The Swamp

Started right after the finals...Fun story of the first qualification pod in Iceland. Long way to Wembley next June 1st.

The pod was Athlteic Club d'Escaleds (Andora), Buducnost Podgorica (Montengro), Tre Penne (San Marino), and Breioablik (Iceland)

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/ ... nd-2023-24

First Qualifying round is next week (Wed, Thursday) and the 2nd leg the week after. We get teams like Maccabi Haifi (who play Ħamrun Spartans of the Maltese Premier League), Bate Borisov, Dinamo Tbillsi, Astana (not just a cycling, basketball, and handball club), Lincoln Red Imps (Gibralter), The The New Saints of Oswestry Town & Llansantffraid Football Club (Welsh top flight champions whose team plays at Wrexham's stadium for Uefa games becuase the "Recreation Stadium" is not good enough)

Second round see Molde, Copenhagen, Aris Limasso, Dinazmo Zagreb, and Galatasary enter the champions path, and nipro-1, Panathinaikos, Genk, and Servette enter the League Path.

Third Round we see Sparta Prague, AEK Athens join the champions patha nd Rangers, Braga, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille, Strum Graz, and TSC join.

The last playoff round gets Antwerp and Young boys added to the mix.

Nobody cares about the Champions League this year.

Shirley wrote: ↑Tue Jul 04, 2023 4:36 am Nobody cares about the Champions League this year.

Seconded.

I got Breiðablik going all the way after impressive road wins at Tre Penne (1-7) and Budućnost Podgorica (0-5)

Shirley wrote: ↑Tue Jul 04, 2023 4:36 am Nobody cares about the Champions League this year.

This is the first time I've cared in 6 years! Although I still followed all of the Americans playing.

KI Klaksvik goes into leg 2 with a 2-1 lead over Molde. If they can hold they will likely get Galatasaray for a shot at the group stage.

Via the Championships Path we may get a few extra tiny minnows into the group stage.

Group F catches the eye

Group of actual death

Baloney wrote: ↑Thu Aug 31, 2023 2:42 pm Group F catches the eye

Especially if you're a Newcastle fan. Yikes.

Baloney wrote: ↑Thu Aug 31, 2023 2:42 pm Group F catches the eye

Hey...where's Liverpool?

Oh...that's right...

You HAVE to see the end of the Lazio-Atletico game.

Massive point for NUFC away from St. James’s.

cerranoredux wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2023 4:02 pm Massive point for NUFC away from St. James’s.

Heck yes.

Pruitt IV wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2023 3:58 pm You HAVE to see the end of the Lazio-Atletico game.

Insane

Was funny to see Jesse Marsch show up as the "on pitch" reporter at the San Siro. Turns out his wife just got her Italian citizenship, and he has moved to Italy full time.

DaveInSeattle wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:35 pmTurns out his wife just got her Italian citizenship, and he has moved to Italy full time.

I've been told that it's relatively easy to get Italian citizenship if you have at least one Italian grandparent. I have two friends going through that process now. An EU passport would be a great thing to have.

Steve of phpBB wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:46 pm

DaveInSeattle wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:35 pmTurns out his wife just got her Italian citizenship, and he has moved to Italy full time.

I've been told that it's relatively easy to get Italian citizenship if you have at least one Italian grandparent. I have two friends going through that process now. An EU passport would be a great thing to have.

In NYC, Jews and Italians are like the same. Does this carry any weight? I'd love to move to Italy.

Both have their moms apply for citizenship for them?

They moms

definitely requires a new thread at some point but i'd periodically looked into this in the past - my grandfather came over 1001 years ago from Italy and i would pay good money to get some sort of get out of jailusa card - there's some lack of clarity as to whether you're eligible if the relative/s "renounced" old citizenship or not.

not sure how you do that when you're 2 years old.

Steve of phpBB wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:46 pm

DaveInSeattle wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:35 pmTurns out his wife just got her Italian citizenship, and he has moved to Italy full time.

I've been told that it's relatively easy to get Italian citizenship if you have at least one Italian grandparent. I have two friends going through that process now. An EU passport would be a great thing to have.

Pretty sure that would only qualify him for a Holy Roman Empire passport.

Steve of phpBB wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:46 pm

DaveInSeattle wrote: ↑Tue Sep 19, 2023 7:35 pmTurns out his wife just got her Italian citizenship, and he has moved to Italy full time.

I've been told that it's relatively easy to get Italian citizenship if you have at least one Italian grandparent. I have two friends going through that process now. An EU passport would be a great thing to have.

Will definitely help you get that EU work permit...which is important for that transfer and an opportunity to play champions league.

WTAF

That is farcical.

I hope the players say something about this.

So, yeah, at what point do all the EU soccer players try to form some type of bargaining entity? Or maybe that exists?

Because this really is just another version of trying to create a Super League that further waters down/devalues domestic leagues. All while absolutely ensuring a rise in injuries. I would think the managers would have similar concerns.

If I hold my camera up to ManU's jersey's, will I be taken to the team shop website?

You might be taken to an application for a coaching job!!!!!!!

What a U-14 rt. 1 goal by the Galatasaray.

On the bright side, United have a really good chance of reaching the Europa League round of 16

Roy Hudson makes Dick Vitale say "maybe you should tone it down a notch"...

(Hudson on Almiron's goal was predictably over the top)

DaveInSeattle wrote: ↑Wed Oct 04, 2023 2:20 pm Roy Hudson makes Dick Vitale say "maybe you should tone it down a notch"...

(Hudson on Almiron's goal was predictably over the top)

Funny, I didn’t notice.

If the Phillies clinch tonight, this might go down as the best sports day in my 47 years. 4-1 and that score line flatters PSG.

What a goal the Citizens winner was

Newcastle wearing the Saudi National team kits is just weird looking.

Young Boys just wanna have fun, but the ref is having none of it, awarding Man City a penalty against Sandro Lauper!

Have Atletico -1.5. That red card against Celtic will help hopefully.

Thank goodness goal differential is a thing.

brian wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 3:30 pm Have Atletico -1.5. That red card against Celtic will help hopefully.

Thank goodness goal differential is a thing.

I've got a City, Porto, Atletico, Lazio parlay.

mister d wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 3:23 pm Young Boys just wanna have fun, but the ref is having none of it, awarding Man City a penalty against Sandro Lauper!

Crackerjack!

brian wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 3:30 pm Have Atletico -1.5. That red card against Celtic will help hopefully.

Thank goodness goal differential is a thing.

Should grabbed the Atletico -5.5.

Bonkers game in Copenhagen