If the Champions League draw was comparatively dull, the Europa League draw was not. The first two draws drawn out of the hat were Porto-Man City and Ajax-United. The four biggest losers from the Champions League group stage clashing against each other straight away.
And on top of that, Porto or City will likely play Sporting ín the next round.
5 out of 8 English teams survived the group stage if you include the Manchester teams demoted to Europa League. Not a great result, but what next:
Napoli-Chelsea
Milan-Arsenal
Porto-City
Ajax-United
Stoke-Valencia
Wow. Hard to make up a tougher draw.
Other big games to look forward to are
Lazio-Atlectico
AZ-Anderlecht
A possible Liege-Brugge tie in the next round
Showing posts with label Europa League. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Europa League. Show all posts
Friday, 16 December 2011
Saturday, 27 August 2011
The year of the double Dutch?
I'm not gonna predict all Champions League and Europa League here.
But maybe a few comments on the draws in random order - leaving aside the Milan-Barca-Zlatan implications that we have already dealt with.
What else?
Group A with Bayern, Villareal, Man City and Napoli has rightly been dubbed the group of death. Any group with Man C would probably be called that, but joined also by one of the two strongest fourth seeds, Napoli (the other, even stronger, being Dortmund), it is indeed a strong group.
Manchester United and Benfica should go through in Group C, just like Milan and Barca should go through in their groups. Still. What beautiful football games. What memories. OK, I was not really on Wembley in 1968, but that Manchester United win is one of the classics. And Milan's thrashing in the deam final against Barcelona in 1994 still ranks as one of the most extatic football memories of all times.
The third clash of historic titans is Real-Ajax, but it''s not quite the same these days. And they never played each other in a final.
Arsenal-Dortmund has the potential to be one of the best games in the tournament. Shame it clashes with Milan-Barca: no one, including me, will watch.
Europa League does not provide the same excitement. But I was surprised over the lack of exciting draws. Atlectico, Udinese, Rennes is a fine group though.
Otherwise Europa League has a tendency of being dominated by a different league every year. We had Germany, we had Ukraine, and last year we very much had Portgual. Who's up?
England have four teams, but that is too boring. Holland is a great candidate, I would not be surprised if at the knockout stage we have four Dutch teams that all have the potential to progress even further. Belgium has made a good tournament so far but have tougher draws. So Holland is my bet. Remember that next spring.
But maybe a few comments on the draws in random order - leaving aside the Milan-Barca-Zlatan implications that we have already dealt with.
What else?
Group A with Bayern, Villareal, Man City and Napoli has rightly been dubbed the group of death. Any group with Man C would probably be called that, but joined also by one of the two strongest fourth seeds, Napoli (the other, even stronger, being Dortmund), it is indeed a strong group.
Manchester United and Benfica should go through in Group C, just like Milan and Barca should go through in their groups. Still. What beautiful football games. What memories. OK, I was not really on Wembley in 1968, but that Manchester United win is one of the classics. And Milan's thrashing in the deam final against Barcelona in 1994 still ranks as one of the most extatic football memories of all times.
The third clash of historic titans is Real-Ajax, but it''s not quite the same these days. And they never played each other in a final.
Arsenal-Dortmund has the potential to be one of the best games in the tournament. Shame it clashes with Milan-Barca: no one, including me, will watch.
Europa League does not provide the same excitement. But I was surprised over the lack of exciting draws. Atlectico, Udinese, Rennes is a fine group though.
Otherwise Europa League has a tendency of being dominated by a different league every year. We had Germany, we had Ukraine, and last year we very much had Portgual. Who's up?
England have four teams, but that is too boring. Holland is a great candidate, I would not be surprised if at the knockout stage we have four Dutch teams that all have the potential to progress even further. Belgium has made a good tournament so far but have tougher draws. So Holland is my bet. Remember that next spring.
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Bullet with butterfly wings
2011 was supposed to be the big season. Instead of chasing our first gold, we have to accept that after five straight losses in the league we have gone from number three to fighting to avoid relegation. Örebro gone Sampdoria. Me no like.
So with the league being what it is, we still have to competitions we're still in. And today is a crucial day for both of them.
The cup semifinals are drawn tonight, just after the end of the Sarajevo-Örebro SK clash in the Europa League qualifications, the second leg after a goal less draw in Örebro.
But we come to Sarajevo with weak ammunition. Not only do we have a raft of injuries and one player sold. Yesterday we learnt that Lushtaku cannot get an entry visa to Bosnia since he is Kosovan and Kosovo is not recognized by Bosnia. Maybe the fact that Lushtaku at least accoring to some sources on the web is the son of politician/mayor/maffioso Sami Lushtako has something to do with it as well.
Anyway, look at the expected starting 11 this season:
Goal: Alvbåge - available but has just kind of made clear he will leave at the end of the season
Rightback: Anttonen - njured in the beginning of the season, now injured again
Central defender 1: Almebäck - sold and gone
Central defender 2: Wikström - injured
Rightback: Wowoah - available, always available
Defensive midfieder: Kihlberg - available but unimpressive
Running midfielder: Bedoya - brilliant before the gold cup, then back only to be sent off, and then picking up an injury. And probably he is happy not to play anyway as he is about to be sold and doesn't want to get cuptied. We may never see him in black and white again
Offensive midfielder: Gerzic - available and oh so important today
Rightwing: Astvald - just back from injury but having a terrible terrible season
Centerforward: Haddad - injured, on his way back.
Leftwing: Rama - available
There was a lot of talk of the breadth of the squad at the beginning of the season. Well, it's looking pretty thin now as many of the back up players are injured too and since we only have one natural central defender in the squad, who is injured.
So tonight I expect to see:
Alvbåge
Wirtanten (third choice right back)
Haginge (a right back going central)
Nordback (a midfielder falling back)
Wowoah
Kihlberg
Paulinho (a winger in midfield)
Gerzic
Astvald
Staaf (sixth choice a centre forward)
Rama
Bench:
Nurme, Johansson, Abdulahi, Berger, Nilsson, Ibrahim, Yasin.
If we make it it will be the biggest achievement by Swedes in Sarajevo since Wassberg one the 50 km in 1984.
So with the league being what it is, we still have to competitions we're still in. And today is a crucial day for both of them.
The cup semifinals are drawn tonight, just after the end of the Sarajevo-Örebro SK clash in the Europa League qualifications, the second leg after a goal less draw in Örebro.
But we come to Sarajevo with weak ammunition. Not only do we have a raft of injuries and one player sold. Yesterday we learnt that Lushtaku cannot get an entry visa to Bosnia since he is Kosovan and Kosovo is not recognized by Bosnia. Maybe the fact that Lushtaku at least accoring to some sources on the web is the son of politician/mayor/maffioso Sami Lushtako has something to do with it as well.
Anyway, look at the expected starting 11 this season:
Goal: Alvbåge - available but has just kind of made clear he will leave at the end of the season
Rightback: Anttonen - njured in the beginning of the season, now injured again
Central defender 1: Almebäck - sold and gone
Central defender 2: Wikström - injured
Rightback: Wowoah - available, always available
Defensive midfieder: Kihlberg - available but unimpressive
Running midfielder: Bedoya - brilliant before the gold cup, then back only to be sent off, and then picking up an injury. And probably he is happy not to play anyway as he is about to be sold and doesn't want to get cuptied. We may never see him in black and white again
Offensive midfielder: Gerzic - available and oh so important today
Rightwing: Astvald - just back from injury but having a terrible terrible season
Centerforward: Haddad - injured, on his way back.
Leftwing: Rama - available
There was a lot of talk of the breadth of the squad at the beginning of the season. Well, it's looking pretty thin now as many of the back up players are injured too and since we only have one natural central defender in the squad, who is injured.
So tonight I expect to see:
Alvbåge
Wirtanten (third choice right back)
Haginge (a right back going central)
Nordback (a midfielder falling back)
Wowoah
Kihlberg
Paulinho (a winger in midfield)
Gerzic
Astvald
Staaf (sixth choice a centre forward)
Rama
Bench:
Nurme, Johansson, Abdulahi, Berger, Nilsson, Ibrahim, Yasin.
If we make it it will be the biggest achievement by Swedes in Sarajevo since Wassberg one the 50 km in 1984.
