), 8-1 on aggregate (Vetlesen 7', Boniface 21' (pen), Pellegrino 25', 54' (pen), Saltnes 29', Espejord 52', 88', Sampsted 73'; Red Card: Millar (Lin) 21')
Yeah, so as expected Bodø narrowly managed to turn this tie around at home. Linfield's first-leg hero Kirk Millar got himself sent off for doing a Suárez on
his goal line, and one man down the Northern Irish completely fell apart. Amahl
Pellegrino's first goal was the nicest: https://gfycat.com/embarrassedidealasianlion
FC Zürich (SUI) v QARABAĞ FK (AZE)* 2-2 aet (1-0, 2-1), 4-5 on aggregate (Medvedev 4' (og), Santini 90'+5; Kady 56', Owusu 98')
Already early on Qarabağ captain Maksim Medvedev helped FCZ's toothless attack
out by steering Fabian Rohner's cross into his own net: https://gfycat.com/naivecheapkronosaurus Overall the Azeri were the better team
though and they got the deserved equaliser when a cross pinballed around in the
Zürich box and Qarabağ's usual main threat Kady was left with a simple finish:
https://gfycat.com/rapidmellowchevrotain If Away Goal Rule were still a thing
Ivan Santini's 95th-minute header that beat Qarabağ keeper Məhəmmədəliyev at
the third attempt: https://gfycat.com/allwateryamberpenshell would have won it
for the Swiss, and dominated the headlines since it looked borderline off-side,
but instead the game went to extra time where Qarabağ got the deserved aggregate
winner when Abdellah Zoubir and Owusu carved the Swiss defence open on the break, and the Ghanese striker beat FCZ keeper Brecher with a sumptous shot: https://gfycat.com/happyhotbillygoat
It used to be - five to ten years ago - that a team managed by Franco Foda would
play a terribly unattractive style of football but somehow grind out results,
which the critics grudgingly acknowledged. He appears to have completely lost
that touch though - with the Austrian NT as well as with the Swiss Champions -
and now all that remains is the unattractive football. I'm curious how long he'll survive in Zurich.
Malmö FF (SWE) v FK ŽALGIRIS (LTU) 0-2 (0-0), 0-3 on aggregate
(Oyewusi 34', Renan Oliveira 52'; Red Card: Christiansen (Mal) 78')
Seriously, what's wrong with Malmö? Fully deserved win for Žalgiris who extended
the aggregate lead when their Nigerian striker Mathias Oyewusi raced clear on
the break; Brazilian in the East Renan Oliveira tapped in from close range to
put the result out of reach; and a little bit of Lithuanian shithousery made Anders Christiansen lose his nerve and the Malmö captain got himself sent off
with a second booking.
First ever European group phase for a Lithuanian team. Eleven associations left who've never been: San Marino, Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, Andorra, Iceland, Malta, Montenegro, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Bosnia- Herzegovina.
ŠK Slovan Bratislava (SLK) v FERENCVÁROSI TC (HUN)* 1-4 (0-2), 3-5 on aggregate
(De Marco 70'; Boli 20', Zachariassen 31', Traoré 89', Laïdouni 90'+5)
Ferencváros just needed half an hour to overcome their first-leg home defeat -
Franck Boli tapped in Eldar Ćivić's cross: https://gfycat.com/WeightyOilyCoral
and Kristoffer Zachariassen reacted quickly to deflect Samy Mmaee's shot into
the net: https://gfycat.com/melodicelasticaquaticleech Slovan had their chances,
too, though and they levelled the overall score when Vernon De Marco headed in
a corner kick. The match was on the razor's edge at this point, but it was Adama
Traoré, last season winner over Real Madrid with Sheriff Tiraspol, who got the
decisive touch of the game when he slid into right-back Endre Botka's cross: https://gfycat.com/whoppingwavybasenji With Slovan chasing a goal, very late on
Tunisian international Aïssa Laïdouni added a fourth on the break.
Olympiacos FC (GRE)* v MACCABI HAIFA FC (ISR) 0-4 (0-1), 1-5 on aggregate (Chery 5', Pierrot 61', 65', Abu Fani 87')
Ouch. Oh well, I guess Marinakis still has Nottingham Forest.
I've already noticed Tjaronn Chery's penchant for scoring spectacular goals in
the past, and his early free-kick continued the theme: https://gfycat.com/complicatedwiltedchafer although Olympiacos keeper Vaclík
should perhaps have been able to do better. There was then the rarity of a Haitian international scoring a brace in a European tie as Frantzdy Pierrot headed in crosses by Dolev Haziza and Frenchman Pierre Cornud, and late on Mohammad Abu Fani finished the rout with a precise shot into the bottom far corner.
