Latest news with #IntertotoCup
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Palace fret over transfers before Community Shield
Crystal Palace Manager Oliver Glasner feels the players and the fans are punished for administrative blunders. PHOTO: REUTERS Crystal Palace head into Sunday's Community Shield versus Liverpool with a worry list ranging from injuries and lacklustre transfer business to their pending appeal against UEFA's decision to demote them from the Europa League. Manager Oliver Glasner guided Palace to a new height in May as they won their first major trophy, beating Manchester City to clinch the FA Cup. But joy at the South London side's first appearance in the Community Shield has been dampened by their off-field issues. Palace were dropped to UEFA's third-tier Conference League last month in an alleged multi-club ownership breach because John Textor, president of Olympique Lyonnais majority owners Eagle Football Group, also had a controlling stake in Palace. Eagle sold their stake in Palace last month, and the English club appealed against the demotion at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with the hearing set for this month. "If you have to play in the Conference League, it feels like we have been punished," Glasner told reporters on Friday. "We hope that this verdict brings us back into the Europa League because, as I said, we haven't done anything wrong." To add to Glasner's worries ahead of Sunday's clash at Wembley, striker Eddie Nketiah is out for eight weeks after suffering an injury during pre-season and midfielder Cheick Doucoure will not return for another two months. "We have also had injuries to (Matheus) Franca and (Caleb) Kporha too. So we are short of numbers. If we want to be competitive, we have to add players with good quality," Glasner added. ' Passive transfer window But Palace have not been active enough to make up the numbers they need for their first season with a UEFA competition since the 1998 Intertoto Cup, the manager said. "We have been quite passive in the transfer window. We have to add a few players to be ready for all the competitions," he said. "In a situation like this now, we definitely need two more players, one at the back and one in the attack." Eberechi Eze, who scored the FA Cup winner, has also been linked with a move away. "He will play on Sunday, definitely," Glasner said. Glasner said his players were looking forward to taking on Premier League champions Liverpool regardless of the problems. "Liverpool (are) a top team and it's much better than playing friendlies. It's a chance to win a trophy and the chance to compete with the champions. We want to show our personality again," he added.
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Palace fret over Europa demotion, transfers ahead of Community Shield
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FA Cup - Semi Final - Crystal Palace v Aston Villa - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - April 26, 2025 Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner before the match REUTERS/David Klein/ File Photo (Reuters) -Crystal Palace head into Sunday's Community Shield versus Liverpool with a worry list ranging from injuries and lacklustre transfer business to their pending appeal against UEFA's decision to demote them from the Europa League. Manager Oliver Glasner guided Palace to a new height in May as they won their first major trophy, beating Manchester City to clinch the FA Cup. But joy at the South London side's first appearance in the Community Shield has been dampened by their off-field issues. Palace were dropped to UEFA's third-tier Conference League last month in an alleged multi-club ownership breach because John Textor, president of Olympique Lyonnais majority owners Eagle Football Group, also had a controlling stake in Palace. Eagle sold their stake in Palace last month, and the English club appealed against the demotion at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with the hearing set for this month. "If you have to play in the Conference League, it feels like we have been punished," Glasner told reporters on Friday. "We hope that this verdict brings us back into the Europa League because, as I said, we haven't done anything wrong." To add to Glasner's worries ahead of Sunday's clash at Wembley, striker Eddie Nketiah is out for eight weeks after suffering an injury during pre-season and midfielder Cheick Doucoure will not return for another two months. "We have also had injuries to (Matheus) Franca and (Caleb) Kporha too. So we are short of numbers. If we want to be competitive, we have to add players with good quality," Glasner added. 