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Getting ready for Diego and Diego's son-in-law
And when I'm at it, don't for a second think that I am not aware of the fact that the draw for the 3rd round of the qualification happens already tomorrow.
I'm afraid there will be no mapping of each possible contender here, but let's just look at the possible oppponents for Örebro, should they proceed to the next stage.
We are talking some serious teams here. I think we cannot play Elfsborg or Helsingborg. I list the other in categories (i) should not be possible, (ii) very very tough, (iii) very tough and (iv) 50/50 or better chance
[Edit: downgraded Alania to a 50/50. This is the team we lost to, 2-1, in a pre-season friendly in Turkey. Or not so friendly, actually. It was a brutal game and Marcus Astvald after the game stated that Russians were "one of the ugliest people there are". "Ugly" in a brutal football kind of way, but still Marcus had to retract that statement. Anyway, I noticed that Alania is a second division team that qualified for the Europa League as cup runner up. They did so without scoring one single goal before the final, which they lost. All other games they won on walk over or on penalties after goal less draws, all against teams far from the elite of Russian football. They currently play in the Russian second league, where they are in second position]
Should not be possible
Atletico Madrid (Forlan and Kun Aguero may be gone by then, but still)
Fulham (if they beat Crusaders, which they will)
Palermo
Very very tough
AZ Alkmaar
Hapoel Tel Aviv
PAOK Saloniki
Stoke City
Rennes
Nacional (if they beat FH)
Mainz 05
Vitoria Guimares
Bursaspor
Very tough
Club Brugge (against Iron Mike!)
Sparta Prague
Dinamo Bucharest
Red Bull Salzburg (if they beat Liepajas Metalurgs)
Austria Wien (if they beat Rudar)
Young Boys
Anorthosis (if they beat Gagra)
Levski Sofia
Zilina (if they beat KR Reykjavik)
Karpaty Lviv
Red Star
ADO Den Haag (if they beat Tauras)
Gaziantepspor (if they beat Minsk)
Olympiakos Volou (if they beat Rad)
50/50 or better chance
Crusaders (if they beat Fulham, like that would happen)
Liepajas Metalurgs (if they beat Red Bull Salzburg, not very likely)
Rudar (if they beat Austria)
Alania Vladikavkaz
Gagra (if they beat Anorthosis)
KR Reykjavik (if they beat Zilina)
FH (if they beat Nacional)
Mlada Boleslav
Brondby
Sherif Tirasspol (if they beat Zeljeznicar)
Zeljeznicar (if they beat Sherif)
Tauras (if they beat ADO)
Lokomotiv Sofia (if they beat Metalurg Skopje)
Skopje (if they beat Metalurg)
Hearts
Minsk (if they beat Gaziantepspor)
Rad (if they beat Volou)
I'm afraid there will be no mapping of each possible contender here, but let's just look at the possible oppponents for Örebro, should they proceed to the next stage.
We are talking some serious teams here. I think we cannot play Elfsborg or Helsingborg. I list the other in categories (i) should not be possible, (ii) very very tough, (iii) very tough and (iv) 50/50 or better chance
[Edit: downgraded Alania to a 50/50. This is the team we lost to, 2-1, in a pre-season friendly in Turkey. Or not so friendly, actually. It was a brutal game and Marcus Astvald after the game stated that Russians were "one of the ugliest people there are". "Ugly" in a brutal football kind of way, but still Marcus had to retract that statement. Anyway, I noticed that Alania is a second division team that qualified for the Europa League as cup runner up. They did so without scoring one single goal before the final, which they lost. All other games they won on walk over or on penalties after goal less draws, all against teams far from the elite of Russian football. They currently play in the Russian second league, where they are in second position]
Should not be possible
Atletico Madrid (Forlan and Kun Aguero may be gone by then, but still)
Fulham (if they beat Crusaders, which they will)
Palermo
Very very tough
AZ Alkmaar
Hapoel Tel Aviv
PAOK Saloniki
Stoke City
Rennes
Nacional (if they beat FH)
Mainz 05
Vitoria Guimares
Bursaspor
Very tough
Club Brugge (against Iron Mike!)
Sparta Prague
Dinamo Bucharest
Red Bull Salzburg (if they beat Liepajas Metalurgs)
Austria Wien (if they beat Rudar)
Young Boys
Anorthosis (if they beat Gagra)
Levski Sofia
Zilina (if they beat KR Reykjavik)
Karpaty Lviv
Red Star
ADO Den Haag (if they beat Tauras)
Gaziantepspor (if they beat Minsk)
Olympiakos Volou (if they beat Rad)
50/50 or better chance
Crusaders (if they beat Fulham, like that would happen)
Liepajas Metalurgs (if they beat Red Bull Salzburg, not very likely)
Rudar (if they beat Austria)
Alania Vladikavkaz
Gagra (if they beat Anorthosis)
KR Reykjavik (if they beat Zilina)
FH (if they beat Nacional)
Mlada Boleslav
Brondby
Sherif Tirasspol (if they beat Zeljeznicar)
Zeljeznicar (if they beat Sherif)
Tauras (if they beat ADO)
Lokomotiv Sofia (if they beat Metalurg Skopje)
Skopje (if they beat Metalurg)
Hearts
Minsk (if they beat Gaziantepspor)
Rad (if they beat Volou)
Too late, tonight, to drag the past out into the light
I should be fired for negligence. The whole spring I have followed (i) Bedoya's struggle to make it to the Gold cup squad and (ii) Örebro's preparations for the Europan League qualifications. And when the things are actulally happening: total silence, pitch darkness.
Two main reasons, really. Lots of real work and, more importantly, an austrich in the sand reaction to Örebro's absolutely miserable summer so far. No wins in five games, four straight losses. But some sneak peaks into press reports suggest that we played ok in the last game.
And tonight's the night. Time to look forward. I wish I could be in Örebro tonight.
What else can I say. We are playing a team with plenty of new players. A team with a small budget. A team from a league that so far in the qualification has not impressed.
Champions Borac Banjaluka lost 5-1 to admittedly strong Maccabi Haifa last night. Siroki Birjeg, that easily beat Olimpija Ljubljana last year and oddly enough played them again this year now lost 3-0 on aggregate.
So had we not had one of our worst spells ever, we would have been clear favourites tonight. Now, I just don't know.
Two main reasons, really. Lots of real work and, more importantly, an austrich in the sand reaction to Örebro's absolutely miserable summer so far. No wins in five games, four straight losses. But some sneak peaks into press reports suggest that we played ok in the last game.
And tonight's the night. Time to look forward. I wish I could be in Örebro tonight.
What else can I say. We are playing a team with plenty of new players. A team with a small budget. A team from a league that so far in the qualification has not impressed.
Champions Borac Banjaluka lost 5-1 to admittedly strong Maccabi Haifa last night. Siroki Birjeg, that easily beat Olimpija Ljubljana last year and oddly enough played them again this year now lost 3-0 on aggregate.
So had we not had one of our worst spells ever, we would have been clear favourites tonight. Now, I just don't know.
Friday, 17 June 2011
I spy... no more
Let's stop it right there.
Some teams I did not get around to assess, and will only briedly comment on:
St. Patrick's, Ireland: A good draw, 60% chance of winning
Qarabag: Not sure we wanna go to Azerbaijan, and this is a team with recent European experience not doing so badly at all: 55%
Jagiellonia: A new polish team that played Europa League qualifiers for the first time last season, losing to Aris from Greece. The Polish league has not impressed lately. 60%
Rabotnicki, Macedonia: 60%
Aktobe: Not sure I want to go to Kazakhstan either. The dominating team in Kazakh football over the last years, but never impressive in Europe and only 4th in the League currently. 65%
Vojvodina: Beat us twice in the Intertoto cup in the 90s. Good goalkeeper. 50%
Bohemians, Ireland: Plenty of European experience, but almost exclusively from losing. 70%
AEK Larnaca: Here I have a bit more: The played really well in the first half of the season, beyond expectations since they were coming from the second division (they got relegated for a year). In the second half of the season they simply collapsed, not enough depth in the team. The only managed two wins in the second half against small teams. In the play offs (6 games against the top 3 teams) they lost every single game and scored only one goal, pathetic really. Common point with Anorthosis is that they are restructuring too. Their technical director is none other that Jordi Croyf (aka son of Johan) so he manages to attract good transfer targets. For example they got Kevin Hofland (ex PSV) on their roster. So it remains to be seen whom they manage to attract. They could do well but they lack the 'big team" factor. 60%
Trnava, Slovakia: Unimpressive European record (save for the 70s). Were lucky to qualify. 60%
Dinamo Tbilsi: Team with a great past, including a cupwinners cup final in 1981 and semifinal in 1982. Recently returned to European play (beating Gefle last year, more than we failed to do this year...). 60%
Sarajevo: Beat Helsingborg in 2009, on penalties. Dangerous. 50%
Honka: The club where we once found Roni Porokara. Average in the Finnish league so far. 70%
Levadia Tallinn: Top team in Estonia but we should still be better: 70%
RNK Split: Played in the Croatian fourth division in 2008. Since then they have won everything until the ended 3rd in the top league during their first season. With some great players on the squad. 50%
Varazdin: Only 11th in the Croatian league, qualified by losing the cup final. Where we once found Nedim Halilovic. 60%
Overall, a 50% chance we will make it. Dream opponent is Lokomotiv Sofia. Worst possible draw is Maccabi Tel Aviv. On Monday we will know. Watch this space.
