Europa League draw thread

Just a thread to build up to the draw on Thursday!

Some people are hoping for a big tie with a good team, I personally just hope for the poorest team we can possibly draw against so we can have a good chance of qualifying for the next stage.

We all want big nights and huge events, but if we think about it, we really should be looking to do well in this competition, as it is looking like the top 10 is the most realistic sort of finish we can hope for this season.

 

Anyone got a list of possible teams we can be drawn against?

 

They're all tough in one respect or another, the only difference is the travel. I just hope the Toon army and the team doesn't have too far to go!

 

In Bigi I trust

 

There's not many bad sides left in I'm afraid........

 

I'm assuming the champs league losers will drop into the other side of the draw? Wouldn't really fancy one of those... Though Chelsea would be convenient and Ajax would make for a nice little break!

 

Would've made it easier for ourselves if we'd been seeded - noone else to blame!

 

Could quite fancy Ajax.

 

FC Viktoria Plzeň (Czech Republic)
Fenerbahçe SK (Turkey)
FC Steaua Bucureşti (Romania)
FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (Ukraine)
KRC Genk (Belgium)
FC Rubin Kazan (Russia)
Olympique Lyonnais (France)
S.S. Lazio (Italy)
FC Metalist Kharkiv (Ukraine)
Hannover 96 (Germany)
CFR 1907 Cluj (Romania)
Olympiacos FC (Greece)
SL Benfica (Portugal)

That's the opponent list, draw in about half an hour's time. No easy draws - maybe Genk the best due to location/quality?

 

Nedders, I think you may have miss-read today's date. The draws happens tomorrow

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/video/videoid=1908037.html?autoplay=true#latest

 

Plzen, Steaua, Cluj, Hannover are the easiest draws IMO.
Fun fact: Did you know that the Hannover Electors ruled over the Brittish Empire from 1714 till 1814?
This king of yours in 1714 didn't speak a word English: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_I_of_Great_Britain

 

I've been duped - my head told me it was Thursday. Too much excitement, what with the QPR thrashing up soon and Santy Clause on his way.

 

I watch "horrible histories", so I knew that one

I don't really have any fun facts, even though I have a degree in such shiz...

Did you know that Romans thought the phallic shape was a protection symbol? They put it in places where the evil spirits could dwell, so you find them over door spaces etc. Some even carried around knob stick and necklaces to keep bad luck away... I do a similar thing, only it involves not zipping up my flies in public... As yet it's only brought about a prison sentence and DT, so I'm not sure how lucky it is...


Just joking DT

I actually fruitlessly based my dissertation on the idea that the phallic shape made people laugh, which they possibly thought was the reason it drove away bad spirits and luck. Not just because I'm a guy and found it humourous to look at willies all day (I did say "NOT JUST" ), but as other humourous things were found in such places. The famous dog mosaic in pompeii for example, inspired laughter in famous texts. Unfortunately the academics didn't find willies as funny as me... Or the innuendo-riddled chapter headers

 

I would have put Genk as easiest. Very easy location, as weak an opponent as you could probably find at this stage?

 

Are the Belgians not the hottest property in the world right now with all their various delights? Or are all the best ones in England now?

 

Not that I'm a Euro-sage, but I recognise the name Jelle Vossen and that's about it. Name a Belgian XI and they're all playing abroad.

 

Genk or Hannover still my preferences as per the earlier thread. Location location location! I watched Genk a couple of times, they are no great shakes

 

Gillet, Anderlecht
Vossen, Genk
De Ceulaer, Genk
Blondel, Club Brugge
Pocognoli, Standard Liége
Mboyo, Gent

 

5 Goals will be able to fill us in with info about Genk.

 

Think the draw is at 1:30 pm on Sky Sports News. Personally hoping for Ajax, Gent or maybe Hannover.