The Europa Conference League’s quarter-finals did not disappoint, with three of the four ties going to extra time and two decided on penalties. Only four sides remain, all of whom now have the trophy in Athens in their sights. Semi-Final 1: Aston Villa FC – Olympiakos SFP Olympiakos, based in Piraeus, are located just 10… Continue reading Conference League 2023/24: Semi-Finals Preview
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Conference League 2023/24: Quarter-Finals
We’re in the latter stages now. “The run-in”. The stakes climb ever higher, the margins for failure shrink ever smaller. From the Spains to the Japans, all discerning eyes are locked on the four delicately-poised ties that constitute the 2023/24 Europa Conference League quarter-finals. FC Viktoria Plzeň – ACF Fiorentina Viktoria Plzeň have played eight… Continue reading Conference League 2023/24: Quarter-Finals
Conference League 2023/24: First Knockout Round Preview
The judge smiled. Men are born for games. Nothing else. Can you feel it? Spring is in the air. The lengthening days sing of its return. And spring means European knockout football. In the Conference League, Europe’s premier continental competition, that means the eight Group Stage runners-up facing off against the Europa League’s eight third-placed… Continue reading Conference League 2023/24: First Knockout Round Preview
Conference League GW6: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
“All sparks will burn out in the end”, as Editors once sang, and so we find ourselves at the end of the Conference League’s third-ever group stage which, with the introduction of a “Swiss system” next season, is also set to be its last-ever. And what a group stage it’s been! Every group bar one… Continue reading Conference League GW6: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
Conference League GW4: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
Ἀνερρίφθω κύβος, said Caesar – but as we, dear reader, enter Gameweek 4 of Europe’s premier continental club competition, we must ask: who are the Conference’s Pompeys? Its Octavians? Will I return to this analogy later in the piece? (No.) The knockouts beckon to some, elimination to others. Let us wade into the quiet of… Continue reading Conference League GW4: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
Conference League GW3: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
After two gameweeks the plot across the Europa Conference League has thickened agreeably, in the manner of a stew or bisque with cornflour stirred into it. With four rounds of matches left, everything remains to play for. Chodźmy! Pick of the Games:AZ – Aston Villa (17:45 BST)Ballkani – Astana (17:45 BST)Fenerbahçe – Ludogorets (17:45 BST)Lugano… Continue reading Conference League GW3: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
Conference League GW2: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
The Europa Conference League circus is back in town once more, with all manner of surprise and upset from Gameweek 1 trailing in its wake. With some teams licking their wounds, and others seeing new vistas of possibility open up before them, it’s time to look ahead to the games to come. Pick of the… Continue reading Conference League GW2: Sixteen Games, Sixteen Previews
UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24: Preview
It’s back, it’s beautiful, and it has retained the services of Unai Emery. It’s the Europa Conference League, now into its third season – which is also its last before it moves to a “Swiss system” as utterly inscrutable as a Zürich deposit box. With Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Bosnia and Herzegovina making their… Continue reading UEFA Europa Conference League 2023/24: Preview
Europa Conference League 22/23: Gameweek 2 Preview
Fans of draws will have been thrilled by Gameweek 1 of the 2022-23 Europa Conference League – ten of the gameweek’s sixteen fixtures ended in stalemate. Only one group (A) featured two wins, groups D and G were completely drawn and group F had the dubious honour of seeing no goals at all across either… Continue reading Europa Conference League 22/23: Gameweek 2 Preview
Serie A: A Stroitel Pripyat Perspective After Half A Season Gone (Part Two)
In the first part of this series of four posts, I covered the bottom five teams in the Serie A table, giving a Stroitel Pripyat view on what I thought they would accomplish before the season began, what they have actually done, and what the future may hold for them. It can be read here.… Continue reading Serie A: A Stroitel Pripyat Perspective After Half A Season Gone (Part Two)