Some teams I did not get around to assess, and will only briedly comment on:
St. Patrick's, Ireland: A good draw, 60% chance of winning
Qarabag: Not sure we wanna go to Azerbaijan, and this is a team with recent European experience not doing so badly at all: 55%
Jagiellonia: A new polish team that played Europa League qualifiers for the first time last season, losing to Aris from Greece. The Polish league has not impressed lately. 60%
Rabotnicki, Macedonia: 60%
Aktobe: Not sure I want to go to Kazakhstan either. The dominating team in Kazakh football over the last years, but never impressive in Europe and only 4th in the League currently. 65%
Vojvodina: Beat us twice in the Intertoto cup in the 90s. Good goalkeeper. 50%
Bohemians, Ireland: Plenty of European experience, but almost exclusively from losing. 70%
AEK Larnaca: Here I have a bit more: The played really well in the first half of the season, beyond expectations since they were coming from the second division (they got relegated for a year). In the second half of the season they simply collapsed, not enough depth in the team. The only managed two wins in the second half against small teams. In the play offs (6 games against the top 3 teams) they lost every single game and scored only one goal, pathetic really. Common point with Anorthosis is that they are restructuring too. Their technical director is none other that Jordi Croyf (aka son of Johan) so he manages to attract good transfer targets. For example they got Kevin Hofland (ex PSV) on their roster. So it remains to be seen whom they manage to attract. They could do well but they lack the 'big team" factor. 60%
Trnava, Slovakia: Unimpressive European record (save for the 70s). Were lucky to qualify. 60%
Dinamo Tbilsi: Team with a great past, including a cupwinners cup final in 1981 and semifinal in 1982. Recently returned to European play (beating Gefle last year, more than we failed to do this year...). 60%
Sarajevo: Beat Helsingborg in 2009, on penalties. Dangerous. 50%
Honka: The club where we once found Roni Porokara. Average in the Finnish league so far. 70%
Levadia Tallinn: Top team in Estonia but we should still be better: 70%
RNK Split: Played in the Croatian fourth division in 2008. Since then they have won everything until the ended 3rd in the top league during their first season. With some great players on the squad. 50%
Varazdin: Only 11th in the Croatian league, qualified by losing the cup final. Where we once found Nedim Halilovic. 60%
Overall, a 50% chance we will make it. Dream opponent is Lokomotiv Sofia. Worst possible draw is Maccabi Tel Aviv. On Monday we will know. Watch this space.
I spy... Norway
Running out of time, and as we may face no less than three Norwegian teams, here they come all at once.
Things to know about Vålerenga
Last season: 2nd
Qualified through: League position
Coach: Martin Andresen
Star: Luton Shelton
Links to Örebro: Both team were rumoured to chase Fulham fullback Fredrik Stoor in the January window. Stoor eventually signed for Vålerenga
Comment: Often referred to as the Hammarby of Norway. Teams that think it is an objective truth that they are charming have a tendency to make me vomit. But they have good fans and like Hammarby they are unpredictable. After a great last season they are now, soon midway through the Norwegian league, fighting relegation.
This is how we beat them: By being better than a Norwegian bottom team
Chance of Örebro winning: 60%
Things to know about Tromsø IL
Last season: 3rd
Qualified through: League position, entering in the 1st round
Coach: Per Mathias Høgmo
Star: Sigurd Rushfeldt, 38-year old striker who scored more goals in the Norwegian League than any other player, despite 10 or so years abroad. Played against Baresi in the 1994 World Cup.
Links to Örebro: Andriano Munoz was brought on to the Örebro squad from Tromsø. We remember him for a great goal against Gefle. Nothing else.
Comment: The arctic club brought up to the Norwegian top division for the first time by coach Tommy Svensson in 1990. That was enough to make him coach of Sweden. But Tromsø has stayed up ever since save for a one-year spell in 2002. The 3rd spot last year tied the result of 2008 as the best in the club’s history. In 2009 they made it to the Europa League Play off, just losing to Athletic Bilbao. The success is continuing this season, the team tops the Norwegian league, unbeaten after 10 games.
This is how we beat them: Despite a non-imposing squad, this will be tough. It’s not a high-scoring team, so if we can break the solid defence we have a good chance.
Chance of Örebro winning: 40%
Things to know about Ålesund
Last season: 4th
Qualified through: Fair play, entering in the 1st round
Coach: Kjetil Rekdal (83 caps for Norway!)
Star: Michael Barrantes Rojas, attacking midfielder
Links to Örebro: This is where we found (Örebro born) Magnus Kihlberg for the 2008 season. And one of the teams will get a star player back from the gold cup soon as Alejandro Bedoya (U.S) will face Jason Morrison (Jamaica) in the quarterfinals.
Comment: Feels like a fight between equals. Ålesund were fourth last year and are currently fourth in a league of similar strength despite having some more financial muscle (Ålesunds budget is about 50% higher than Örebro’s. A newcomer in the elite of Norwegian football, last season was their best ever and they debuted in the Europa League qualifier as cupwinners, losing to Motherwell in the 3rd round.
This is how we beat them: 2 players stand out from the rest: Cost Rican Rojas, mentioned above joined on loan last season and is now permanent and Jason Morrison, defender or defensive midfielder that was brought on for this season and who has 25 caps for Jamaica, was brought on from Strømgodset in the run up to this season.
Chance of Örebro winning: 50%.
Things to know about Vålerenga
Last season: 2nd
Qualified through: League position
Coach: Martin Andresen
Star: Luton Shelton
Links to Örebro: Both team were rumoured to chase Fulham fullback Fredrik Stoor in the January window. Stoor eventually signed for Vålerenga
Comment: Often referred to as the Hammarby of Norway. Teams that think it is an objective truth that they are charming have a tendency to make me vomit. But they have good fans and like Hammarby they are unpredictable. After a great last season they are now, soon midway through the Norwegian league, fighting relegation.
This is how we beat them: By being better than a Norwegian bottom team
Chance of Örebro winning: 60%
Things to know about Tromsø IL
Last season: 3rd
Qualified through: League position, entering in the 1st round
Coach: Per Mathias Høgmo
Star: Sigurd Rushfeldt, 38-year old striker who scored more goals in the Norwegian League than any other player, despite 10 or so years abroad. Played against Baresi in the 1994 World Cup.
Links to Örebro: Andriano Munoz was brought on to the Örebro squad from Tromsø. We remember him for a great goal against Gefle. Nothing else.
Comment: The arctic club brought up to the Norwegian top division for the first time by coach Tommy Svensson in 1990. That was enough to make him coach of Sweden. But Tromsø has stayed up ever since save for a one-year spell in 2002. The 3rd spot last year tied the result of 2008 as the best in the club’s history. In 2009 they made it to the Europa League Play off, just losing to Athletic Bilbao. The success is continuing this season, the team tops the Norwegian league, unbeaten after 10 games.
This is how we beat them: Despite a non-imposing squad, this will be tough. It’s not a high-scoring team, so if we can break the solid defence we have a good chance.
Chance of Örebro winning: 40%
Things to know about Ålesund
Last season: 4th
Qualified through: Fair play, entering in the 1st round
Coach: Kjetil Rekdal (83 caps for Norway!)
