Albania TA

To be fair to him, by all accounts the Albania of today is an order of magnitude better than what they allegedly had to put up with in those times.

Rudi Vata did so in France 'In March 1991, Rudi Vata sought political asylum from the harsh communist regime which then governed Albania. Feigning injury during a France v Albania friendly at Parc des Princes, he walked up the tunnel, and kept walking into a French police station, where he claimed and was granted asylum from the oppressive circumstances in his homeland. Six of his international team-mates did the same.'

It isn't showing up on any of the schedules. I expect that if BBC Scotland aren't covering it, then no-one else will supply a feed.

No. Until last December you payed 10 Euros on entry to Albania, but that was done away with and EU nationals now get in free.

It's a non-story. Slow news day where the Ugly Sisters are concerned, so they have to fill their pages with some kind of nonsense. It's standard procedure for it to take a couple of days to process visas, especially when it involves large groups, so no conspiracy there. Only question is why Flamurtari didn't send there paperwork in before last Friday, given that they would have known there opponents the previous Friday, and their address in the UK by early last week, once they had confirmed their travelling arrangements.

Ok, Wise Guy!! What I meant was that you need to score three to win, the point being that failing to score an away goal leaves you at the mercy of not losing the first goal in the return game.

My team???? I'm a Jag based in Tirana, and I'm supporting Motherwell in this tie!!!! And I certainly have not posted any insults. That doesn't stop me being objective about what I watched. As I said elsewhere, the first goal next week is crucial to the outcome of the tie, and my fear is that Motherwell will be susceptible to their pace on the break, as we saw in the last 15 minutes last night.

You still lost. Remember, if the conditions are easier for Motherwell next week, then, hey, they are also easier for them too. The outccome of tonight's game is that Flmurtari don't need to win next week. Motherwell do. And you missed three gilt edged chances tonight.................

So what happened tonight then? What an arrogant statement. As things stand, you've a chase on to make that one come true.

The voice of reason. They have the lead. So tonight they are the better team, no question. Using tonight as a basis, where exactly is Motherwell's inspiration arriving from for next week's game.??

Too much assumption going on here, Motherwell fans. First goal next week is crucial. Flamurtari scoore it, then the Well will have a mountain to climb. And given that Motherwell will have to force the game, they will be exposed to pace like they were in the last ten tonight. It's anyone's game.

Stopping the game after 25 minutes of each half for rehydration in extreme temperatures (above 30 dgreesC) is pretty normal in most leagues, except of course in the UK.

Did his job well. Sutoon and McGarry???

The keeper had nothing to do with it. He was fine. He is absolutely entitled to the security of protection from those in front of him. And if Sutton is a numpty who totally switches off at a defensive throw in, then........................

Yes it is. Team stayed at the Sheraton in Tirana which is 3 hours drive from Vlore

It looked to me like a typical Scottish away performance in Europe. Try not to lose a goal and think if you've got away with 0-0, and you've got a great result. And as we all know, if the opposition scores first at home what is 0-1 effectively becomes 0-3. Motherwell had chances in the palm of their hand tonight. Both headers that hit the bar should have been scored (one for each side). And, let' be realistic, a penalty should be buried even if it is twice taken. The defending for the goal was criminal, though. A poor throw-in from the home side, followed by a hoof back inside...... AAAARRGGHH. Flamurtari have the advantage and have pace to burn, so the first goal next week will go a long way to deciding who goes through.

Game is being shown live on the Tring Sports channel in Albania, so MyP2P should have it. Check later today for links.

They did - they drew 0-0 in Lisbon despite playing over half the game with 10 men. And it was only a horrific error in injury time that stopped them achieving a draw in Tirana. The point is that Flamurtari will be well organised tomorrow. Throw in that they are an unknown quantity for Motherwell, that the conditions will favour them, and that Motherwell's journey has not been an ideal preparation for the game, then it becomes clear that a positive result (which I obviously hope you get) will be a major achievement, all told.

Mate, Carlos Queiroz and the rest of the Portugal squad would have you committed for that statement. Underestimate them at your peril.

No it's not - it's wonderful, believe me. But maybe not for playing football, though.

1630.

Just noticed that Vllaznia are playing Rapid Vienna away first, so the Well game will be a stick-on to be shown on DigitAlb. This link should be helpful to those looking for a feed on the day: http://www.myp2p.eu/competition.php?compet...ipline=football

Haven't seen any news from DigitAlb SuperSport re coverage for this week yet, which is why I haven't posted. Normally they do cover their own teams' European endeavours. However, last week they showed Vllaznia - Sligo Rovers live, BUT not the Tirana game. And this week the start of Vllaznia's qualifier coincides with the second half of the Well game. So it may not be a given that they are covering both games. We should know definitively tomorrow morning whether they are covering it.

Eh? Isn't it the case that under UEFA rules the away team has to be in the country a minimum of 24 hours before kick-off?

If it's true that they are flying BA, then it's a false economy by the club, given that they would be leaving Glasgow (I presume) on the 1000 flight, connecting at Gatwick at 1545, and not arriving at the Sheraton before 2100 tonight. I know from experience that it's a physically and mentally exhausting journey. Also, if they are returning via that route, the flight doesn't get back to Gatwick until 2255, so there's no connecting flight until Saturday morning. Not sure what the costs of a charter are, but I think that given the circumstances and significance of this trip, it may have been a more suitable option.