On 2022-07-28, Werner Pichler <wpichler@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 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

You might even call it a sorry penalty.

> 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.

On the return trip, FCM sacked Bo Henriksen in the airport.

First match under the interim manager duo, was a 5-1 win, so
everything rosy? Well, in the next two matches FCM saw two 3-0 turn
into two 3-3.

> Malmö FF (SWE) v FK ŽALGIRIS (LTU) 0-2 (0-0), 0-3 on aggregate

Bwahahaha.

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:
> > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup.
> > > > > > > > > https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png

Champions League Play-Off, 2nd leg
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

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 <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)

> 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

Everybody will want to draw Frankfurt. And perhaps a depleted Ajax
side.

> 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

Leipzig the choise pick?

> 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

There might not be any trips to Bodø is November, but teams could end up
going to places like Lissabon, Napoli and Haifa.

> 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

Em quinta-feira, 25 de agosto de 2022 às 12:18:56 UTC-3, Jesper Lauridsen escreveu:
> 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)

I'll try...
London, Athens, Milan, Seville, Lisbon

Checks...
3/5

> Bonus quiz: can you name the 3 German teams from that year?
> (Hint: you'll never get this right)

Bayern, Werder and Leverkusen.

Checks...
1/3

Tchau!
Jesus Petry

On 2022-08-25 08:31, vedran wrote:
> 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.

All of Benfica, Rangers and Dinamo would have had to lose for that to
happen, no ? The chances of a Benfica loss were very small indeed.
They seem to be in great form and I can't imagine anyone wants them in
their group (especially Frankfurt, Milan, and Ajax, whom I see, rightly
or wrongly, as the softests touches among the top seeds).
>
>> 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 17:54, Werner Pichler wrote:
> 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.

I saw a fair bit of this game and it was quite entertaining. Rangers
have certainly punched above their weight in Europe recently, and though
(as in this case) they rarely look comfortable, fortune has smiled on
them on a lot of occasions, and they certainly work hard.

I read this in the Scotsman yesterday before the match,

https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/rangers/why-scottish-football-could-be-better-served-by-rangers-and-hearts-losing-in-europe-this-week-3816226?amp

and I can sort of see his point, although he neglects to point out that
a third place finish , not completely beyond the reach of any of the
three teams, prolongs their European participation and gives the
opportunity for more coefficient points. A lot depends on the luck of
the draw. Pot 1 is a bit uneven in the CL and although pot 3 looks
formidable, clubs like Salzburg or the pretenders from Leverkusen could
slip up. There are teams in pots 2 and 3 of the EL that Hearts might
well beat at home, providing they qualify (I am not optimistic).

>
>
>
> --
> 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 2022-08-25 09:18, Jesper Lauridsen wrote:
> 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)

Wild guess:

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

>

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:
> >>
> >> 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)
> Wild guess:
>
> 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?
> > (Hint: you'll never get this right)
> >
> Bayern, Schalke, HSV, but I am guessing. Might even have been someone
> like Hertha or Stuttgart

You did as well as me. But one of your other options would give you one more.

Tchau!
Jesus Petry

On 25.8.2022. 18:52, MH wrote:

> All of Benfica, Rangers and Dinamo would have had to lose for that to
> happen, no ?

Yes, it was unlikely for all that to happen and they look pretty
stupid right now, for example, here's one article

https://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2022&mm=08&dd=17&nav_id=2198847

titled: "Red Star celebrating Dinamo defeat: getting closer to the 3rd pot"
This was after Dinamo lost first match and Red Star had yet to
play their first match.

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

On Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 4:54:44 PM UTC-7, Werner Pichler wrote:

> 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.

Especially with the three teams they drew, they will definitely get a lot of ticket money, and a very quick ticket to the Europa League.
> 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.

Thinking we could see an Old Firm in the EL knockouts?
Mike

On 2022-08-25 11:13, Jesus Petry wrote:
> 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:
>>>>
>>>> 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)
>> Wild guess:
>>
>> London
>> Glasgow
>> Valencia if Villareal counts as part of Valencia ?
>> Milan
>> Lisbon
>> Istanbul
>
> You did better than me (only missed one).

Is six the record ? Seems to me the cities in contention (i.e have
more than one team that (ir)regularly qualified for the CL since at
least two teams were first allowed) would be:

Madrid, Sevilla, Moscow, Istanbul, Milan, Rome, London, Glasgow,
Manchester, Athens, Lisbon, and maybe Porto (have Boavista ever made
it?) not sure about Prague, Bucharest, and Belgrade (Partizan and Red
Star ?) or Vienna for that matter.
>
>>> 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
>
> You did as well as me. But one of your other options would give you one more.
>
> Tchau!
> Jesus Petry

On Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 7:21:10 AM UTC-7, Werner Pichler wrote:

> 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.

Tells you how thin the financial reality of European football is right now.
> 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.

A CL abandonment? Or at least CLOSE? That was eight on the pitch at the end and some very real issues.

But, again, as I've said: If you get a referee that enforces the Laws, you have a very real chance you will end up abandoning the match. Let's hope we see this official more.
Mike

In article <5a73e42f-9933-4fb0-b3a0-48264feff5ffn@googlegroups.com>,
Michael Falkner <darkstar7646@gmail.com> wrote:
>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

Groups of Death throughout.
--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
Yahweh, Queen & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism https://www.empire.kred/ROOTNK?t=94a1f39b Nothing holds us back like that which we suppose to be true. -unknown Beware https://mindspring.com

On Thursday, 25 August 2022 at 01:54:44 UTC+2, Werner Pichler wrote:
>
> (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...)

But now you'll get to see charming Herning and its lovely pitch.

On Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 12:54:44 AM UTC+1, Werner Pichler wrote:
> 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:
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > Second, and second-to-last season in the current setup.
> > > > > > > > > > https://kassiesa.net/uefa/files/2021-24-uefa-club-competitions-scheme.png
> Champions League Play-Off, 2nd leg
> 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

On 2022-08-25, Michael Falkner <darkstar7646@gmail.com> wrote:
> And here you go: Here's the draw:
>
> A: Ajax, Liverpool, Napoli, and Rangers

Clearly Liverpool.

> B: FC Porto, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Club Brugge

Meh group.

> C: Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Viktoria Plzen

Group of Death.

> D: Eintracht Frankfurt, Tottenham Hotspur, Sporting CP, Marseille

Ultimate meh.

> E: AC Milan, Chelsea, FC Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb

This could throw up some surprises.

> F: Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donesk, Celtic

Real cakewalk.

> G: Manchester City, Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, Copenhagen

Is Pep going to use Haaland in the group stage? If not, the Vikings
team is screwed.

> H: PSG, Juventus, Benefica, Maccabi Haifa

The FM group.

Kick off next Tuesday.