Star: Michael Barrantes Rojas, attacking midfielder
Links to Örebro: This is where we found (Örebro born) Magnus Kihlberg for the 2008 season. And one of the teams will get a star player back from the gold cup soon as Alejandro Bedoya (U.S) will face Jason Morrison (Jamaica) in the quarterfinals.
Comment: Feels like a fight between equals. Ålesund were fourth last year and are currently fourth in a league of similar strength despite having some more financial muscle (Ålesunds budget is about 50% higher than Örebro’s. A newcomer in the elite of Norwegian football, last season was their best ever and they debuted in the Europa League qualifier as cupwinners, losing to Motherwell in the 3rd round.
This is how we beat them: 2 players stand out from the rest: Cost Rican Rojas, mentioned above joined on loan last season and is now permanent and Jason Morrison, defender or defensive midfielder that was brought on for this season and who has 25 caps for Jamaica, was brought on from Strømgodset in the run up to this season.
Chance of Örebro winning: 50%.
I spy... Norway
Running out of time, and as we may face no less than three Norwegian teams, here they come all at once.
Things to know about Vålerenga
Last season: 2nd
Qualified through: League position
Coach: Martin Andresen
Star: Luton Shelton
Links to Örebro: Both team were rumoured to chase Fulham fullback Fredrik Stoor in the January window. Stoor eventually signed for Vålerenga
Comment: Often referred to as the Hammarby of Norway. Teams that think it is an objective truth that they are charming have a tendency to make me vomit. But they have good fans and like Hammarby they are unpredictable. After a great last season they are now, soon midway through the Norwegian league, fighting relegation.
This is how we beat them: By being better than a Norwegian bottom team
Chance of Örebro winning: 60%
Things to know about Tromsø IL
Last season: 3rd
Qualified through: League position, entering in the 1st round
Coach: Per Mathias Høgmo
Star: Sigurd Rushfeldt, 38-year old striker who scored more goals in the Norwegian League than any other player, despite 10 or so years abroad. Played against Baresi in the 1994 World Cup.
Links to Örebro: Andriano Munoz was brought on to the Örebro squad from Tromsø. We remember him for a great goal against Gefle. Nothing else.
Comment: The arctic club brought up to the Norwegian top division for the first time by coach Tommy Svensson in 1990. That was enough to make him coach of Sweden. But Tromsø has stayed up ever since save for a one-year spell in 2002. The 3rd spot last year tied the result of 2008 as the best in the club’s history. In 2009 they made it to the Europa League Play off, just losing to Athletic Bilbao. The success is continuing this season, the team tops the Norwegian league, unbeaten after 10 games.
This is how we beat them: Despite a non-imposing squad, this will be tough. It’s not a high-scoring team, so if we can break the solid defence we have a good chance.
Chance of Örebro winning: 40%
Things to know about Ålesund
Last season: 4th
Qualified through: Fair play, entering in the 1st round
Coach: Kjetil Rekdal (83 caps for Norway!)
Star: Michael Barrantes Rojas, attacking midfielder
Links to Örebro: This is where we found (Örebro born) Magnus Kihlberg for the 2008 season. And one of the teams will get a star player back from the gold cup soon as Alejandro Bedoya (U.S) will face Jason Morrison (Jamaica) in the quarterfinals.
Comment: Feels like a fight between equals. Ålesund were fourth last year and are currently fourth in a league of similar strength despite having some more financial muscle (Ålesunds budget is about 50% higher than Örebro’s. A newcomer in the elite of Norwegian football, last season was their best ever and they debuted in the Europa League qualifier as cupwinners, losing to Motherwell in the 3rd round.
This is how we beat them: 2 players stand out from the rest: Cost Rican Rojas, mentioned above joined on loan last season and is now permanent and Jason Morrison, defender or defensive midfielder that was brought on for this season and who has 25 caps for Jamaica, was brought on from Strømgodset in the run up to this season.
Chance of Örebro winning: 50%.
Things to know about Vålerenga
Last season: 2nd
Qualified through: League position
Coach: Martin Andresen
Star: Luton Shelton
Links to Örebro: Both team were rumoured to chase Fulham fullback Fredrik Stoor in the January window. Stoor eventually signed for Vålerenga
Comment: Often referred to as the Hammarby of Norway. Teams that think it is an objective truth that they are charming have a tendency to make me vomit. But they have good fans and like Hammarby they are unpredictable. After a great last season they are now, soon midway through the Norwegian league, fighting relegation.
This is how we beat them: By being better than a Norwegian bottom team
Chance of Örebro winning: 60%
Things to know about Tromsø IL
Last season: 3rd
Qualified through: League position, entering in the 1st round
Coach: Per Mathias Høgmo
Star: Sigurd Rushfeldt, 38-year old striker who scored more goals in the Norwegian League than any other player, despite 10 or so years abroad. Played against Baresi in the 1994 World Cup.
Links to Örebro: Andriano Munoz was brought on to the Örebro squad from Tromsø. We remember him for a great goal against Gefle. Nothing else.
Comment: The arctic club brought up to the Norwegian top division for the first time by coach Tommy Svensson in 1990. That was enough to make him coach of Sweden. But Tromsø has stayed up ever since save for a one-year spell in 2002. The 3rd spot last year tied the result of 2008 as the best in the club’s history. In 2009 they made it to the Europa League Play off, just losing to Athletic Bilbao. The success is continuing this season, the team tops the Norwegian league, unbeaten after 10 games.
This is how we beat them: Despite a non-imposing squad, this will be tough. It’s not a high-scoring team, so if we can break the solid defence we have a good chance.
Chance of Örebro winning: 40%
Things to know about Ålesund
Last season: 4th
Qualified through: Fair play, entering in the 1st round
Coach: Kjetil Rekdal (83 caps for Norway!)
Star: Michael Barrantes Rojas, attacking midfielder
Links to Örebro: This is where we found (Örebro born) Magnus Kihlberg for the 2008 season. And one of the teams will get a star player back from the gold cup soon as Alejandro Bedoya (U.S) will face Jason Morrison (Jamaica) in the quarterfinals.
Comment: Feels like a fight between equals. Ålesund were fourth last year and are currently fourth in a league of similar strength despite having some more financial muscle (Ålesunds budget is about 50% higher than Örebro’s. A newcomer in the elite of Norwegian football, last season was their best ever and they debuted in the Europa League qualifier as cupwinners, losing to Motherwell in the 3rd round.
This is how we beat them: 2 players stand out from the rest: Cost Rican Rojas, mentioned above joined on loan last season and is now permanent and Jason Morrison, defender or defensive midfielder that was brought on for this season and who has 25 caps for Jamaica, was brought on from Strømgodset in the run up to this season.
Chance of Örebro winning: 50%.
I spy... FC Thun (XXII)
Things to know about Thun
Last season: 5th
Qualified through: League position
Coach: Bernard Challandes
Star: Ezequiel Scarione
Links to Örebro: Say Thun and former Örebro striker Nicklas Skoog will start to shiver. Malmö FF had a great chance of qualifying for the Champions League in 2005, but underestimated the little Swiss club. They shouldn’t have.
Comment: Thun raise and fell quickly. The big surprise runner-up of the 2004/05 SwissLeague, a EUR2 million team from a small town, went into the Champions League qualifiers with low expectations. But Thun first beat Ukraine giant Dynamo Kyiv 3-2 on aggregate, and then thrashed Malmö FF 4-0 to qualify for the group stage. And by beating Sparta Prague at home and drawing away, it qualified for the UEFA Cup knock out stage where they finally lost to Hamburg. After that, it was all downhill for the club. Not only did they drop down the Swiss table until finally being relegated in 2008. In 2007, the news broke that most of the team had had sex with one and the same 15-year old girl. Several players were fines for sex with a minor, two were charged with rape but found not guilty. Now the team is back with a clean slate, winning the second division in 2010 and earning a 5th spot in their first season back in the top flight. However, success coach Murat Yakin has now left the club, being replaced with the fast-moving Bernard Challandes. They have also lost German star Proschwitz.
This is how we beat them: They are hard to beat, actually, but they draw a lot. So scoring away seems important.