League Path
Fenerbahçe SK (TUR) v FC DYNAMO KYIV (UKR)* 1-2 aet (0-0, 1-1), 1-2 on aggregate
(Szalai 89'; Buyalskiy 57', Karavayev 114'; Red Card: Yüksek (Fen) 53')
Fenerbahçe had more of the game and the better chances including a shot against
the woodwork by İrfan Kahveci, but things began to go badly for them when İsmail
Yüksek was sent off with a second booking and just four minutes later Tomasz
Kędziora schooled Dutch-Turkish wingback Ferdi Kadıoğlu and centred for Vitaliy
Buyalskyi to tap in: https://gfycat.com/unrulythoughtfuldipper Things went from
bad to worse for Fener as Enner Valencia was awarded a penalty but saw his spot
kick saved by Bushchan: https://gfycat.com/ChubbyWildKoodoo but Dynamo's keeper
looked far less convincing one minute from time when he flapped at a corner kick
and Attila Szalai, many years ago deemed surplus to requirements by Rapid Vienna
in quite an error of judgement, headed Fenerbahçe into extra time. Somewhat surprisingly, the Ukrainians were the far more dangerous team from that point
on, and while Illya Zabarnyi's header only grazed the outside of the post, Oleksandr Karavayev, who once flopped at Fenerbahçe as a loanee, got the deserved winning goal by firing in youngster Kostyantyn Vivcharenko's cross at
the far post: https://gfycat.com/plasticthisgreatwhiteshark
After Dynamo had scored the Fenerbahçe fans started chanting Putin's name, and
Dynamo coach Lucescu refused to attend the post-match press conference in return. I have to admit I'm really quite glad that my team Sturm Graz are now
playing the Ukrainians instead. The Turkish flood that had already begun to pour
into our social media channels has also been stopped short.
It's been fourteen years now that Fener last played in the Champions League group stages. Wouldn't have guessed so myself.
Draw for Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round (August 2/3 and 9)
* = seeded team
Winners go to CLPO, Losers in the Champions Path go to ELPO, Losers in the League Path go to EL Group Phase
Champions Path
Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR)* v Apollon Limassol FC (CYP)
Qarabağ FK (AZE)* v Ferencvárosi TC (HUN)
PFC Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL) v GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)*
FC Sheriff (MDA) v FC Viktoria Plzeň (CZE)*
FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) v FK Žalgiris (LTU)*
FK Crvena Zvezda (SRB)* v FC Pyunik (ARM)
League Path
AS Monaco FC (FRA) v PSV (NED)*
FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)* v SK Sturm Graz (AUT)
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL) v Rangers FC (SCO)*
SL Benfica (POR)* v FC Midtjylland (DEN)
--
Ciao,
Werner
I'm feeling mischievous today. When was the last previous time Sweden was the >worst of the Scandinavian countries (stricto sensu), both in club football and with the national team?
Quoting Werner Pichler in rec.sport.soccer:
Malm FF (SWE) v FK ALGIRIS (LTU) 0-2 (0-0), 0-3 on aggregate
(Oyewusi 34', Renan Oliveira 52'; Red Card: Christiansen (Mal) 78')
Seriously, what's wrong with Malm? Fully deserved win for algiris who extended
the aggregate lead when their Nigerian striker Mathias Oyewusi raced clear on >>the break; Brazilian in the East Renan Oliveira tapped in from close range to >>put the result out of reach; and a little bit of Lithuanian shithousery made >>Anders Christiansen lose his nerve and the Malm captain got himself sent off >>with a second booking.
First ever European group phase for a Lithuanian team. Eleven associations >>left who've never been: San Marino, Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, Andorra, >>Iceland, Malta, Montenegro, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Bosnia- >>Herzegovina.
Shit coach, apparently
31+ average age.
Mercenary players.
Quoting Werner Pichler in rec.sport.soccer:
I'm feeling mischievous today. When was the last previous time Sweden was the
worst of the Scandinavian countries (stricto sensu), both in club football and with the national team?
What about if AIK, Djurgården (and Malmö FF) advance further?
--
Manchester United FC - CHAMPIONS
Latest: England '13 (20th) Europa '17, UEFA '08, World '08
On Friday, July 29, 2022 at 9:52:48 AM UTC+2, anders t wrote:
Quoting Werner Pichler in rec.sport.soccer:
I'm feeling mischievous today. When was the last previous time Sweden was the
worst of the Scandinavian countries (stricto sensu), both in club football and with the national team?
What about if AIK, Djurgrden (and Malm FF) advance further?
I'd say that's the minimum required to reduce the gap, or at least to not allow it to grow any wider.
The most important thing in UEFA's current setup is to get your teams to any European group phase
with its six guaranteed matches because that's where the majority of points is won. (and it's a
self-reinforcing feedback loop since you get more guaranteed places in a group stage the higher you
climb in the UEFA ranking).
Denmark already have three teams (FCM, FCK, and Silkeborg) at least in EL or ECL.
Norway have Bod at least in ECL, and Molde would be seeded in the ECL playoffs.
Neither country has lost a starter yet.
None of that's true for Sweden.
In the current UEFA ranking, Norway are in 13th (up from 29th four years ago, and within a shout
of a guaranteed Champions League place) and Denmark are in 18th (with excellent prospects due
to their 18 guaranteed group stage matches).
Sweden are in 23rd.
On Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 12:48:47 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 4:25:47 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 11:08:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 2:47:29 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 3:20:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 1:16:27 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 4:25:47 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 11:08:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 5:53:51 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 2:47:29 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 3:20:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 1:16:27 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 4:25:47 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote: >>>>>> On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 11:08:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote: >>>>>>>
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup.
https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round, 1st leg
* = seeded team
August 2
Champions Path
FC Sheriff (MDA) v FC Viktoria Plzeň (CZE)* 1-2 (1-1)
(Rasheed 36' (pen); Chorý 41' (pen), Bucha 55')
Sheriff's new Ghanaian keeper Razak Abalora appears to be a bit of a wildcard -
he pulled off great saves to deny Pavel Bucha and Luděk Pernica, but he also comically ran into Milan Havel to give up a penalty: https://gfycat.com/mammothshadybluebreastedkookaburra (cancelling out an earlier
handball penalty for the Moldovans), and another awkward collision allowed Bucha
to score the winner: https://gfycat.com/tangibleconstantbluet Just before, Viktoria keeper Staněk had done much better at the other end to deflect a powerful free-kick by Sheriff's Brazilian winger Pernambuco against the crossbar.
