Europa League 2015/16

**El Car** · 09-07-2015, 23:44

Scotland's underwhelming record in Europe continues as St. Johnstone go out on away goals to illustrious opposition in the form of Alashkert from Armenia, while Aberdeen did at least scrape through to round 2 beating Macedonia's Shkendija in a tie also settled by away goals. As seems to be customary for teams from the eastern reaches of Europe, Skendija fielded a couple of Brazilians, though I doubt anyone here has ever heard of them.

Other teams from the British Isles in action tonight:

Cork (Ire) currently losing in extra time to KR Reykjavik
University College Dublin (Ire) through on away goals against Dudelange
Glenavon (N.I) out to Shakhtyor
Glentoran (N.I) out to Zilina
Broughton (Wal) out to Lokomotiva Zagreb
West Ham (Eng) through against Lusitans
Linfield (N.I) through against NSI Runavik
Bala (Wal) out to Differdange
Newton (Wal) through against Valletta
St. Patrick's (Ire) out to Skonto

Well done to those who made it a step further.

**St Charles Owl** · 10-07-2015, 19:24

If Scotland ever wants to get the coefficient back to where it once was and maybe get another CL spot, then performances like the one from St Johnstone will have to improve!!! These games are too early with pre-season training only just having started but its the same for both teams most of the time. At least Aberdeen scraped through and hopefully can get match fitness levels up before the next games.

**El Car** · 11-07-2015, 00:52

I think we struggle from poor preparation too. When the early draws are made most sides don't have league games underway, and I'm sure it's hard to find much footage of the likes of Armenian teams in their previous season. Probably a lot easier for these sides to get Sky footage or similar of the likes of Aberdeen.

But all things being equal the question remains: why do our sides lose these ties more often than not?

**Lord Snooty** · 11-07-2015, 01:19

Things will improve when Super Caley come in in the next round.

**El Car** · 11-07-2015, 12:31

I think Caley's home games could be their biggest advantage. A lot of teams have gone up there and struggled over the years.

**El Car** · 17-07-2015, 00:26

Another night of mixed results for the Scottish sides, with Caley Thistle going down 1-0 at home and most likely out of Europe already, but Aberdeen securing a great 3-0 win away at Croatian side HNK Rijeka. That tie is entirely Aberdeen's to lose now.

Not much joy for the other sides from these parts and thereabouts, with Linfield losing 2-1 at Spartak Trnava (who played the 2nd half with 10 men), Newtown going down 2-0 at Copenhagen, University College Dublin suffering a 1-0 defeat away to Slovan Bratislava (who had to play most of the match with 10 men). Shamrock Rovers were also defeated, losing 2-0 at home to Odd.

West Ham managed to sneak a last minute winner in a 1-0 home victory against Birkirkara at least.

**Lord Snooty** · 17-07-2015, 00:35

A massive crowd at the Caledonian Stadium tonight. Must've been a record.

0762 · (This post was last modified: 17-07-2015, 01:15 by 0762.)

(17-07-2015, 00:26)El Car Wrote: Another night of mixed results for the Scottish sides, with Caley Thistle going down 1-0 at home and most likely out of Europe already, but Aberdeen securing a great 3-0 win away at Croatian side HNK Rijeka. That tie is entirely Aberdeen's to lose now.

Not much joy for the other sides from these parts and thereabouts, with Linfield losing 2-1 at Spartak Trnava (who played the 2nd half with 10 men), Newtown going down 2-0 at Copenhagen, University College Dublin suffering a 1-0 defeat away to Slovan Bratislava (who had to play most of the match with 10 men). Shamrock Rovers were also defeated, losing 2-0 at home to Odd.

West Ham managed to sneak a last minute winner in a 1-0 home victory against Birkirkara at least.

It's likely that another Scottish football club is already out of Euro participation against superior opposition and what a strange match that Dons' tie was v Rijeka! A Croatian player named Tomasov should've put his side deservedly 2-0 ahead within the 1st 20 mins after ripping Aberdeen's defence apart - 2 open goals missed by this guy, the 1st shot from 2 yards hitting the post! Then 0-1 against the run of play and Pawlett's crucial second headed goal for 0-2 was clearly about 2 feet offside. The 3rd goal was a bonus! McInnes will be hoping his team don't face a more clinical finishing Euro side in the 3rd round qualifier because that kinda team will wipe them out. That was a good result but don't be fooled - Aberdeen's inadequacies at this level are very evident!

**El Car** · (This post was last modified: 25-07-2015, 16:47 by El Car.)

Didn't get a chance to update on this at the time, but the 2nd legs were played midweek with no great surprises in the final reckoning.

Aberdeen completed their journey to Q3 with a 2-2 home draw against the Croats, although they had a scare when they fell 2-0 down. However, Caley Thistle were (unsurprisingly) eliminated after being held to a goalless draw in Romania.

University College Dublin were hammered 5-1 at home, Shamrock Rovers lost 2-1 away, Newtown lost at home to Copenhagen, and Linfield also lost their tie at home. All 4 sides were eliminated.

West Ham were the only other side to go through, scraping it on penalties despite losing the 2nd leg 1-0.

The next round sees Southampton join Aberdeen and West Ham, with first leg ties as follows:

Kairat Almaty v. Aberdeen
West Ham v. Astra Giurgiu
Southampton v. Vitesse

I'd expect the English sides to go through. Astra are very poor to be honest, and while Vitesse are better I think Southampton have the potential to go quite far in the competition if they want to. Aberdeen will see their tie as tricky but winnable.

0762 · 06-08-2015, 23:03

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33738502

Aberdeen finally found out tonight and on 6 August we're already down to zilch Scottish football clubs remaining in the Europa League - that underwhelming record continues!