Chance of Örebro winning: They probably over-performed this season, but let’s not underestimate them yet again. 50%
Last season: 5th
Qualified through: League position
Coach: Bernard Challandes
Star: Ezequiel Scarione
Links to Örebro: Say Thun and former Örebro striker Nicklas Skoog will start to shiver. Malmö FF had a great chance of qualifying for the Champions League in 2005, but underestimated the little Swiss club. They shouldn’t have.
Comment: Thun raise and fell quickly. The big surprise runner-up of the 2004/05 SwissLeague, a EUR2 million team from a small town, went into the Champions League qualifiers with low expectations. But Thun first beat Ukraine giant Dynamo Kyiv 3-2 on aggregate, and then thrashed Malmö FF 4-0 to qualify for the group stage. And by beating Sparta Prague at home and drawing away, it qualified for the UEFA Cup knock out stage where they finally lost to Hamburg. After that, it was all downhill for the club. Not only did they drop down the Swiss table until finally being relegated in 2008. In 2007, the news broke that most of the team had had sex with one and the same 15-year old girl. Several players were fines for sex with a minor, two were charged with rape but found not guilty. Now the team is back with a clean slate, winning the second division in 2010 and earning a 5th spot in their first season back in the top flight. However, success coach Murat Yakin has now left the club, being replaced with the fast-moving Bernard Challandes. They have also lost German star Proschwitz.
This is how we beat them: They are hard to beat, actually, but they draw a lot. So scoring away seems important.
Chance of Örebro winning: They probably over-performed this season, but let’s not underestimate them yet again. 50%
Thursday, 16 June 2011
I spy... Ventspils (XXI)
Things to know about Ventspils
Last season: 2nd
Qualified through: Cup winner
Coach: Sergei Podpaly
Star: Sukhanov
Links to Örebro: In March 2002, the teams played a pre-season friendly against each other in Latvia. Veterans Anttonen and Nordback participated in the 1-1 draw, where Jon Lundblad scored
Comment: How come a Latvian team is seeded in the 2nd round? It takes a bit of work to get there, and since Ventspils was created and entered the “Virsliga” they have the following streak: 4-3-3-2-2-2-3-3-3-1-1-1-2-2 (mostly second to Skonto). Unlike Skonto, Ventspils are not against bringing Russians on the team. Last year they were second and thus missed the Champions League qualifier, but it may be the only team that already now can be pretty sure they will be there next year. Latvia plays spring-autumn (like Sweden) and so far this year Ventspils have 11 wins, 1 draw and 0 losses and a goal difference of 39-2! But then again, it is the Latvian league. At European level, they only got anywhere was in 09/10, when they beat Bate Borisov to get to Champions League play-off which they lost but earned a spot in the Europa League group stage where they got 3 points after draws at home to Heerenveen and away to Hertha Berlin and Sporting Lisbon.
This is how we beat them: Despite the 39 goals in 12 games, Ventspils strength is in defence. Their three national team players are all defenders, captain Savcenkovs and yougsters Bespalovs and Rugins. Up front, new Sukhanov is top scorer of the league so far. One could argue that it should be hard for such a new team, 16 players came on for this season, but clearly everything clicks. I name us favourites, but just.
Chance of Örebro winning: 55%
Last season: 2nd
Qualified through: Cup winner
Coach: Sergei Podpaly
Star: Sukhanov
Links to Örebro: In March 2002, the teams played a pre-season friendly against each other in Latvia. Veterans Anttonen and Nordback participated in the 1-1 draw, where Jon Lundblad scored
Comment: How come a Latvian team is seeded in the 2nd round? It takes a bit of work to get there, and since Ventspils was created and entered the “Virsliga” they have the following streak: 4-3-3-2-2-2-3-3-3-1-1-1-2-2 (mostly second to Skonto). Unlike Skonto, Ventspils are not against bringing Russians on the team. Last year they were second and thus missed the Champions League qualifier, but it may be the only team that already now can be pretty sure they will be there next year. Latvia plays spring-autumn (like Sweden) and so far this year Ventspils have 11 wins, 1 draw and 0 losses and a goal difference of 39-2! But then again, it is the Latvian league. At European level, they only got anywhere was in 09/10, when they beat Bate Borisov to get to Champions League play-off which they lost but earned a spot in the Europa League group stage where they got 3 points after draws at home to Heerenveen and away to Hertha Berlin and Sporting Lisbon.
This is how we beat them: Despite the 39 goals in 12 games, Ventspils strength is in defence. Their three national team players are all defenders, captain Savcenkovs and yougsters Bespalovs and Rugins. Up front, new Sukhanov is top scorer of the league so far. One could argue that it should be hard for such a new team, 16 players came on for this season, but clearly everything clicks. I name us favourites, but just.
Chance of Örebro winning: 55%
I spy... Gaz Metan (XX)
Things to know about Gaz Metan
Last season: 7th
Qualified through: League position (Since Timisoara was kicked out of the league)
Coach: Cristian Pustai
Star: Eric Pereira
Links to Örebro: Only the black and white colours
Comment: As the serious researcher I am, I contacted my only source of Romanian football. She jumped when I wanted info on Gaz Metan. Not because of the football club but because she is now director of the Competition Council’s Directorate for Industry and Energy. And Gaz Metan simply means “methane gas”, what the home city, Medias I Transylvania, is famous for. Gaz Metan the team is yet to make the town famous, it has only made a few seasons in the top division and the 7th position last season was by far the best result ever.
This is how we beat them: Gaz Metan earned the spot in Europe by finishing 7th in the domestic league. The Romanian league may have been hot a few years ago when Cluj was investing hard and the top teams still deserve respect, but 7th placed Gaz is not so intimidating. We just have to watch out for Brazilian Eric Pereira, who was second best in the Romanian goal scoring league this season and who plays as a number 10 (albeit with number 27) in Gaz Metan’s 4-2-3-1 line-up.
Chance of Örebro winning: 60%
Last season: 7th
Qualified through: League position (Since Timisoara was kicked out of the league)
Coach: Cristian Pustai
Star: Eric Pereira
Links to Örebro: Only the black and white colours
Comment: As the serious researcher I am, I contacted my only source of Romanian football. She jumped when I wanted info on Gaz Metan. Not because of the football club but because she is now director of the Competition Council’s Directorate for Industry and Energy. And Gaz Metan simply means “methane gas”, what the home city, Medias I Transylvania, is famous for. Gaz Metan the team is yet to make the town famous, it has only made a few seasons in the top division and the 7th position last season was by far the best result ever.
This is how we beat them: Gaz Metan earned the spot in Europe by finishing 7th in the domestic league. The Romanian league may have been hot a few years ago when Cluj was investing hard and the top teams still deserve respect, but 7th placed Gaz is not so intimidating. We just have to watch out for Brazilian Eric Pereira, who was second best in the Romanian goal scoring league this season and who plays as a number 10 (albeit with number 27) in Gaz Metan’s 4-2-3-1 line-up.
Chance of Örebro winning: 60%
I spy... Jablonec (XIX)
Things to know about Jablonec
Last season: 3rd
Qualified through: League Position
Coach: František Komňacký
Star: David Lafata
Links to Örebro: We have a sorry European record, we know. Leaving aside the Intertoto Cup, we have beaten only two teams. At the first occasion, against Avenir Beggen from Luxembourg, we used too many non-Swedish players and were disqualified. So there is really just one team. And that team is – Jablonec. In 1997, we qualified for the main UEFA Cup tournament after beating Jablonec on away goals, no goals in Örebro and 1-1 in Bohemia.
Comment: Jablonec is a small town in what is sometimes called Sudetenland (before the World War II primarily inhabited by Teutonics). Jablonec’s first spell in the elite group of Czech football was back when the teams last met. The last few years, under coach Komňacký, the team is back in the top, finishing 2nd last season and 3rd this one. The team did however not impress in the Europa League qualifier last year: the team was beaten badly by Apoel Nicosia.
This is how we beat them: Jablonec were lethal in the league last year, much thanks to prolific striker Lafata, top scorer in the Czech league and a regular in the national team. Lafata is now a target in this summer’s transfer market, and without him Jablonec will look less threatening.
