Austria Wien have played three league games this season, won one, drew one, lost one. Scored six conceded eight. Stuffed 5-1 by Salzburg two weeks ago. They have only had to play one round of Champions League qualifiers so far, which they won 1-0 on aggregate against the Icelandic champions-cum-day-job-professionals. Send them over, please, Uefa.
Ludogorets Razgrad, from Bulgaria, knocked Dinamo Zagreb out of the Champions League qualifiers last season before going down to Slovan Bratislava in the play-off round. They’ve won two, lost one, of their three league games this season. Beat Partizan Belgrade home and away in last round, beat Slovan Bratislava on aggregate in round before that. They also have to play their home game for the next round at an alternate venue to due to a date clash with a concert. Happy to take this lot.
Legia Warsaw, won all three league games this season, scoring 12, conceding one. Eliminated Molde, after drawing both games, in last round, took care of The New Saints (Wales) home and away in earlier round. Would be a great European tie though not sure if Zbyszek can arrange the result for us.
Maribor, from Slovenia, have won all three league games this season, scored 11, conceded two. Eliminated APOEL Nicosia after two draws in last round. APOEL got to the last eight of the Champions League in 2012, so this team are no pushover. Maribor also have the distinction of being the last team to knock Rangers out of Europe. Ever!
Shakhtyor Karaganda, 12 points off the pace after 22 games in Kazakhstan. Beat Albanians, Korce, in last round and Bate Borisov (who recorded Champions League wins against Bayern Munich and Lille in 2012) in the earlier round. The travel would be an issue; Karaganda is farther east that eastern Afghanistan. If I can paraphrase an Ibrox legend, define Europe. The fact they are midseason and, like Celtic, they’ve won through two rounds already, makes this a less attractive tie, but they are surely not a Champions League team.
Preferences: Shakhtyor Karaganda are the easiest possible opponents but a trip to Austria or Bulgaria would be best.
Would rather avoid: Legia will be the most difficult draw. Maribor will be a similar challenge as Elfsborg.
Lots more to blog about: last night’s performance, Kelvin, Honest Dave King… maybe later.
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So,to sum up……….
………………..Whoopeee
Karagandy of Kazakhstan….bloody hell that’s me officially worried. With the flight time, lack of proper investment in the squad and a possible plastic pitch…god knows there might even be a wind blowing against us (sorry that’s TFPL’s excuse) we are doomed. I off work today so pitch fork sharpened and tourch in hand l’m off to the car park see you there bhoys.
Scottishleaf / Tom McLaughlin.
Doh !- ah read it in wan of the papers…
StandcorrectedCSC.
John@11.15
They I believe in fact beat Bate home and away. However as you say is that the same Bate of previous years as their good players may have been sold on.
current squad:
GK – Artur Boruc Poland??
Is that right?
HH
In the last round they put out the Albanian champions 5-3 agg , won home game 3-0 then were 3-0 down in away leg in first 30 mins before scoring twice , for 3-2 defeat. winning goal came when Albanians were down to 10 men.
Previous round 2-0 against BATE both games 1-0 BATE first leg: dominated possession, they were unable to break down Viktor Kumykov’s tactically adept troops who afforded them no space throughout a tight encounter in Borisov. 2nd leg BATe missed penalty and lost late goal chasing gaol which would take tie to ET.
We can beat these guys assuming we cant play like we did on Wednesday again.
blantyretim
09:40 on
9 August, 2013
BGFC
Thought you may have taken advantage of the free digs in Dublin this weekend.
See Mo is away.
————————–
Hiya – sorry for not replying – been out at Bamburgh Castle with the wife and weans all day – beautiful down there.
After my last visit to the in-laws in Ireland, free digs are no longer on the menu, I’m afraid :-(
Mo is away with her mum and her man – hope they have a good day tomorrow.
HH
BGFC