2024/25 Champions League: 1st and 2nd qualifying rounds

[Firnen]

I just saw that Panevezys is tied at the bottom of the Lithuanian league!

[Greyn]

Panevezys clearly had their day, but at the same time HJK were really poor throughout the match. They had some chances, but still ended up without a single goal.

People from Jagiellonia probably were focused to see how good HJK are, instead they should slowly start preparing for a tie vs Lithuanian champions. I don't take away chances from HJK to turn it around, but as for now, FK Panevezys are clear favourites to advance.

[Firnen]

Lincoln also gets a red card.

3 red cards in 3 halfs so far.

[mspm89]

Pnavezys gets an incredible result but the Nicaraguan striker couldn't take part because of injury. Too bad.

[matt]

3 red cards in 3 halfs so far.

And Borac - Egnatia didn't start yet

[seso]

Pnavezys gets an incredible result but the Nicaraguan striker couldn't take part because of injury. Too bad.

I read that he played for Real Estelí until he was 20 and since then he has been playing for various Eastern European clubs.

[Firnen]

New Saints already leading in the battle to avoid bottom 5 against Decic.

[mspm89]

Pnavezys gets an incredible result but the Nicaraguan striker couldn't take part because of injury. Too bad.

I read that he played for Real Estelí until he was 20 and since then he has been playing for various Eastern European clubs.

Yeah, it's hard to determine where the Lithuanian league's level is compared to i.e. the top Central American leagues (Honduras, CR, Panama, Guatemala), or the bottom South American ones (Venezuela, Peru, etc.), which is kind of a ceiling for Nicaraguan players. But whatever the case, I think it's great to be a journyman in low European leagues. It sets a good precedent, not the least because adaptation to another continent/climate can be such an issue for LatAm players from non-traditional countries.

[Firnen]

Pnavezys gets an incredible result but the Nicaraguan striker couldn't take part because of injury. Too bad.

I read that he played for Real Estelí until he was 20 and since then he has been playing for various Eastern European clubs.

Yeah, it's hard to determine where the Lithuanian league's level is compared to i.e. the top Central American leagues (Honduras, CR, Panama, Guatemala), or the bottom South American ones (Venezuela, Peru, etc.), which is kind of a ceiling for Nicaraguan players. But whatever the case, I think it's great to be a journyman in low European leagues. It sets a good precedent, not the least because adaptation to another continent/climate can be such an issue for LatAm players from non-traditional countries.

How come they aren't trying to go to Spain's 2nd and 3rd division? Way easier to adapt.

[Firnen]

UE Santa Coloma have played 16 European matches.

They have lost all 16 of them!

They're leading Ballkani 1-0 now!

[Witkop1983]

Does anyone have a list of countries that never had a team playing in groupstage?

[matt]

The New Saints 3-0 up over Decic after the first half.

Meeting a club from Montenegro is almost a free pass to the next round, like when you meet a club from San Marino.

Lincoln won away from home in Malta. If not a first time, it is a rare away win for a Gibraltar side. Tbh i was rooting for Hamrun and a first Maltese side in the group (league) stage.


@Witkop1983 Going by memory:

Malta
Montenegro
Northern Ireland
Andorra
San Marino
Wales

[mspm89]

How come they aren't trying to go to Spain's 2nd and 3rd division? Way easier to adapt.

A few have. I think the issue there must be that wages in Spanish lower divisions (Segunda's level is way too high I think) are comparable or even lower than blue collar jobs that they could be doing in the country, so they'd rather try that.

[Sagy]

Does anyone have a list of countries that never had a team playing in groupstage?

Countries in blue (21 if I counted correctly) have not participated in Champions League group stage.

Edited to add “Champions League” to remove any doubt.

[mspm89]

Does anyone have a list of countries that never had a team playing in groupstage?

Countries in blue (21 if I counted correctly) have not participated in group stage

That map includes Gibraltar and they have had a team in GS (Lincoln Red Imps).

Facts aren't on your side, or how was it?