Chance of Örebro winning: 50%
Last season: 3rd
Qualified through: League Position
Coach: František Komňacký
Star: David Lafata
Links to Örebro: We have a sorry European record, we know. Leaving aside the Intertoto Cup, we have beaten only two teams. At the first occasion, against Avenir Beggen from Luxembourg, we used too many non-Swedish players and were disqualified. So there is really just one team. And that team is – Jablonec. In 1997, we qualified for the main UEFA Cup tournament after beating Jablonec on away goals, no goals in Örebro and 1-1 in Bohemia.
Comment: Jablonec is a small town in what is sometimes called Sudetenland (before the World War II primarily inhabited by Teutonics). Jablonec’s first spell in the elite group of Czech football was back when the teams last met. The last few years, under coach Komňacký, the team is back in the top, finishing 2nd last season and 3rd this one. The team did however not impress in the Europa League qualifier last year: the team was beaten badly by Apoel Nicosia.
This is how we beat them: Jablonec were lethal in the league last year, much thanks to prolific striker Lafata, top scorer in the Czech league and a regular in the national team. Lafata is now a target in this summer’s transfer market, and without him Jablonec will look less threatening.
Chance of Örebro winning: 50%
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
I spy... Westerlo (XVIII)
Things to know about Westerlo
Last season: 8th in the league, won Play Off 2
Qualified through: Play Off 2 winners / cup runners up
Coach: Jan Ceulemans
Star: Jan Ceulemans is still the star, after him maybe Elrio van Heerden or long-serving captain Jef Delen.
Links to Örebro: Almost every player in Sweden is now linked to the Belgian league, but so far not to little Westerlo.
Comment: The big surprise of Belgian football last year, tiny Westerlo (7,000) inhabitants lead by the great Ceulemans qualified for European play in the weird Belgian system: When the league was done after 30 round, Westerlo was 8th and thus not in the championship Play Off (the top 6 teams qualify). But Westerlo did well in the second tier and made it to a second tier play off (Play Off 2) which they won against Cercle Brugge. Then they were meant to play a Europa League play-off game against FC Brugge but since the Belgian Cup spot was open (Westerlo lost the final to Standard) that game was never played. Brugge qualified for the 3rd round, Westerlo to the 2nd.
This is how we beat them: My source describe the team as a team with a “nothing-to-lose” attitude that has taken them a long way. A nice little team but far from a powerhouse in Belgian football. A mid-table team that had a happy ending to the season, not scarier than that. And large reason behind Westerlo’s success is gone: Brazilian loan Paulo Henrique has now signed for Red Star Belgrade. The team has now a new Brazilian Lilu, and Peruvian national team player Chavez, who on the other hand has not proven very effective in front of the goal. But before we dismiss Westerlo as hopeless farmers, let’s remember that the team has a turnover of about 1 million Euro more than Örebro. Still, I would consider us as slight favourites, in particular the defence does not look impressive.
Chance of Örebro winning: 55%
Last season: 8th in the league, won Play Off 2
Qualified through: Play Off 2 winners / cup runners up
Coach: Jan Ceulemans
Star: Jan Ceulemans is still the star, after him maybe Elrio van Heerden or long-serving captain Jef Delen.
Links to Örebro: Almost every player in Sweden is now linked to the Belgian league, but so far not to little Westerlo.
Comment: The big surprise of Belgian football last year, tiny Westerlo (7,000) inhabitants lead by the great Ceulemans qualified for European play in the weird Belgian system: When the league was done after 30 round, Westerlo was 8th and thus not in the championship Play Off (the top 6 teams qualify). But Westerlo did well in the second tier and made it to a second tier play off (Play Off 2) which they won against Cercle Brugge. Then they were meant to play a Europa League play-off game against FC Brugge but since the Belgian Cup spot was open (Westerlo lost the final to Standard) that game was never played. Brugge qualified for the 3rd round, Westerlo to the 2nd.
This is how we beat them: My source describe the team as a team with a “nothing-to-lose” attitude that has taken them a long way. A nice little team but far from a powerhouse in Belgian football. A mid-table team that had a happy ending to the season, not scarier than that. And large reason behind Westerlo’s success is gone: Brazilian loan Paulo Henrique has now signed for Red Star Belgrade. The team has now a new Brazilian Lilu, and Peruvian national team player Chavez, who on the other hand has not proven very effective in front of the goal. But before we dismiss Westerlo as hopeless farmers, let’s remember that the team has a turnover of about 1 million Euro more than Örebro. Still, I would consider us as slight favourites, in particular the defence does not look impressive.
Chance of Örebro winning: 55%
I spy... Maccabi Tel Aviv (XVII)
Things to know about Maccabi Tel Aviv
Last season: 3rd
Qualified through: League position
Coach: Motti Ivanir
Star: Gal Alberman
Links to Örebro: Örebro negotiated with Maccabi Tel Aviv (and more famously with Maccabi Haifa) of a transfer of Roni Porokara last year. No deal was made.
Comment: Maccabi Tel Aviv is the most successful club in the history of Israeli football, and on its way back with largely a new team after a bad spell in the mid-2000s after the 2005 participation in the Champions League (drawn in a group with Bayern, Juventus and Ajax, Maccabi did well to win 4 points)
This is how we beat them: A team with several Israeli national team members such as captain Gal Alberman at midfield, double-footed right defender Yoav Ziv and midfielder Maor Buzaglo. Up front, best goal scorer is Eliran Atar. These players have not been together for long and there is a risk that they will only improve.
Chance of Örebro winning: If the new team from last year stays intact, this looks like a very difficult draw: 35%
Last season: 3rd
Qualified through: League position
Coach: Motti Ivanir
Star: Gal Alberman
Links to Örebro: Örebro negotiated with Maccabi Tel Aviv (and more famously with Maccabi Haifa) of a transfer of Roni Porokara last year. No deal was made.
Comment: Maccabi Tel Aviv is the most successful club in the history of Israeli football, and on its way back with largely a new team after a bad spell in the mid-2000s after the 2005 participation in the Champions League (drawn in a group with Bayern, Juventus and Ajax, Maccabi did well to win 4 points)
This is how we beat them: A team with several Israeli national team members such as captain Gal Alberman at midfield, double-footed right defender Yoav Ziv and midfielder Maor Buzaglo. Up front, best goal scorer is Eliran Atar. These players have not been together for long and there is a risk that they will only improve.
Chance of Örebro winning: If the new team from last year stays intact, this looks like a very difficult draw: 35%
I spy... Midtjylland (XVI)
Things to know about Midtjylland
Last season: 4th
Qualified through: League position
Coach: Glen Riddersholm (who except for a short break was there even before the club was there, in 1995 he started coaching Ikast’s youth team, before the merger created Midtjylland)
Star:
Links to Örebro: Ken Fagerberg and Örebro starlet at the time Kristoffer Näfver played one match together in the Swedish U 21 national team in 2008. Näfver was then a regular (he was replaced by Bajrami, now a starter in the real national team. Poor Näfver plays third tier football in Sweden).
Comment: A result of one of few successful football megers in 199. Midtjylland was the first Danish team to invest in a football academy for young players, French style (copying Nantes). Which is honourable in one way, but on the other morally borderline; the club has received a lot of domestic criticism for exploiting young players and for luring them to the club at a too young an age. Most famous is the example with players from the team’s Nigerian satellite club Ebedei. But the young academy is also full of success stories such as Simon Kjaer, and today’s squad is full of talented 22-year olds such as keeper Jonas Lössl, on the brink of the national team, defender Jesper Juelsgård Kristensen and Swedish striker Ken Fagerberg (whose career has taken a downturn). Behind them, the squad is full of even younger talents such as Albaek. But they also have merited players such as defender Martin Albrechtsen, winger Borring and midfielder Jakob Poulsen.
This is how we beat them: Need to respect. The Danish league is raising on the ranking and although this is much thanks to FC Copenhagen, Midtjylland was one of two teams to beat FCK last season. Midtjylland has also performed decently at European level, constantly beating the more beatable opponents and only losing to bigger teams (Sporting Lisbon, Anderlecht, CSKA Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow and Manchester City). But they have lost most of their goal scoring abilities since last year’s two best scorers have left the team. Frank Kristensen left already in January, after 104 goals for the club, and Thygesen went to Bröndby this summer. The club is now looking at Esbjerg’s Dutch striker Tim Janssen, which could be a good match.