PFC Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL) v GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)* 1-2 (1-2)
(Tekpetey 22'; Perić 6', Padt 9' (og))
Less than ten minutes in and Dinamo were two up - Dino Perić held off two Bulgarian defenders to volley in from eleven metres: https://gfycat.com/defenselessfatherlyacaciarat and Robert Ljubičić, Dinamo's
new signing from Rapid Wien and younger brother of Köln midfielder Dejan, sent
in a sharp cross that Ludogorets's Dutch keeper Sergio Padt awkwardly deflected
into his own net: https://gfycat.com/anotherwelcomeaidi Former Schalke hope Bernard Tekpetey reduced the deficit with a fierce drive from a tight angle that
beat Dinamo keeper Livaković at his near post - not exactly the first time he's
looked shaky in this European campaign: https://gfycat.com/mellowthiskob Ludogorets hit the woodwork twice in the second half, but the equaliser eluded
them.
League Path
AS Monaco FC (FRA) v PSV (NED)* 1-1 (0-1)
(Disasi 80'; Veerman 38')
Luuk de Jong, back from Spain after three years, cleverly laid the ball off for
Joey Veerman, and the young midfielder rifled the ball in from the edge of the
area: https://gfycat.com/longdecenthoopoe Monaco got a deserved equaliser when
Youssouf Fofana headed on Ismail Jakobs's free-kick, and Axel Disasi reacted quickly to fire in from close range: https://gfycat.com/wideunconsciousbull
Last year in the Europa League group stages PSV also drew Monaco away, but lost
the home match.
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL) v Rangers FC (SCO)* 2-0 (1-0)
(Teuma 27', Vanzeir 76' (pen))
Union SG really are an unconventional team, what with their Luxembourg keeper and their Maltese captain Teddy Teuma, who scored his first ever international
goal with a blistering shot after the Scottish defence had forgotten about him
in the box: https://gfycat.com/mealylavishgrunion A very harsh handball penalty
gave the Belgian surprise package their second, but the Scots also escaped twice
more when Dante Vanzeir one-on-one with Jon McLaughlin was denied by Rangers' new number one keeper, and James Tavernier cleared a header by his English compatriot Christian Burgess off the Rangers goal line.
SL Benfica (POR)* v FC Midtjylland (DEN) 4-1 (3-0)
(Ramos 17', 33', 61', Fernández 40'; Sisto 78' (pen))
Great technical ability combined with Roger Schmidt's piranha pressing meant that poor Midtjylland didn't stand a chance - exactly one year after they had lost 0-3 at the same stage against PSV, back then coached by Roger Schmidt. The
first two goals were carbon copies of each other, with Benfica's new signing David Neres powering down the right wing and whipping in a cross that Gonçalo
Ramos headed over the line. Another new arrival, Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández, scored a brilliant third when he directly volleyed in João Mário's
corner kick: https://gfycat.com/jitterymatureaxolotl and Ramos completed his hat
trick by calmly controlling Rafa Silva's cross before firing past FCM keeper Olafsson. The Danes got a consolation goal when Paulinho was felled in the box
and Pione Sisto scored with a Panenka from the spot.
August 3
Champions Path
Qarabağ FK (AZE)* v Ferencvárosi TC (HUN) 1-1 (1-1)
(Owusu 34'; Boli 17')
In a very even game Ivorian forward Franck Boli nodded the Hungarian champions
into the lead following a chaotic goalmouth scramble: https://gfycat.com/feistyleangalapagosalbatross and at the other end it was Ghanaian striker Owusu who was the quickest to react after Fradi keeper Dibusz
had failed to hold on to Filip Ozobić's free-kick: https://gfycat.com/marriedbiodegradablebandicoot Both sides missed big chances
in the second half.
FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) v FK Žalgiris (LTU)* 5-0 (2-0)
(Vetlesen 33' (pen), Pellegrino 36', Salvesen 58', Høibråten 61',
Espejord 90'+3)
As if wanting to show Malmö how it's done. A VAR penalty broke the deadlock, after which a Norwegian avalanche rolled over hapless Lithuanians. Amahl Pellegrino converted Bodø captain Ulrik Saltnes's through ball: https://gfycat.com/everlastingidealisticamericanbobtail Pellegrino provided the
assist for Lars-Jørgen Salvesen's third, centre-half Marius Høibråten headed in
Elias Kristoffersen Hagen's cross, and the substitute Runar Espejord completed
the rout in stoppage time with an emphatic shot into the near top corner: https://gfycat.com/DampFamousCob
It's noticeable how Bodø/Glimt always appear to get their goals from a large variety of scorers. Also, that was their 12th European home win in a row.
Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR)* v Apollon Limassol FC (CYP) 4-0 (1-0)
(Peybernes 38' (og), Mohamed 54', 62', Pierrot 79';
Red Card: Jovanović (Apo) 60')
Frenchman Mathieu Peybernes, newly arrived on Cyprus after several years in the
Segunda División, unluckily deflected Dolev Haziza's cross into his own net: https://gfycat.com/MeagerRequiredAphid Nigerien (not Nigerian) international Ali Mohamed got a brace by first volleying in Frantzdy Pierrot's great lay- off and then heading in Dean David's cross from the left wing. In between those
goals Apollon's Serbian defender Vukašin Jovanović got sent off with two yellows, and Haiti international Pierrot got the fourth by likewise heading in a
cross from the left, this time Haziza's.
