12-07-2023, 07:30 PM
(09-07-2023, 12:18 PM)Pompey_in_Derby Wrote:Excellent post with a great insight into European football. Can now see why they were keen to play Pompey & Hibs.(08-07-2023, 01:23 PM)mikey393 Wrote:Not sure they have a wealthy owner. More likely heavily subsidised by UEFA!(06-07-2023, 09:39 PM)exgaffer Wrote:(06-07-2023, 08:19 PM)mikey393 Wrote: Sculley impact injury it says hopefully not too bad.
30C temperature on a ropey plastic pitch miles from anywhere!
Sounds like bad club planning playing a semi-pro team from Gibraltar.
Makes you wonder whether they could have played Malaga who have a decent pitch easily accessible.
It’s a pre season kick about, no more no less.
It gives the players a chance to get used to playing with each other and for fringe players to stake a claim.
That’s it.
All Agreed Gaffer but definitely Not sure about the opposition or the ground.
Would like to hear any views from someone who went to the game if they've got out of Linekers in Fuengirola yet!
Hibs are playing them today at the same ground I believe.
Sounds like they have a wealthy owner offering incentives to play them.
Bear in mind that Gibraltar's total population is just over 30,000 and most of them live in tower blocks in a tiny slither of land between the base of the Rock and the port. Very similar to the area of Buckland, Landport, the City Centre, Portsea and Somerstown combined!
Yet somehow they support a league of 11 professional and semi pro clubs. Europa get around 200 fans, Lincoln Red Imps a few more and the rest barely 100. Lincoln seem to qualify for the Champions League qualifying rounds every season - their main claim to fame being a 1-0 win against Glasgow Celtic. Europa are regulars in the Euro Conference League. Next week Lincoln play a side from Azerbaijan while Europa visit Kosovo. Every away match involves a flight via London with who knows how long a wait for a connection? How the hell are such fixtures financially sustainable?
Am certain that UEFA ensures that the TV money from the Euros and the big 4 leagues (England, Germany, Italy and Spain) effectively subsidises the minnow leagues so clubs from Andorra, Faroes, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Kosovo, Cyprus, Malta, Moldova, Estonia etc can afford to play all over Europe. Similarly, their national teams as well as under 21s, under 19s etc. Despite all the hype and global attention around the so called Champions League, the biggest club match in history (in financial terms for the clubs themselves) was the play-off final between Luton and Coventry! Only because UEFA don't get their grubby hands on the money involved!