Chance of Örebro winning: 45%
Last season: 4th
Qualified through: League position
Coach: Glen Riddersholm (who except for a short break was there even before the club was there, in 1995 he started coaching Ikast’s youth team, before the merger created Midtjylland)
Star:
Links to Örebro: Ken Fagerberg and Örebro starlet at the time Kristoffer Näfver played one match together in the Swedish U 21 national team in 2008. Näfver was then a regular (he was replaced by Bajrami, now a starter in the real national team. Poor Näfver plays third tier football in Sweden).
Comment: A result of one of few successful football megers in 199. Midtjylland was the first Danish team to invest in a football academy for young players, French style (copying Nantes). Which is honourable in one way, but on the other morally borderline; the club has received a lot of domestic criticism for exploiting young players and for luring them to the club at a too young an age. Most famous is the example with players from the team’s Nigerian satellite club Ebedei. But the young academy is also full of success stories such as Simon Kjaer, and today’s squad is full of talented 22-year olds such as keeper Jonas Lössl, on the brink of the national team, defender Jesper Juelsgård Kristensen and Swedish striker Ken Fagerberg (whose career has taken a downturn). Behind them, the squad is full of even younger talents such as Albaek. But they also have merited players such as defender Martin Albrechtsen, winger Borring and midfielder Jakob Poulsen.
This is how we beat them: Need to respect. The Danish league is raising on the ranking and although this is much thanks to FC Copenhagen, Midtjylland was one of two teams to beat FCK last season. Midtjylland has also performed decently at European level, constantly beating the more beatable opponents and only losing to bigger teams (Sporting Lisbon, Anderlecht, CSKA Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow and Manchester City). But they have lost most of their goal scoring abilities since last year’s two best scorers have left the team. Frank Kristensen left already in January, after 104 goals for the club, and Thygesen went to Bröndby this summer. The club is now looking at Esbjerg’s Dutch striker Tim Janssen, which could be a good match.
Chance of Örebro winning: 45%
I spy... Bnei Yehuda (XV)
Things to know about Bnei Yehuda
Last season: 4th in play-off (5th in League)
Qualified through: Play-off position
Coach: Yossi Abukakis
Star: Dele Aiyenuguba
Links to Örebro: Both have an all-black away team
Comment: An up and coming team in Israel that have gained a bit of experience through playing European qualifiers three times in the last few years, 2006, 2009 and 2010. The only impressive win was in 2009 over Pacos Ferreira, last year the team lost to Irish Shamrock Rovers. Big profile is Nigerian keeper Dele Aiyenuguba, with 39 caps, who replaced even bigger profile, compatriot Vincent Enyeama in 2007.
This is how we beat them: Not much on this team. Seems we have to control Argentine striker Pedro Galvan.
Chance of Örebro winning: This is clearly a bad draw. A long trip to play an unattractive team, yet one of the best ranked that does not give us a seeding in the third round. I would like to avoid – 40%.
Last season: 4th in play-off (5th in League)
Qualified through: Play-off position
Coach: Yossi Abukakis
Star: Dele Aiyenuguba
Links to Örebro: Both have an all-black away team
Comment: An up and coming team in Israel that have gained a bit of experience through playing European qualifiers three times in the last few years, 2006, 2009 and 2010. The only impressive win was in 2009 over Pacos Ferreira, last year the team lost to Irish Shamrock Rovers. Big profile is Nigerian keeper Dele Aiyenuguba, with 39 caps, who replaced even bigger profile, compatriot Vincent Enyeama in 2007.
This is how we beat them: Not much on this team. Seems we have to control Argentine striker Pedro Galvan.
Chance of Örebro winning: This is clearly a bad draw. A long trip to play an unattractive team, yet one of the best ranked that does not give us a seeding in the third round. I would like to avoid – 40%.
Friday, 10 June 2011
I spy... Gaziantepspor (XII)
Things to know about Gaziantepsor
Last season: 4th in the Süper Lig
Qualified through: League position, 2nd round
Coach: Tolunay Kafkas
Star: Ivelin Popov
Links to Örebro: Örebro was supposed to play Antalyaspor (together with Gaziantepspor the southernmost team in the Turkish league) in a friendly that never happened earlier this year. Far-fetched. Both teams have lost in the first round of the UEFA cup to a prospective finalist (Örebro lost to winner Ajax in 1991/1992, Gaziantepspor to finalist Alaves nine year later). Still far-fetched.
Comment: Gaziantep is situated in southeast Turkey, very close to the Syrian border. Not exactly the place to by for the moment. For that reason, Gaziantepspor is something of a nightmare opponent for Örebro. On the other hand, Örebro knows Turkey well after two (!) preseason trips to the country this year.
This is how we beat them: Gaziantepspor has become a top team in a Turkish league that has lost a bit of its status. The team had a fantastic spell during the second half of the season and challenged the Champions League team Bursaspor for third spot. The squad is full of talent: Goalkeeper Žydrūnas Karčemarskas from Lithuania has 54 caps under the belt, Bulgarian striker Ivelin Popov 24. Olcan Adin is another sharp forward, as is young starlet Cenk Tosun, 20 years and called up for Turkey’s last qualifier against Belgium. On that squad was also defender Emre Güngör and midfielder Orhan Gülle was also recently called by his country. Add to that a few Brazilians and Argentineans and you realize that not only the geographic location of the team is tricky. Last season was one of the team’s best (they ended third in 2000 and 2001). Internationally, their latest spell in the UEFA Cup was their most successful, knocking out Hapoel Tel Aviv and Lens before losing to Roma despite winning 1-0 at home. So beating them will not be easy.
Chance of Örebro winning: 35%
Last season: 4th in the Süper Lig
Qualified through: League position, 2nd round
Coach: Tolunay Kafkas
Star: Ivelin Popov
Links to Örebro: Örebro was supposed to play Antalyaspor (together with Gaziantepspor the southernmost team in the Turkish league) in a friendly that never happened earlier this year. Far-fetched. Both teams have lost in the first round of the UEFA cup to a prospective finalist (Örebro lost to winner Ajax in 1991/1992, Gaziantepspor to finalist Alaves nine year later). Still far-fetched.
Comment: Gaziantep is situated in southeast Turkey, very close to the Syrian border. Not exactly the place to by for the moment. For that reason, Gaziantepspor is something of a nightmare opponent for Örebro. On the other hand, Örebro knows Turkey well after two (!) preseason trips to the country this year.
This is how we beat them: Gaziantepspor has become a top team in a Turkish league that has lost a bit of its status. The team had a fantastic spell during the second half of the season and challenged the Champions League team Bursaspor for third spot. The squad is full of talent: Goalkeeper Žydrūnas Karčemarskas from Lithuania has 54 caps under the belt, Bulgarian striker Ivelin Popov 24. Olcan Adin is another sharp forward, as is young starlet Cenk Tosun, 20 years and called up for Turkey’s last qualifier against Belgium. On that squad was also defender Emre Güngör and midfielder Orhan Gülle was also recently called by his country. Add to that a few Brazilians and Argentineans and you realize that not only the geographic location of the team is tricky. Last season was one of the team’s best (they ended third in 2000 and 2001). Internationally, their latest spell in the UEFA Cup was their most successful, knocking out Hapoel Tel Aviv and Lens before losing to Roma despite winning 1-0 at home. So beating them will not be easy.
Chance of Örebro winning: 35%
I spy... Lokomotiv Sofia (XI)
Things to know about Lokomotiv Sofia
Last season: 4th
Qualified through: League position, 2nd round
Coach: Dian Petkov
Star: Marcho Dafchev
Links to Örebro: Serb Dragan Okuka, Örebro midfielder in the 80s, now in China, actually coached Lokomotiv as late as 2008-2010.
Comment: The team in January lost star Tsvetan Genkov, a national team player who was then the 2nd best goal scorer in Bulgaria. Their most recent national team player is keeper Boyan Peykov, who was on Bulgaria’s bench in the qualifier against Switzerland in March. Otherwise the team is still lead by veteran number 10 Marcho Dafchev, 33 years of age and with three spells of a total ten or so years at Lokomotiv. Winger Iskren Pisarov also seemed to have a good last season.
This is how we beat them: Overall, Lokomotiv may be the fourth strongest side in Bulgaria but they are a bit behind the top three, Litx, CSKA and Levski who were clearly ahead in the league (Lokomotiv only got one point against them) and who have stronger squads. Yet, AIK was close to eliminate Levski last year. I think it is looking rather promising – Lokomotiv may be the weakest team that would still secure a third round seeding if we beat them.
