pash

Looks a lot like Konstantelias' goal vs Shamrock haha

Sport24 is predicting this lineup, which sounds right to me (though the ozdoev/schwab one could obviously go either way): --Kotarski-- --Sastre--Kedziora--Michailidis--Rahman-- --Camara--Ozdoev/Schwab-- --Despodov--Murg--Tissoudali-- --Chalov-- Lucescu must be ripshit at the thought of having three new dudes in the same lineup. I wonder if we'll see Soretire as a sub? -edit- here's the lineup! Poor Tissoudali

Thomas out for a week, so he'll probably miss the second leg vs Shamrock Rovers (though I would not have expected him to play anyway). He'll obviously also miss tomorrow's match vs Panaitolikos.

If we want to make it to that "next level" then stop gaps aren't good enough! Anyway, we have some other stuff going down: The Ekong transfer was announced a few days ago (whoohoo!) Saudi interest in Samatta seems to have dried up, he'll probably go for free to Cyprus Gigot, if we get him, will be in the next week (as according to inPAOK, Marseille has given their out-of-contention players an ultimatum; take that as you will because I don't see how a player can be forced when he's under contract) Another option at CB may be Mateusz Wieteska (https://www.transfermarkt.us/mateusz-wieteska/profil/spieler/208172), who plays for Cagliari. Would be his third club in three years.

If he actually pushes Baba we might have a steal on our hands

Looks like the Tsiggaras move to Atromitos is about to happen, with us retaining a resale rate (I'm assuming we will get actual compensation too). I've got mixed feelings on this. Sucks when a home grown talent can't take that next step (he certainly looked at times like he could). But there's a reason he ended up invisible last season. Hopefully Garcia can rejuvenate his career (I bet he'll get a lot of game time there, at any rate).

No official word on Brandon Thomas yet, but it seems he rolled his ankle and so might have a sprain. My guess is that he'll miss Saturday's game, so expect Chalov to get another start.

Literally every source is saying something different. Shades of Prijovic, though. He stole that first PK (I think from Klaus?) and ended his career with that move. And went on to become our GOAT striker hahaha

Would love another crack at Malmo. Imagine playing them in mid-October or something. Big difference there. I think Midtjylland would be a good one to get simply because they come from a league we need to overtake.

I'm more worried he'll turn into Colak

They're currently down 2-1, 5 minutes to go. Might have just drawn a PK though. Would be huge for them if they get it -edit- no PK, which is the right call tbh

I was so confused by this. Did he fall? Was that on purpose? Bizarre

I'm also sure Camara won't start there 😉

Embarrassing silliness for the PK

The Irish commentators spent some time earlier in the game talking about how this ref is VERY card-happy, has given like five reds in his last seven games. I'm sure they are feeling proud, having predicted yet another here.

I don't think I've ever seen a more intentional own goal. This was like a short-range version of RVP's classic header from two or three cups ago

Camara will never start hahahaha

As an American I'm glad I'm not the only guy who's affected by these new rules!

Talichmanidis might be off to join Makedonikos. I'm assuming the one in the SL2 (with Malezas as coach), but there are like 2,000 teams with that name so who knows! Careers for keepers seem so weird to me. What other position has so little mobility? Especially when teams consider their #2 guy to be so unimportant that he might not even play in a season.

Talent does not just evaporate!

Buying one CB makes sense to me. I figured it was too much to ask for Nasberg to be given the boot. Just get ready for my blow-up in one year where Lucescu (if he's still here) demands he be re-signed and given a raise. Stunned at the Meite thing, but keep in mind this is coming from a bola, which is also saying Benfica is interested only in offloading him permanently. I fundamentally do not understand how Lucescu could still want this guy. It will be poison for the locker room.

It's been reported that we are interested in Jonathan Gomez. He may be the replacement for Soares that some sources claim Lucescu wants (sorry, Tsaousis). Gomez is, interestingly enough, a dual citzen of the US and Mexico, who has played for both national teams in friendlies - I believe (and correct me if I'm wrong), that means he still has not actually officially chosen a nationality for international games? Looks like most of his international experience has been with youth teams in the US. I should note he's also only 20 years old. Anyway, he's currently in the Real Sociedad B team, who reportedly wants to only loan him out (while PAOK wants to acquire the player permanently). https://www.transfermarkt.com/jonathan-gomez/profil/spieler/674501 Here are some highlights:

Here's a rundown of prize money for Europa League. I'm not sure if the knockout stages are cumulative or not, but even without the variable ranking and media bonuses, a team that qualifies to the league stage and wins all eight games will make at least 8.21mm. Such a team would also probably make around 5 million in additional prizes for those variable share-based bonuses. Qualifying to league stage: 4,310,000 (a down payment of 4.14mm and a deferred payment of 170k) Win: 450,000 Draw: 150,000 League stage also gives ranking bonuses. This is a big departure from how it was done previously. The league will provide "shares," which are each valued at 75k. The lowest-ranked team will receive one share, while the highest-ranked will receive 36 (so, a max payout of an additional 2,700,000) League stage will also pay 600k to each of the top eight teams, and 300k for the teams ranked 9th through 16th Qualifying for the knockouts yields additional bonuses: 300k for making it to knockout 1.75mm for round of 16 2.5mm for quarter finals 4.2mm 7mm for qualification to the final 6mm for winning the final There is also a new "value pillar" associated with media rights. There will be 666 shares (rock on), which we don't yet have the value for, but is estimated at 74k. The lowest-ranked team in the competition will receive a single share, the highest ranked team will receive 36 shares. Let's hope I don't have to look this up for Conference League, eh? Source: https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/028b-1a7880138a24-7a993e2e33d1-1000/20240322_circular_2024_13_en.pdf

It is possible - but unlikely - that there might be a financial reporting reason for this. Perhaps Wolfsburg's fiscal year-end is is August 31st, so a transfer would have to officially happen the first day of September? Or, perhaps, we offered to give him up for slightly less money while we got to keep him for an extra two weeks. Either way, very strange all around. I also wonder if the deal is truly signed (but if not, we go back to the question: why announce it?)...

Seems the Kouliarakis transfer has been announced, but will still take place after these games. Odd that we are announcing so soon but at least we made a lotta cash!