FK Crvena Zvezda (SRB)* v FC Pyunik (ARM) 5-0 (3-0)
(Bukari 29', 44', 70', Kangwa 33', Mitrović 77'; Red Card: Rodić (Crv) 90')
The fourth easy home win in this round. Two of Red Star's new African signings
got on the scoresheet - Ghanaian winger Osman Bukari, formerly of Gent, got a hat trick with two goals on the break and one cross that turned into a shot beating Pyunik keeper Yurchenko at his near post: https://gfycat.com/unfoldedmarriedboa and Zambian international Kings Kangwa, previously in the Russian Premier League, headed in after Yurchenko had flapped
at a cross: https://gfycat.com/lastingcourteousbunting Serbian-Canadian Stefan
Mitrović added the fifth with a nice solo run. Only Milan Rodić's late two bookings in two minutes were absolutely pointless. Or he didn't fancy a trip to
Armenia.
League Path
FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)* v SK Sturm Graz (AUT) 1-0 (1-0)
(Karavayev 28')
Played in Łódź again. Following a convincing win over Salzburg in the league a
certain optimism reigned among the Sturm faithful, and the Austrians indeed started the match quite brightly, but young Danish striker Rasmus Højlund, who
within just half a year has very much endeared himself to us Sturm fans as a kind of budget Haaland, and has already been rumoured to leave again this summer
for a hefty transfer fee, showed his commitment to the club by wasting two excellent early opportunities in a way that will make every potential buyer think twice. At the other end Dynamo several times broke through on the wings far too easily, and on one such occasion left-back Vladyslav Dubinchak delivered
an outswinging cross which Oleksandr Karavayev met with a perfect volley that left Sturm keeper Siebenhandl no chance: https://gfycat.com/thankfulkaleidoscopicangwantibo This took the wind out of Sturm's sails completely, and in a rather poor second half Dynamo handled their
pressing efforts with ease, but since the Ukrainians' counter-attacking attempts
were also a bit lacking the result still leaves Sturm with everything to play for in the home leg. But we'd need to improve a lot for that.
--
Ciao,
Werner
On Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 5:53:51 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 2:47:29 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 3:20:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 1:16:27 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 4:25:47 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 11:08:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
On Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 2:25:14 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 5:53:51 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 2:47:29 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 3:20:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 1:16:27 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 4:25:47 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 11:08:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
AEK Larnaca FC (CYP) v FC MIDTJYLLAND (DEN)* 1-1 aet (1-1, 1-1), 2-2 on aggregate, Midtjylland win 4-3 on penalties
(Olatunji 9'; Dalsgaard 12')
the shoot-out it was ironically Altman who sent the first penalty against the crossbar. Sory Kaba could have won it for Midtjylland but gave the Cypriots a lifeline with a weak spot kick that was saved by AEK's new Bosnian
keeper Kenan
Pirić, but immediately afterwards Portuguese midfielder Luís Gustavo (not to be
confused with a certain mustachioed Brazilian that used to play for Bayern) sent
his penalty against the right post and the Danes into the next round.
Malmö FF (SWE) v FK ŽALGIRIS (LTU) 0-2 (0-0), 0-3 on aggregate
FK Bod/Glimt (NOR) v GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)* 1-0 (1-0)
(Pellegrino 37')
With a capacity of 8,270, just above UEFA's minimum requirement, Bod's recently
refurbished Aspmyra stadium could become not just the northernmost but also the
smallest venue to ever host Champions League football.
League Path
FC Kbenhavn (DEN)* v Trabzonspor (TUR) 2-1 (1-0)
(Claesson 9', Lerager 48'; Bakasetas 79')
The Danish champions have had a rather subpar start to their
domestic season,
On Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 4:21:10 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 2:25:14 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 5:53:51 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 2:47:29 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 3:20:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 1:16:27 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 4:25:47 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 11:08:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
FK Crvena Zvezda (SRB)* v MACCABI HAIFA FC (ISR) 2-2 (2-1), 4-5 on aggregate (Pešić 27', Ivanić 43'; Sundgren 45'+5, Pavkov 90' (og))
GNK DINAMO ZAGREB (CRO)* v FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) 4-1 aet (2-0, 2-1), 3-2 on aggregate
(Oršić 4', Petković 35', Drmić 117', Bočkaj 120'; Grønbæk 70')
A bit of a shame, I was kind of looking forward to seeing Real, Bayern, or Barcelona play on Bodø's artificial pitch north of the Arctic Circle in November.
GNK DINAMO ZAGREB (CRO)* v FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) 4-1 aet (2-0, 2-1), 3-2 on aggregate
(Oršić 4', Petković 35', Drmić 117', Bočkaj 120'; Grønbæk 70')
Bodø/Glimt ramped up the pressure, and Jesper will love that it was mostly the
introduction of their brand-new signing from Aarhus Albert Grønbæk (the most
expensive transfer in both Bodø's and AGF's history)
Trabzonspor (TUR) v FC KØBENHAVN (DEN)* 0-0 (0-0), 1-2 on aggregate
Mat Ryan has been an inspired signing for FCK as Australia's number one was
The third time after 2003-04 and 2007-08 (back then Celtic qualified for the CL
round of 16 and Rangers eventually made it to the UEFA Cup Final) that both Glasgow teams reach the Champions League group phase.
