I just stumbled across this article http://www.cottagersconfidential.co...two-rounds-of-europa-league-qualifying-fulham and thought others might like to see it. The writer has taken a look at our potential rivals in the Europa qualifying rounds. The gist of it? We're not likely to be drawn against any serious opposition just yet and our biggest danger is distance. I particularly enjoyed the bit where we are described as being the big fish in a small pond. Who would have thought that in the dark days of the late 80s and early 90s?
V. interesting Captain, thanks. I was especially drawn to the last para. "..interesting to see how Jol approaches early matches. ...only questions are ... squad selection." As said on the other thread Fulham need to list a squad of 25 in advance and at least 8 must be 'local'. I'll pass judgement on the competition till we know more about the squad.
As far as the squads go, Cottager58, I think there's a difference between the group stages and the qualifying. If it's the same as the Champions League and - I think - our last Europa run, things are a bit more free and easy in the qualifying. Lots of the big champ league clubs sign players at the very end of the August transfer window and still have them eligible for the group stages. The same applies in our case, I think.
Interesting article. As I've said in another thread, it'd be interesting to know how our potential opponents are viewing the thought of an encounter with the Mighty Fulham. Trembling in their shin pads I expect.
Thanks Captain. A big relief to know this and about the Asian cup as well. I'll just go back to worrying about fullbacks.
Just having a look to see if ITV are playing our qualifying games - does anyone know as I cant see anything?
I don't think anything will be announced until the draw gets made. ITV (and others) won't expect a big audience, so may be reluctant to send technical crew, commentators etc if we get sent to the farthest corners of the old Soviet Union states. My best guess (and that's all it is at this stage) is that the further we get through the qualifyers, the more chance we have of featuring on telly. Any live coverage we get in the first couple of rounds will be a bonus, I'm afraid.
Thanks for the info captain, so who fancies a potential trip to Kazakhstan then? Honestly it beggars belief that a country like this which is so obviously not in europe gets to play in european competition. Can't imagine we'd have more than 100 or so fans to a match like this.
If I have the money I will try and go to a couple of european away games, particularly if we reach the latter stages again as I only managed to get to the home ones last time. However I can't see myself going beyond western/central Europe. Travelling to the middle east for a football seems crazy, although saying that I would admire any fans that are committed enough to make a trip like this.
According to the club website there are 105 teams in the draw for the 1st qualifying round. Must mean someone will get a bye through to the 2nd round. As much as I'd like to be watching football at the Cottage in 12 days time, that would be good to get. http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2011/June/EuropaQualificationDraw.aspx
I don't think there are random byes to be had, Fulhamish. The draw on Monday is for the first two rounds, and the figure of 105 teams is the total of teams who are involved in either or both rounds - some join in a round later than us (with more coming in at the third and even fourth qualifying stage). The teams joining in at different stages is why there's an odd number.
