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Div 2 v Europa League

Aardvark

By Aardvark,
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Aardvark

Aardvark

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Interestingly a quick run through last night's Europa League matches shows that of 24 games played only 2 had bigger crowds than at St Mary's against West Ham (and indeed at Derby on Saturday). Neither of the home games involving Premiership clubs got anywhere near the figure - only the games at Hanover and Udinese beat the figure.

 

:?What does this say about the relative merits of "second class" domestic football as against "second class" European football? I know which I'd rather watch.:)

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Sour Mash

Sour Mash

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Interestingly a quick run through last night's Europa League matches shows that of 24 games played only 2 had bigger crowds than at St Mary's against West Ham (and indeed at Derby on Saturday). Neither of the home games involving Premiership clubs got anywhere near the figure - only the games at Hanover and Udinese beat the figure.

 

:?What does this say about the relative merits of "second class" domestic football as against "second class" European football? I know which I'd rather watch.:)

Not really. I would literally give my right arm to ahve a decent, long run in Europe with some top away trips. We got a great crowd in against West Ham, but lets not get too carried away.
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Aardvark

Aardvark

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Not really. I would literally give my right arm to ahve a decent, long run in Europe with some top away trips. We got a great crowd in against West Ham, but lets not get too carried away.

 

I can see how you got your moniker. Nobody's getting "carried away". I wasn't talking specifically about how well Southampton are doing, I was merely contrasting the level of interest in the two competitions. For me personally, I would "give my right arm" for a run in the Champions League - truly the pinnacle of world football in terms of sheer quality, but I can't get remotely interested in the second rate Europa League (FFS Birmingham are top of their group!) - it is for me the League Cup of Europe - a dull, worthless, time consuming pup of a contest. Without looking it up, could you tell me who won it last year? I'm guessing not, but I bet you could name the top three in last year's Championship?

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Sour Mash

Sour Mash

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I can see how you got your moniker. Nobody's getting "carried away". I wasn't talking specifically about how well Southampton are doing, I was merely contrasting the level of interest in the two competitions. For me personally, I would "give my right arm" for a run in the Champions League - truly the pinnacle of world football in terms of sheer quality, but I can't get remotely interested in the second rate Europa League (FFS Birmingham are top of their group!) - it is for me the League Cup of Europe - a dull, worthless, time consuming pup of a contest. Without looking it up, could you tell me who won it last year? I'm guessing not, but I bet you could name the top three in last year's Championship?
Well as I was at last season's Europa League Final I could probably tell you who won it. Far more interesting competition than the Champs League, full of great trips, but by your comments I take it you've never travelled around Europe watching football.
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saintchris23

saintchris23

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Going to Hamburg to watch Fulham (and all of their home games along the way - including a stunning night at Craven Cottage under floodlight) was an amazing experience and possibly even more enjoyable than Cardiff in 2003. The way both sets of supporters mixed in peace with songs and smiles really made the experience.

 

Would I want Saints to get there too? Erm.....hell yeah!

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The9

The9

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Birmingham took 5.5k fans to Brugge. That is ****ing impressive.

 

It's comfortable driving distance, I drove there and back for Euro 2000 to watch France v Czechs, you can easily do it in a day.

 

I have to say, I rarely watch any CL matches and will only watch Europa League ties if I'm REALLY bored on a Thursday night, and even then not with any attentiveness or interest. The next time I'll care about European football is the next time Saints qualify for it - and even then I can't see me putting in the dedication to go to Braga / Guimaraes / Gdansk / Plovdiv / etc when I have a job to go to and a mortgage to pay.

 

The League format just sucks all the fun out of it for me, and the costs are too high for a bunch of nothing matches. And honestly, who gives a crap about playing against Slovakia or Finland's or Estonia's best or Portugal's second best ?

 

And this is coming from someone who's been to USA 94, England 96, France 98, Belgium 2000, Portugal 2004, saw a European Cup Winners Cup Quarter Final as an 8 year old, and went to Bucharest to see Saints. European football is just not interesting enough if it's not a knockout match.

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The9

The9

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I was thinking last night that a closed prem would stop the likes if us, Leeds, Forest, West Ham etc getting to plsy in Europe whilst Shamrock Rovers and the like get to. Rediculous.

 

At least one of those teams will have won their nation's competition to get there.

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