Pot 1
Real Madrid CF (ESP/CH/TH-CL) 124.000
Eintracht Frankfurt (GER/TH-EL) 61.000
Manchester City FC (ENG/CH) 134.000
AC Milan (ITA/CH) 38.000
FC Bayern München (GER/CH) 138.000
Paris Saint-Germain FC (FRA/CH) 112.000
FC Porto (POR/CH) 80.000
AFC Ajax (NED/CH) 82.500
Pot 2
Liverpool FC (ENG) 134.000
Chelsea FC (ENG) 123.000
FC Barcelona (ESP) 114.000
Juventus FC (ITA) 107.000
Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP) 105.000
Sevilla FC (ESP) 91.000
RB Leipzig (GER) 83.000
Tottenham Hotspur FC (ENG) 83.000
Pot 3
BV Borussia 09 Dortmund (GER) 78.000
FC Salzburg (AUT/CH) 71.000
FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR/CH) 71.000
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) 67.000
SSC Napoli (ITA) 66.000
SL Benfica (POR) 61.000
Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR) 55.500
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER) 53.000
Pot 4
Rangers FC (SCO) 50.250
GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO/CH) 49.500
Olympique de Marseille (FRA) 44.000
FC København (DEN/CH) 40.500
Club Brugge KV (BEL/CH) 38.500
Celtic FC (SCO/CH) 33.000
FC Viktoria Plzeň (CZE/CH) 31.000
Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR/CH) 7.000
On 25.8.2022. 1:54, Werner Pichler wrote:
FK Crvena Zvezda (SRB)* v MACCABI HAIFA FC (ISR) 2-2 (2-1), 4-5 on
aggregate
(Pešić 27', Ivanić 43'; Sundgren 45'+5, Pavkov 90' (og))
GNK DINAMO ZAGREB (CRO)* v FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) 4-1 aet (2-0, 2-1), 3-2
on aggregate
(Oršić 4', Petković 35', Drmić 117', Bočkaj 120'; Grønbæk 70')
For weeks Serbian B92 was being annoying by publishing articles
about which clubs have to fail so that Red Star ends up in the 3rd pot,
one of those clubs was Dinamo. They are being trolled now.
A bit of a shame, I was kind of looking forward to seeing Real,
Bayern, or
Barcelona play on Bodø's artificial pitch north of the Arctic Circle in
November.
But the good news is that you can once again see the ugliest stadium in CL.
On 2022-08-24, Werner Pichler <wpic...@gmail.com> wrote:
QUIZ: can you name those 6 cities from 2007-08?
(Hint: Madrid wasn't one of them)
Bonus quiz: can you name the 3 German teams from that year?
(Hint: you'll never get this right)
On Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 12:19:16 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
League Path
PSV (NED) v RANGERS FC (SCO)* 0-1 (0-0), 2-3 on aggregate
(Čolak 60')
PSV's best chance came late in the first half when Luuk de Jong from short range
shot straight at Rangers keeper McLaughlin, but other than that it was a poor performance by the Dutch, especially after De Jong had to be subbed off at half
time due to injury, and in the second half Rangers hit the crossbar through Welshman Tom Lawrence: https://gfycat.com/felinejitterygrayling before PSV keeper Benítez (who had already been at fault for Rangers's second goal in the
first leg) and former Salzburg defender Ramalho shared the blame for gifting the
Scots the goal that quite deservedly sent them through: https://gfycat.com/lonelyrectangularcranefly
The third time after 2003-04 and 2007-08 (back then Celtic qualified for the CL
round of 16 and Rangers eventually made it to the UEFA Cup Final) that both Glasgow teams reach the Champions League group phase. Even though Scotland are
our direct rivals in the UEFA ranking I can't really begrudge the other Europa
League finalist their place. After all, it was only penalties that prevented them from being drawn from Pot 1.
--
Pots for CL Group Stage Draw / August 25 18h00 CEST - annoyingly again concurrently with a couple of EL and ECL qualifiers, which UEFA could have easily avoided if they cared about anything else but their flagship competition
On 2022-08-24, Werner Pichler <wpichler@gmail.com> wrote:
GNK DINAMO ZAGREB (CRO)* v FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) 4-1 aet (2-0, 2-1), 3-2 on aggregate
(Oršić 4', Petković 35', Drmić 117', Bočkaj 120'; Grønbæk 70')
Bodø/Glimt ramped up the pressure, and Jesper will love that it was mostly the
introduction of their brand-new signing from Aarhus Albert Grønbæk (the most
expensive transfer in both Bodø's and AGF's history)
So they say, but the sums mentioned are smaller than what Stage went
for. Anyway, a surprisingly big sale given last season.
Trabzonspor (TUR) v FC KØBENHAVN (DEN)* 0-0 (0-0), 1-2 on aggregate
I'll take the points, but I'm not happy about the money.
Mat Ryan has been an inspired signing for FCK as Australia's number one was
Seems excessive when they have Kamil Grabara (currently injured)
The third time after 2003-04 and 2007-08 (back then Celtic qualified for the CL
round of 16 and Rangers eventually made it to the UEFA Cup Final) that both >> Glasgow teams reach the Champions League group phase.
With Glasgow, 5 cities have 2 teams in the group stage this
year. I thought that was a lot, but it turns out that was also the
case the other years Glasgow made it. In 2007-08 it was even 6 cities.
QUIZ: can you name those 6 cities from 2007-08?