'PASSIVE' TRANSFER WINDOW But Palace have not been active enough to make up the numbers they need for their first season with a UEFA competition since the 1998 Intertoto Cup, the manager said. "We have been quite passive in the transfer window. We have to add a few players to be ready for all the competitions," he said. "In a situation like this now, we definitely need two more players, one at the back and one in the attack." Eberechi Eze, who scored the FA Cup winner, has also been linked with a move away. "He will play on Sunday, definitely," Glasner said. Glasner said his players were looking forward to taking on Premier League champions Liverpool regardless of the problems. "Liverpool (are) a top team and it's much better than playing friendlies. It's a chance to win a trophy and the chance to compete with the champions. We want to show our personality again," he added. (Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru)
Irish Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shels' home European record examined as Linfield win extends run to 11 games
Joey O'Brien has hailed as 'brilliant' Shelbourne's unbeaten run at home in Europe, which now stretches to 11 games and way back to 2003, when they were last defeated in Dublin. Not since a 1-0 defeat in 2003 to Olimpija Ljubljana have the Reds lost at home in continental competiton. It's some record when you consider that they have played Hajduk Split, Deportivo La Coruna, Lille, Steaua Bucharest and FC Zurich in that run. O'Brien was delighted to keep it going on Wednesday night against Belfast side Linfield, when Mipo Odubeko's second-half goal earned the League of Ireland champions a slender first-leg advantage. 'It was brilliant,' said O'Brien. We spoke about our record here as a football club, Shelbourne at home, we spoke about that, our record's fantastic and we wanted to continue that on. 'I just spoke to the lads before the game, just sort of said to them, this is what it's about, this is what you want to be involved in as a kid, playing Champions League football. Don't let this opportunity go by. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 'There's been so much talk about this football club over the last few weeks, about myself, the manager leaving, all that sort of stuff. I wanted the focus to be on them. 'I said to them, 'At a quarter to eight, make sure you're ready to rock, go out and do your talking out on the pitch. There's too much noise around this football club. Let's show everyone how good of players we are'. 'And I thought we done that." 2004/05 Champions League 0-0 KR Reykjavik (Iceland) 2-0 Hajduk Split (Croatia) 0-0 Deportivo La Coruna (Spain) 2004/05 UEFA Cup 2-2 Lille (France) 2005/06 Champions League 4-1 Glentoran (Northern Ireland) 0-0 Steaua Bucharest (Romania) 2006 Intertoto Cup 4-0 Vetra (Lithuania) 1-0 Odense (Denmark) 2024/25 Europa Conference League 2-1 St Joseph's (Gibraltar) 0-0 FC Zurich (Switzerland) 2025/26 Champions League 1-0 Linfield (Northern Ireland)
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Bernard Lacombe dead at 72: Legendary France striker who won Euro 1984 passes away as tributes flood in
Legendary former France international Bernard Lacombe has passed away at the age of 72. The prolific striker is perhaps best remembered as one of the victorious European Champions of 1984 alongside Michel Platini, and netted 12 times for Les Bleus in his 38 international appearances. One of those strikes remains a record-breaker today, after Lacombe scored within 30 seconds of the World Cup clash with Italy back in 1978, France's fastest at football's greatest competition. Beyond success on the international scene, Lacombe was known in the seventies and eighties as one of the most lethal forwards in France. In fact, he has the second-most goals of any player in Ligue 1 history, registering 255 strikes in 497 appearances across stints with Lyon, Saint-Etienne and Bordeaux. French giants Lyon, where he played 258 times, paid tribute to their former star and manager on social media in the wake of the tragic news. 'It is with immense sadness that we learned on Tuesday evening of the passing of Bernard Lacombe,' they wrote. 'All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones, as well as with the fans of Olympique Lyonnais and football. 'Rest in peace, Bernard.' After hanging up his boots, Lacombe went on to manage Lyon - where he came through the ranks having been born in the city - for four years between 1996 and 2000, winning the Intertoto Cup in 1997. He would also spend 20 years as a special advisor to owner Jean-Michel Aulas, and was reportedly crucial to the retention of a number of the club's Brazilian players, such as Juninho. French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo, added an emotive response to the news, saying: 'It is with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of Bernard Lacombe. Bernard Lacombe left an indelible mark on French football, as a player, coach, and manager. 