Some (sort of) positive stories from the European Competitions this mid week.
Sheriff Tiraspol from Moldova have qualified for the Champions League, becoming the first ever Moldovan league side to make it to the group stages. Considering Moldova is generally considered as the poorest nation in Europe, it is some achievement. The only negative is that Sheriff are from the breakaway Transnistria republic (short hand - one of 4 or 5 unofficial republics in old Soviet countries that it seems only exist to provide Russia an artificial buffer zone on their borders with Europe - ironic considering they will face a team from Donetsk in the group stages given the status of Donetsk in Ukraine being quite similar). The club also seems to be owned by the largest company in the region and it does feel bit murky. Still, a Moldovan club facing Real Madrid and Inter in the next round is an interesting contrast.
In the Europa conference league, the positives of the competition are also shining through already in it’s first season. Flora CC of Estonia have qualified for the group stages after winning in Dublin tonight. It would have been good to see Shamrock Rovers repeat their famous European exploits from a decade ago, however I don’t think an Estonian side has ever got to the group stage of European competition before so it’s another tick for UEFA (besides, I’ve been slowly worn down by what feels like a majority of Irish football fans hatred of the English over recent years and so it’s got harder to route for them as I once did).
The biggest story however comes from Gibraltar, where Lincoln Red Imps have some how managed to become the first Gibraltar side to make a group stage in Europe. The Gibraltar league is ranked below the Welsh and Northern Irish leagues by UEFA, so this is probably the most positive story to come from this years conference league. If a side from Gibraltar can qualify for the groups, then near enough any league in Europe should enter the competition in future years with realistic hopes of success.