(Hint: Madrid wasn't one of them)
Bonus quiz: can you name the 3 German teams from that year?
(Hint: you'll never get this right)
On 2022-08-25 09:18, Jesper Lauridsen wrote:
On 2022-08-24, Werner Pichler <wpic...@gmail.com> wrote:
GNK DINAMO ZAGREB (CRO)* v FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) 4-1 aet (2-0, 2-1), 3-2 on aggregate
(Oršić 4', Petković 35', Drmić 117', Bočkaj 120'; Grønbæk 70')
Bodø/Glimt ramped up the pressure, and Jesper will love that it was mostly the
introduction of their brand-new signing from Aarhus Albert Grønbæk (the most
expensive transfer in both Bodø's and AGF's history)
So they say, but the sums mentioned are smaller than what Stage went
for. Anyway, a surprisingly big sale given last season.
Trabzonspor (TUR) v FC KØBENHAVN (DEN)* 0-0 (0-0), 1-2 on aggregate
I'll take the points, but I'm not happy about the money.
Mat Ryan has been an inspired signing for FCK as Australia's number one was
Seems excessive when they have Kamil Grabara (currently injured)
The third time after 2003-04 and 2007-08 (back then Celtic qualified for the CL
round of 16 and Rangers eventually made it to the UEFA Cup Final) that both
Glasgow teams reach the Champions League group phase.
With Glasgow, 5 cities have 2 teams in the group stage this
year. I thought that was a lot, but it turns out that was also the
case the other years Glasgow made it. In 2007-08 it was even 6 cities.
QUIZ: can you name those 6 cities from 2007-08?Wild guess:
(Hint: Madrid wasn't one of them)
London
Glasgow
Valencia if Villareal counts as part of Valencia ?
Milan
Lisbon
Istanbul
Bonus quiz: can you name the 3 German teams from that year?
(Hint: you'll never get this right)
Bayern, Schalke, HSV, but I am guessing. Might even have been someone
like Hertha or Stuttgart
All of Benfica, Rangers and Dinamo would have had to lose for that to
happen, no ?
This elimination got Alexander Zorniger fired as Apollon coach, already the second manager casualty (Pedro Martins from Olympiacos was the first) Maccabi
Haifa have caused in these qualifiers.
The Bulgarians are furious with the French referee Bastien, but in reality it's
the players who failed to adapt to his quite consistent strict line of refereeing, dishing out yellows left and right, with Dominic Yankov having collected two of them after seventeen minutes. There was also nothing wrong with
any of the three penalty decisions, and while Dario Špikić did embellish a bit
on occasion of Rick's second yellow, the Brazilian's hand also had no business
in the young Croatian's face.
Em quinta-feira, 25 de agosto de 2022 às 14:09:09 UTC-3, MH escreveu:
On 2022-08-25 09:18, Jesper Lauridsen wrote:
On 2022-08-24, Werner Pichler <wpic...@gmail.com> wrote:Wild guess:
GNK DINAMO ZAGREB (CRO)* v FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) 4-1 aet (2-0, 2-1), 3-2 on aggregate
(Oršić 4', Petković 35', Drmić 117', Bočkaj 120'; Grønbæk 70')
Bodø/Glimt ramped up the pressure, and Jesper will love that it was mostly the
introduction of their brand-new signing from Aarhus Albert Grønbæk (the most
expensive transfer in both Bodø's and AGF's history)
So they say, but the sums mentioned are smaller than what Stage went
for. Anyway, a surprisingly big sale given last season.
Trabzonspor (TUR) v FC KØBENHAVN (DEN)* 0-0 (0-0), 1-2 on aggregate
I'll take the points, but I'm not happy about the money.
Mat Ryan has been an inspired signing for FCK as Australia's number one was
Seems excessive when they have Kamil Grabara (currently injured)
The third time after 2003-04 and 2007-08 (back then Celtic qualified for the CL
round of 16 and Rangers eventually made it to the UEFA Cup Final) that both
Glasgow teams reach the Champions League group phase.
With Glasgow, 5 cities have 2 teams in the group stage this
year. I thought that was a lot, but it turns out that was also the
case the other years Glasgow made it. In 2007-08 it was even 6 cities.
QUIZ: can you name those 6 cities from 2007-08?
(Hint: Madrid wasn't one of them)
London
Glasgow
Valencia if Villareal counts as part of Valencia ?
Milan
Lisbon
Istanbul
You did better than me (only missed one).
Bonus quiz: can you name the 3 German teams from that year?Bayern, Schalke, HSV, but I am guessing. Might even have been someone
(Hint: you'll never get this right)
like Hertha or Stuttgart
You did as well as me. But one of your other options would give you one more.
Tchau!
Jesus Petry
Excellent qualifying campaign (five wins, one draw) by Viktoria who reach their
fourth ever CL group phase after 2011-12, 2013-14 and 2018-19. From what I gather this win was crucial for their long-term financial stability as well. Champions League millions are always welcome.
The third time after 2003-04 and 2007-08 (back then Celtic qualified for the CL
round of 16 and Rangers eventually made it to the UEFA Cup Final) that both Glasgow teams reach the Champions League group phase. Even though Scotland are
our direct rivals in the UEFA ranking I can't really begrudge the other Europa
League finalist their place. After all, it was only penalties that prevented them from being drawn from Pot 1.