'He was one of the greatest strikers in the history of French football. The second-highest scorer in Division 1, he made his mark on the glorious history of Lyon, Saint-Étienne, and Bordeaux. He also shone with the French national team. His goals helped establish Les Bleus on the international stage. 'Bernard Lacombe was a major contributor to the 1984 European Championship title. He performed some of France's greatest feats, including his goal in the opening seconds of the game against Italy at the 1978 World Cup. He was undoubtedly a source of inspiration for many strikers. 'After his remarkable playing career, Bernard Lacombe put his footballing knowledge to work for Olympique Lyonnais, his beloved club. 'With Jean-Michel Aulas, whom I am thinking of very much in these difficult moments, he formed a duo that transformed OL into a successful club. 'Deeply attached to his city, his club, and his friends, Bernard Lacombe will be deeply missed. 'The Federation will pay tribute to him. On behalf of all French football, I extend my most sincere condolences to his family and friends.' Bordeaux, for whom he featured 297 times and scored 137 goals, added on X: 'With immense sadness, Bernard Lacombe has just left us at the age of 72. 'Having played for [Bordeaux] between 1979 and 1987, this legendary striker left his mark on the club's history with his talent and generosity. 'The entire Marine et Blanc family mourns today a striker of rare elegance, one of the greatest players in the club's history. Thank you, Bernard.'
Irish Daily Mirror
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Champions League details and seedings as Shelbourne wait on draw
Shelbourne's return to top-tier European competition will move a step closer on Tuesday afternoon when Damien Duff's men learn who they will face in the Champions League first qualifying round. The Reds will compete in Europe's premier tournament for the first time in 20 years, thanks to last season's dramatic League of Ireland title win. In their last appearance in the Champions League, they eased past Glentoran in the first round, winning 6-2 on aggregate, before they bowed out to Steaua Bucharest. A year earlier, Pat Fenlon's side came agonisingly close to group stage football when they progressed past KR and Hadjuk Split, but came up just short of Deportivo La Coruna. Since then, Shels have competed in the 2006 Intertoto Cup and last season's Europa Conference League. After progressing past Gibraltar side St Joseph's, they were eliminated by Zurich in the second qualifying round. What's at stake? This year, they are guaranteed a crack at the Champions League, with at least one safety net, depending on when they drop out of the top tournament. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Shels will be unseeded in Tuesday's draw, but there are some potentially winnable ties among the seeded teams. Progressing one round would greatly enhance their prospects of securing group stage football, as Shamrock Rovers demonstrated last year when they made it all the way to the last-32 of the Europa Conference League. Lose in the first round and they drop straight into the Conference League, rather than the Europa League. When is the draw? The draw takes place on Tuesday June 17 at 1pm Irish time. Where can I watch it? UEFA will stream the draw live. What about the Ts & Cs? While the brilliant Bert Kassies website gives us the latest seedings ahead of the draw, UEFA will confirm any changes, groupings (regional) and draw procedure here on Tuesday morning. Are Shelbourne seeded? Unfortunately, Shels are not seeded in the draw. Given their lack of European action in recent times, their coefficient is one of the lowest of all Champions League contenders. So, who might they face? UEFA will, on Tuesday morning, narrow the list of potential opponents, but Shelbourne could be drawn against Belfast side Linfield or Welsh outfit The New Saints, who lost to Shamrock Rovers in the league phase of last year's Europa Conference League. Other seeded teams include Lincoln Red Imps (Gibraltar), Buducnost Podgorica (Montenegro), Breidablik (Iceland), FC Drita (Kosovo), KuPS (Finland), Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina), RFS Riga (Latvia), Zalgiris Vilnius (Lithuania), Malmö (Sweden), Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia), FCSB (Romania) and Ludogorets Razgrad (Bulgaria).
