How far will we go in Europe?

[Sir David Gray]

I think we'll be comfortably beaten by Asteras Tripolis to be honest. I hope I'm wrong.

I don't think we've strengthened anywhere near enough to win this tie.

[Sioux]

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We’ve not prepared for this properly. Team is 4-5 players short. We probably don’t go further than this round.

Usual nonsense from the resident troll.

[Sir David Gray]

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Usual nonsense from the resident troll.

On this occasion I don't see much wrong with what he's said. Perhaps apart from the accusation that we haven't prepared.

[Fuzzywuzzy]

I've got a feeling they will be quite a clever and dirty team.

[cleanyman]

We will be out this round.

Not a good enough squad to progress

[SingaporeHibs]

Given my knowledge of the Greeks has come from this message board I can’t say I know enough about them to have any idea of their quality. However, i read they have signed a bunch of newbies and that gives me hope as far as they go. Looking at us, our first choice defence is still in tact, we still have McGinn and I fancy we still will have him for both ties at least, we have a number of options of formation around him in the middle of the park so not too concerned. That said, I would be a lot happier if Scott A was back already (I know not likely unless SJM goes the other way) or even having the pace of Barker back. However, Slivka, Bartman, Whitty, Boyle,Swanson around SJM still gives us options at this stage. How could I forget our freekick specialist, Super Stevie!! Up front we have Flo and we need another along side him but Shaw is more than capable for now. Overall, we have a chance this round and then we’ll be more prepared for the next round and again the draw has been fairly kind so in with a chance. After that it’s all about the draw again. If some of these Irish & Welsh sides can make the group as they have in recent years there is no reason we can’t. It will be about getting team and formation right in this round and the next and see what luck we carry. I’ve been following this club for 40 years so fully understand the safety blanket of expecting defeat going into these games but our club changed in 2016. I’m all for believing and confidence counts for a lot in Football. I’ll be happy clapping our way to the groups and some really big income that will boost our Club to a level that’s way beyond any of our expectations at this stage of the rebuild. We’re on our way GGTTH

[blackpoolhibs]

I have no idea how good this lot are, or even how good Greek football is these days with their economy down the ****ter?

[Lancs Harp]

Need a European loyalty scheme in place. I mean 250,000 Hibs fans trying to get their hands on 12,000 final tickets for Baku.

Glad I've got my flights and accommodation already sorted.

[shetlandhibee]

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If we play to our potential then I expect we will win the game on Thursday, whether or not that will be enough to win the tie is anyone's guess. We will need atleast a 2 goal advantage going into the second leg to stand a chance though.

This is Asteras first competitive game of the season and there is a possibility we could catch them cold.

remember bronby a draw on thursday wouldnt be end of the world, a clean sheet and a 1 0 win would be exellent IMO

[superfurryhibby]

Feeling confident that we will win the tie at ER. I think European football suits our style and we have enough talented players to aquit ourselves well in this campaign. We will have new players signed soon enough too.

My long standing pessimistic take on Hibs has been diminished by the targets we’ve set season on season for the past few years and the fact that we have the foundations to carry on building and really cement our aim of being a very decent side. Players come and go, it’s about quality replacements and shrewd recruitment.

If we can’t sustain our forward momentum now then we probably never will.

[hfc rd]

Taking it one game at a time. Pretty much I don’t know what to expect from this Greek side but at the same time, I’m sure they will be feeling the exact same about us.

Let’s just see how things unfold in front us.

[Pescarese]

The Greeks will be a tough challenge. So will Molde, if we get through. That’s assuming Molde win, would be a big and welcome surprise if they don’t. But we’ll be unseeded for the play off and that will take the challenge to a whole new level. Here’s hoping for the group stages, but I’m not putting money on it.

[CMurdoch]

Although i know very little about our Greek opponents I do know that their home attendances are 10% of what ours are!!!
However, the Greek TV deal is almost 3 times the size of ours despite only having twice the population!!!
This in a nutshell is why Scottish teams struggle.
I believe Hibs will win this tie.

[BoomtownHibees]

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I believe Hibs will win.

Aw no this song again. Was terrible the first time round

[hfc rd]

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remember bronby a draw on thursday wouldnt be end of the world, a clean sheet and a 1 0 win would be exellent IMO

Disagree. We need to take a 1st leg lead when we go to Greece as they have a very good strong home record. Only Spurs & Schalke have won over there

[Lancs Harp]

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Although i know very little about our Greek opponents I do know that their home attendances are 10% of what ours are!!!
However, the Greek TV deal is almost 3 times the size of ours despite only having twice the population!!!
This in a nutshell is why Scottish teams struggle.
I believe Hibs will win this tie.