And here you go: Here's the draw:
A: Ajax, Liverpool, Napoli, and Rangers
B: FC Porto, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Club Brugge
C: Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Viktoria Plzen
D: Eintracht Frankfurt, Tottenham Hotspur, Sporting CP, Marseille
E: AC Milan, Chelsea, FC Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb
F: Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donesk, Celtic
G: Manchester City, Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, Copenhagen
H: PSG, Juventus, Benefica, Maccabi Haifa
(writing the above has now probably guaranteed that I'll get to see Sturm Graz
play on Bodø's artificial pitch north of the Arctic Circle in November...)
On Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 12:19:16 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 4:21:10 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 2:25:14 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 28, 2022 at 5:53:51 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 2:47:29 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 3:20:53 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 1:16:27 AM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 4:25:47 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 11:08:45 PM UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
Champions League Play-Off, 2nd legSecond, and second-to-last season in the current setup. https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
Teams in CAPITALS (except PSV) through to CL group phase, losers go to EL group phase
* = seeded team
August 23
Champions Path
FC VIKTORIA PLZEŇ (CZE)* v Qarabağ FK (AZE) 2-1 (0-1), 2-1 on aggregate (Kopic 58', Kliment 73'; Ozobić 38')
The Czech champions started brightly, but Qarabağ survived Viktoria's early onslaught and the match quieted down until after a free-kick Qarabağ's midfield
stalwart Filip Ozobić was given far too much time in the box to control a loose
ball on his chest, and he fired a great volley past Viktoria keeper Staněk: https://gfycat.com/heftyblackgoa That goal noticeably shocked the Czechs who grew increasingly nervous, but one mistake by Qarabağ keeper Məhəmmədəliyev (or
Mahammadaliyev, or Magomedaliyev, depending on which transcription you prefer -
personally, I'm partial to all those ə's) turned the match on its head - he left
his net to deal with Václav Jemelka's long free-kick but failed to properly connect with it, and the ball fell kindly for Jan Kopic who lobbed it into the
empty net: https://gfycat.com/enragedscenteddegus Momentum shifted completely
after that, and another quite strange goal gave Viktoria the win: Qarabağ's Montenegrin right-back Marko Vešović failed to clear Lubor Holík's overhit
cross, the loose ball was sent straight back in by Jhon Mosquera, and the substitute Jan Kliment who'd been left all alone toe-poked the ball through the
legs of poor Məhəmmədəliyev: https://gfycat.com/phonylongcommabutterfly Remarkably, Kliment had pulled a hamstring just before scoring that goal and had
to be taken off again immediately afterwards. Viktoria then managed to control
the result until the final whistle.
Excellent qualifying campaign (five wins, one draw) by Viktoria who reach their
fourth ever CL group phase after 2011-12, 2013-14 and 2018-19. From what I gather this win was crucial for their long-term financial stability as well. Champions League millions are always welcome.
FK Crvena Zvezda (SRB)* v MACCABI HAIFA FC (ISR) 2-2 (2-1), 4-5 on aggregate (Pešić 27', Ivanić 43'; Sundgren 45'+5, Pavkov 90' (og))
Another amazingly entertaining match between those two.
Heavy rain had turned the Marakana pitch into something of a bog, and Red Star
were dominating the first half, hitting the post through Guélor Kanga early on:
https://gfycat.com/shabbyrashblackbear before taking the lead when Aleksander
Katai duped Maccabi's Swedish right-back Daniel Sundgren to get a cross in, and
instead of whacking it away Sean Goldberg with a terrible touch inadvertently
laid the ball off for Aleksandar Pešić who stabbed in from close range: https://gfycat.com/rewardingessentialalpineroadguidetigerbeetle Mirko Ivanić
then missed a big chance to score a brilliant second when his volley from Osman
Bukari's cross sailed just past the Israeli net: https://gfycat.com/eviltanbear
but the former Montenegro international (idiot got booted from their NT following his refusal to play a Euro 2020 qualifier against Kosovo) still got on
the scoresheet after Frantzdy Pierrot had lost the ball near the touchline and a
fast counter attack saw Katai slipping a great back-heel towards Pešić who in
turn laid the ball off for Ivanić who beat Maccabi keeper Josh Cohen with a shot
into the near top corner: https://gfycat.com/lonecavernousglowworm Nevertheless,
in stoppage time of the first half a bizarre sequence of events turned the tie
around decisively - following a harmless-looking corner kick VAR suddenly intervened, and rightly so as Slavoljub Srnić had clearly handled the ball, something nobody on the pitch appeared to have noticed. Milan Borjan saved Dolev
Haziza's poorly struck spot kick, and yet fifteen seconds later Canada's number
one still had to collect the ball from the back of his net as he had allowed Sundgren's shot from distance go straight through him: https://gfycat.com/wideterriblefox Football, bloody hell.
Before the return leg Red Star fans and Serbian pundits had played up their 'incredible' Marakana atmosphere that would give them the decisive advantage in
this tie, but it was the Serbians who completely wilted in the second half. Borjan was forced to make a fingertip save to turn Pierre Cornud's shot against
the woodwork: https://gfycat.com/handmademajordoe and in the 90th minute the substitute Milan Pavkov, four years ago Red Star's hero when he scored both goals in their CL win over Liverpool, spectacularly volleyed Omer Atzili's free-
kick into his own net: https://gfycat.com/untidyelementaryamericanpainthorse Stoppage time was predictably hectic, and stretched out to seven minutes, but
Red Star's only chance to still make it to extra time was missed when Nemanja
Milunović fired a loose ball miles high.
The third season in a row that Red Star stumble in the CL qualifiers, but the
first time since their 'resurgence' that it happened in the play-off round. They
had eliminated Young Boys and Salzburg at this stage before.
