Liverpool draw Maccabi Haifa for (soccer) Champions League on 22/23 August

[muriel_volestrangler]

Not exactly an away fixture to look forward to.

LIVERPOOL vowed to fight any attempt to make them play in war-torn Israel after the club were drawn against Maccabi Haifa in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.
...
Uefa has written to the Israeli FA for its observations, while Haifa are keen to play the second leg of their third-round qualifying tie on August 22 or 23 in Tel Aviv, which remains largely unaffected by the troubles, but Liverpool want the match played on a neutral ground amid security fears.

“It’s a crazy situation and totally unacceptable to even think about us going over there at this time,” Benítez, speaking from the club’s pre-season training camp in Switzerland, said.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-2290326,00.html

[Captain Hilts]

1. Go Reds!!!!! But not to Israel....nt

[rockymountaindem]

2. I think the Israelis will have the real homefield advantage there

They'll be less likely to flinch when a Hezbollah rocket flies overhead. If I were the Maccabi manager I'd fight hard to play on my home turf.

[northzax]

3. makes Manchester, Away, look like a pleasant task, don't it?

it won't be played in Israel, I'm pretty sure of that, unless there is a serious cessation of hostilities for several weeks before hand. starting like, now. If I were FIFA, I would propose two neutral sites, to make it even, say, New York and DC.

[T_i_B]

4. At least Maccabi Haifa didn't get West Ham

[northzax]

5. The very Spector of that...

this may be the funniest thing I have read in weeks.

but seriously now, 18.6 million pounds for Carrick? (Sir) Fergie is nuts.

[T_i_B]

6. Carrick's a good player...

...just not £18.6 million pounds worth of good player in my opinion.

[northzax]

7. or anyone else's, I think

the Spurs are certainly counting that cash with relish. but I guess after losing van Niestelrooy, something had to be done at Old Trafford to keep up appearences with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.

[nickgutierrez]

8. Ibrahimovic or Trezeguet would be nice...

...but Juve says they're not selling any more.

[T_i_B]

9. What top clubs will be after Ibrahimovic?

He's widely considered to be the most overrated striker around. I honestly don't know anyone who rates the guy.

Anyway, the English Championship (the league below the premier league) is starting a new season today. Let's hope that Wednesday have a good season, and it will be interesting to see how the team near where I live (Colchester United, proud owners of the worst football stadium in the country) get on.

[northzax]

12. best. line. ever.

Let's hope that Wednesday have a good season ROFL!!!!

[T_i_B]

14. BARMY ARMY!

Beats supporting Weeds or the Pigs I tell ya!

And supporting your home town team beats glory hunting any day!

[northzax]

13. and he's out until at least September

oops.

[dr.zoidberg]

10. Hey, wait. a minute...

Hasn't the Israeli side in the Champions League played their Champions League matches in Europe the past few years?

[T_i_B]

11. It depends....

...if things get bad they are known to play in Cyprus. Given the current pallaver that might not be a bad idea. Either way, Maccabi Haifa are not a bad side and I don't envy Liverpool for having drawn them.

[ticapnews]

15. Liverpool spared trip to Israel

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/story.asp?j=191400130&p=y9y4xx836&n=191400890

Liverpool’s Champions League qualifier against Maccabi Haifa will be played on a neutral ground after UEFA today announced no European games will be held in Israel during the current armed conflict.

UEFA have told the Israeli FA and clubs to provide alternative venues within another UEFA member association.

Liverpool are playing Maccabi Haifa at Anfield on Wednesday with the return leg on August 23.

UEFA said in a statement: “UEFA have today decided in the light of the ongoing armed conflicts in and around Israel, no European competition matches can be staged in the country until further notice. UEFA had already decided last week to move the first-leg matches of the UEFA Cup second qualifying round involving Israeli teams to be played outside Israel. UEFA has also informed the Israeli FA and its clubs they should be providing alternative venues within the territory of one of the UEFA member associations. The UEFA administration will continue to monitor the safety and security situation in Israel and further decisions will be made according to changes in the situation.”

The Israeli FA had made strenuous efforts to persuade UEFA to let them stage games in the capital Tel Aviv, but to no avail.

[northzax]

16. not a big shock

still, bad luck for Maccabi.

[northzax]

17. Reds 2-1 at Anfield

not the best result for the 'Pool, but a win is a win. Let's see what happens in a week...