Not that it will have a bearing on the outcome of the tie but to back CMs point up Asteras average just above 1800. Only Olympiakos and AEK average over 10k (14k and 12k). I think when I was checking Asteras out after the draw was made I think their stadium only holds 8k.

[CREESE]

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Except Slivka and McGeouch play two pretty different roles

Either Whittaker or Bartley will start in midfield imo, which is not ideal

I would suggest that Slivka is ideally suited to playing that role. Taking the ball off the defense and beginning the play with McGinn / S Allan and Mallan ahead of him, when playing 3 - 5 - 2.

[GRA]

I'd say we have a 50-50 chance of beating the Greeks. If we can get a first leg win and clean sheet that sets us up nicely for away. I'd be surprised if we get further as I suspect the midweek-weekend flow of games will catch up with our thin squad if we (probably) play Molde. A few extra quality bodies in may change that!

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[lord bunberry]

I think we’ll beat the Greek team at home and do enough away to qualify. Beating Molde(probably) will depend on us bringing in a couple of new players. I’m sure the club are doing everything they can to bring in players, but it’s taking a while. We’ve got 2 tough but winnable ties to leave us on the brink of something special and I’d hate to be left thinking what might have been.
Id push the boat out and get McLaren back ASAP.

[Lancs Harp]

It will certainly be a big financial boost for the club to make the group stage, not to mention a great trip for our players and fans. The link is for the Europa League money distribution, on top of that we would obviously have extra gate and merchandise revenue etc.

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague...d=2562034.html

[Nicho87]

I think Thursday will be a major step up in class. Lack of signings from us in regards to getting Allan, McLaren back are a big blow.

We currently have a poorer squad than we did last season.

Think we may draw on Thursday. But beaten in Greece

[jonny]

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Odds to make the groups?

Can't find a price for that. Probably have to request a bet to get it.

We're even money to qualify past the Greeks, they are just a little bit shorter and slight favourites to qualify, although Hibs are favourites for Thursday's game at 6/5 with Tripolis being 9/4.

[B.H.F.C]

To make the groups it’s pretty obvious that you’ll need to beat some decent sides.

But the draw has given us a realistic chance of getting to the playoff round at least. When you compare it to what it’s thrown up for Aberdeen for example.

Hope we can make the most of it.

[WhileTheChief..]

Nothing to to fear from either of the next two rounds.

Approach them with confidence and take our chances against a seeded team in the playoffs

[basehibby]

I think we'll beat Asteras, get a spawny draw and earn ourselves a place in the groups. Will then finish a respectable 3rd and be squeezed out.

Optimist? Who - me???

[Hibbyradge]

I expect we'll lose over 2 legs to Tripolis.

[Michael]

I think the odds are probably 55/45 in the Greeks favour due to their European experience. Really hope we can get a wee European run though. The group stages would be amazing. Must be great to regularly get to that stage - you get all sorts of interesting ties.

[Ozyhibby]

If (big if) we can beat Astoras and Molde and the rest of the draw goes with the seeds then we will play one of these teams in the play off round.

Sevilla ** Esp 113.000
Zenit St. Petersburg *3 Rus 78.000
Besiktas ** Tur 57.000
Olympiakos Piraeus *3 Gre 54.000
Sparta Praha ** Cze 34.500
FC København * Den 34.000
Sporting Braga *3 Por 30.500
PAOK Thessaloniki @2 Gre 29.500
FCSB ** Rom 27.500
AA Gent *3 Bel 27.000
Racing Genk ** Bel 27.000
AZ Alkmaar ** Ned 25.000
NK Maribor * Slo 22.500




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[Austinho]

If we’re going to make it through, Neil Lennon is the best man to do it. Beat Barcelona with Celtic, and very nearly took us through against Brondby when we were a Championship side. I think he’ll have us set up the right way.

We certainly shouldn’t be fearing the away leg. It’s hardly going to be an intimidating atmosphere with a couple of thousand home fans. Any other team in Greece and we’d be up against a wall of noise. Hopefully the temperature is low at that time of night, as that will be their main advantage. Hopefully our fitness levels are our main advantage given they don’t start their season for another month.

[DetroitHibs]

Going in to the game with one forward and a young laddie up front. Don't see us getting past the Greeks.