On the other hand, the third ever CL participation for Maccabi Haifa after 2002-03 and 2009-10 (when the poor guys lost every match bar one 0-1 and went
out with zero points won and zero goals scored). Both these previous qualifications had come at the expense of Austrian clubs (Sturm in 2002-03, Salzburg in 2009-10), so getting the better of Red Star was a welcome change.
Also, I had been wondering whether Frantzdy Pierrot would now become the first
Haitian to ever play in the Champions League, and the answer is no, he'd be the
fourth. But Ali Mohamed could become the first player in the CL from Niger.
League Path
SL BENFICA (POR)* v FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) 3-0 (3-0), 5-0 on aggregate (Otamendi 27', Silva 40', Neres 42')
Easy win for Benfica at home, too, as they dominated from the start, saw Grimaldo's fierce free-kick brush the outside of the post, and still scored three times in fifteen minutes - Nicolás Otamendi headed in David Neres's cross:
https://gfycat.com/bestskeletalbluetonguelizard Rafa Silva punished youngster
Oleksandr Syrota's hospital pass: https://gfycat.com/rewardingimpressionableiaerismetalmark and Neres capped off
his performance by burying Gonçalo Ramos's assist: https://gfycat.com/selfassuredjubilantangwantibo Benfica took it a bit easier
after the break, but Dynamo remained without a shot on target all match, and I'm
quite convinced that Sturm Graz wouldn't have done any better.
August 24
Champions Path
GNK DINAMO ZAGREB (CRO)* v FK Bodø/Glimt (NOR) 4-1 aet (2-0, 2-1), 3-2 on aggregate
(Oršić 4', Petković 35', Drmić 117', Bočkaj 120'; Grønbæk 70')
Dinamo needed just three-and-a-half minutes to level the aggregate score - a long punt by their goalkeeper Livaković was headed on by Bruno Petković, the
ball fell for youngster Martin Baturina who played in Mislav Oršić to his left,
and Oršić with a little luck managed to get the ball past Alfons Sampsted and
Brice Wembangomo to shovel the ball over Bodø/Glimt's sprawling keeper Nikita
Khaykin: https://gfycat.com/impressiveelementaryequestrian The Croatians dominated the first half, hit the crossbar through their North Macedonian captain Ademi, and scored a superb second - following a quick break Petković
collected Stefan Ristovski's cross and with the back to his net he beat Khaykin
with a perfectly struck overhead kick: https://gfycat.com/unluckyslipperyasiaticmouflon But just like their beloved neighbours from Belgrade the day before Dinamo were much worse after the break.
Bodø/Glimt ramped up the pressure, and Jesper will love that it was mostly the
introduction of their brand-new signing from Aarhus Albert Grønbæk (the most
expensive transfer in both Bodø's and AGF's history) that helped the Norwegians
find the breakthrough - the young Dane had already seen a header cleared off the
goal line by Robert Ljubičić before he managed to dupe Dinamo centre-back Dino
Perić with a great touch and got off a low shot that admittedly didn't look all
that unstoppable for Livaković: https://gfycat.com/giftedacclaimedharvestmouse
That was the moment when the Norwegian champions should have gone for the jugular, but as the match wore on Bodø/Glimt likewise faded badly, and extra
time was completely uneventful until out of nowhere Josip Drmić sprung his fellow substitute Mahir Emreli with a perfect through ball and while the Azeri
was initially denied by Khaykin the loose ball fell again for Drmić who coolly
side-stepped Konradsen and Saltnes before firing into the empty net: https://gfycat.com/bouncyuncomfortablegodwit Bodø/Glimt predictably threw everything forward in desperation in the dying seconds, but Pellegrino lost the
ball in front of the Croatian box and if Petar Bočkaj hadn't finished off the
two against one break Dinamo would have had a penalty: https://gfycat.com/inconsequentialdenseflatcoatretriever
A bit of a shame, I was kind of looking forward to seeing Real, Bayern, or Barcelona play on Bodø's artificial pitch north of the Arctic Circle in November.
(writing the above has now probably guaranteed that I'll get to see Sturm Graz
play on Bodø's artificial pitch north of the Arctic Circle in November...)
Trabzonspor (TUR) v FC KØBENHAVN (DEN)* 0-0 (0-0), 1-2 on aggregate
Mat Ryan has been an inspired signing for FCK as Australia's number one was crucial in getting them through to the Champions League group stages for the fifth time in their history (after 2006-07, 2010-11, 2013-14, and 2016-17). In
the first half he saved one-on-one against Trabzonspor's Cape Verdean forward
Djaniny, tipped Andreas Cornelius's header over the bar and came to the rescue
against Enis Bardhi, and his biggest save came fifteen minutes from time when
after a corner kick he clawed out Stefano Denswil's header: https://gfycat.com/BlondTanAcornbarnacle
The first time since 1995-96 that there will be no Turkish team in the Champions
League. Perhaps better have a look again at that UEFA Coefficient thingy?
And here you go: Here's the draw:
A: Ajax, Liverpool, Napoli, and Rangers
B: FC Porto, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Club Brugge
C: Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Viktoria Plzen
D: Eintracht Frankfurt, Tottenham Hotspur, Sporting CP, Marseille
E: AC Milan, Chelsea, FC Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb
F: Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donesk, Celtic
G: Manchester City, Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, Copenhagen
H: PSG, Juventus, Benefica, Maccabi Haifa
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