Chance of Örebro winning: 55%
Last season: 4th
Qualified through: League position, 2nd round
Coach: Dian Petkov
Star: Marcho Dafchev
Links to Örebro: Serb Dragan Okuka, Örebro midfielder in the 80s, now in China, actually coached Lokomotiv as late as 2008-2010.
Comment: The team in January lost star Tsvetan Genkov, a national team player who was then the 2nd best goal scorer in Bulgaria. Their most recent national team player is keeper Boyan Peykov, who was on Bulgaria’s bench in the qualifier against Switzerland in March. Otherwise the team is still lead by veteran number 10 Marcho Dafchev, 33 years of age and with three spells of a total ten or so years at Lokomotiv. Winger Iskren Pisarov also seemed to have a good last season.
This is how we beat them: Overall, Lokomotiv may be the fourth strongest side in Bulgaria but they are a bit behind the top three, Litx, CSKA and Levski who were clearly ahead in the league (Lokomotiv only got one point against them) and who have stronger squads. Yet, AIK was close to eliminate Levski last year. I think it is looking rather promising – Lokomotiv may be the weakest team that would still secure a third round seeding if we beat them.
Chance of Örebro winning: 55%
I spy... ADO Den Haag (X)
[N.B. I have not missed a number, but I jump IF Elfsborg as they are Swedish and hence cannot be drawn against Örebro]
Things to know about ADO Den Haag
Last season: 7th in the Eredivisie
Qualified through: won the Dutch Europa League Play-Off, having nearly lost its 5-1 lead from the first leg (losing the second leg against Groningen 5-1 but eventually winning on penalties)
Coach: John van den Brom
Star: Bulykin
Links to Örebro: the club is closely linked to FC Brügge. So are ÖSK players Mikael Almebäck (just signed) and Alejandro Bedoya (may sign soon)
Comment: This is a funny club. Even the name is funny, ADO means Alles Door Oefening, Everything Through Training. And the “Haags Kwartiertje” are both famous and notorious fans – the wildest fans in Dutch football. The team did not have to do that much in league football to qualify for the Europa League. They ended 7th and then went on to win the rather odd Dutch “Europa League Play-off”, where teams 5-8 in the Dutch league play for the last European spot (which they won in a spectacular way, see above). The team has a decent track record with league titles in the 40s and several European appearances in the past, but the 7th spot this season was their best result since 1979. The big star of the team is Russian Bulykin, who according to my sources defies nature. Almost obese looking, yet fast and lethal. The big fan favourite is Lex Immers, who has ADO tattooed over his back from his previous days as an ADO hooligan. He still is one, actually
This is how we beat them: In a traditional Dutch manner, ADO seems to play full steam ahead (goal difference last year was 63-55 in 34 games, which is not unusual). They seem to play mostly 4-3-3, and Bulykin seems to be the kind of striker that we need Almebäck to defend against. And he will be gone by then. That could be a problem. But overall seems like an entertaining opponent, not far away from me, and if we win we will be seeded in the third round. ADO more and more appears to be my favourite team in the draw.
Chance of Örebro winning: 40%
Things to know about ADO Den Haag
Last season: 7th in the Eredivisie
Qualified through: won the Dutch Europa League Play-Off, having nearly lost its 5-1 lead from the first leg (losing the second leg against Groningen 5-1 but eventually winning on penalties)
Coach: John van den Brom
Star: Bulykin
Links to Örebro: the club is closely linked to FC Brügge. So are ÖSK players Mikael Almebäck (just signed) and Alejandro Bedoya (may sign soon)
Comment: This is a funny club. Even the name is funny, ADO means Alles Door Oefening, Everything Through Training. And the “Haags Kwartiertje” are both famous and notorious fans – the wildest fans in Dutch football. The team did not have to do that much in league football to qualify for the Europa League. They ended 7th and then went on to win the rather odd Dutch “Europa League Play-off”, where teams 5-8 in the Dutch league play for the last European spot (which they won in a spectacular way, see above). The team has a decent track record with league titles in the 40s and several European appearances in the past, but the 7th spot this season was their best result since 1979. The big star of the team is Russian Bulykin, who according to my sources defies nature. Almost obese looking, yet fast and lethal. The big fan favourite is Lex Immers, who has ADO tattooed over his back from his previous days as an ADO hooligan. He still is one, actually
This is how we beat them: In a traditional Dutch manner, ADO seems to play full steam ahead (goal difference last year was 63-55 in 34 games, which is not unusual). They seem to play mostly 4-3-3, and Bulykin seems to be the kind of striker that we need Almebäck to defend against. And he will be gone by then. That could be a problem. But overall seems like an entertaining opponent, not far away from me, and if we win we will be seeded in the third round. ADO more and more appears to be my favourite team in the draw.
Chance of Örebro winning: 40%
I spy... Sheriff Tiraspol (VIII)
Things to know about Sheriff
Last season: 2nd
Qualified through: League position, 2nd round
Coach: Oleg Turcanu
Star: Vladislav Stoyanov
Links to Örebro: Former Sheriff player Razak Omotoyossi played against Örebro as late as 22 May this year (Örebro won 3-1)
Comment: There’s a long and good story here, recently covered by Sweden’s best football journalist Erik Niva. Sheriff Tiraspol is the pride of the largely Russian speaking, independence seeking Transnistrian region of Moldova. I don’t intend to give you the full story here but the team is named Sheriff after its insanely rich owner, former KGB officer Viktor Gushan – nick-named “the Sheriff”. Soon after the club was founded in 1997 it became the most dominating team in European league football, winning the league every year (and often by a ridiculous margin) from 2001 to 2010. Then, this year, something happened. Dacia Chisinau broke the spell. How? I’m not sure but I can imagine the loss of Moldovan star Suvarov was costly. The sheriff is expected to invest more after this embarrassment, so we risk facing a hungry, revitalized tiger here. The team is very much a foreign legion, with no less than five African players, another seven players from countries near by and only six Moldovan nationals.
This is how we beat them: This is a strong football team from a weak footballing country. Sheriff has qualified for the Europa League group stage for two years in a row (losing out to Olympiakos and Basel in the Champions League play-offs) and last year, both times ending up with five points but beating sides like Twente (2009) and Dynamo Kyiv (2010) at home. They have kicked out teams like Dinamo Zagreb and Slavia Prague and has not been directly kicked out one single time in their 10-year long spell of Champions League qualifiers. It will be tough
Chance of Örebro winning: Depends on what Sheriff does on the transfer market, but with the current squad we have a decent 40% chance.
Last season: 2nd
Qualified through: League position, 2nd round
Coach: Oleg Turcanu
Star: Vladislav Stoyanov
Links to Örebro: Former Sheriff player Razak Omotoyossi played against Örebro as late as 22 May this year (Örebro won 3-1)
Comment: There’s a long and good story here, recently covered by Sweden’s best football journalist Erik Niva. Sheriff Tiraspol is the pride of the largely Russian speaking, independence seeking Transnistrian region of Moldova. I don’t intend to give you the full story here but the team is named Sheriff after its insanely rich owner, former KGB officer Viktor Gushan – nick-named “the Sheriff”. Soon after the club was founded in 1997 it became the most dominating team in European league football, winning the league every year (and often by a ridiculous margin) from 2001 to 2010. Then, this year, something happened. Dacia Chisinau broke the spell. How? I’m not sure but I can imagine the loss of Moldovan star Suvarov was costly. The sheriff is expected to invest more after this embarrassment, so we risk facing a hungry, revitalized tiger here. The team is very much a foreign legion, with no less than five African players, another seven players from countries near by and only six Moldovan nationals.
This is how we beat them: This is a strong football team from a weak footballing country. Sheriff has qualified for the Europa League group stage for two years in a row (losing out to Olympiakos and Basel in the Champions League play-offs) and last year, both times ending up with five points but beating sides like Twente (2009) and Dynamo Kyiv (2010) at home. They have kicked out teams like Dinamo Zagreb and Slavia Prague and has not been directly kicked out one single time in their 10-year long spell of Champions League qualifiers. It will be tough
Chance of Örebro winning: Depends on what Sheriff does on the transfer market, but with the current squad we have a decent 40% chance.
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