Marten

Yes, they would. So every country in the A division is more or less guaranteed at least a PO spot as there is no chance more than 4 teams in A will fail to qualify. Basically, all countries in B are nearly guaranteed as well as I can't see it happening that only 16 or fewer out of the 24 in A and B qualify.

No, Olympics only counted as full internationals pre-1930. After that Olympics became for amateurs only. This rule eventually got changed (I think early 80's) as communist countries had an advantage. Their players were only amateurs in name: they were paid by the government and effectively full time players. That's why the age limit got brought in. Although you could argue that the game in 1948 will have featured the full first teams for Luxembourg & Afghanistan (as neither had professionals at the time), so should count.

Agreed. I'd quite like this to become a UK/Ireland semi pro competition (ok, there are full time sides in the Scottish Championship & English National League, but still). Say take the 30 lower division SPFL sides + HL/LL + Wales + ROI + NI + National League = 124 teams. Either give out 4 byes or add some teams like representatives from Isle of Man, Orkney, Shetland & Western Isles to make it 128. Could be a very interesting tournament.

Football in Luxembourg is definitely on the rise. F91 Dudelange qualified for the Europa League & the national team improved greatly. Discounting Olympics (as they don't count as full internationals), this has been their biggest ever competitive win. Football in the country is really well organised there now after a restructuring some time back. Youth development is brilliant and they are starting to produce professional players who play for (lower division) full time teams in Belgium, France and Germany. It's still a very small country, but they have a population larger than Iceland, so you'll never know what's possible. They have definitely outgrown the absolute minnows category.

The defending at those goals was poor yes, that's what I noticed too. You were definitely creating going forward. Could (or should) have scored another.

Having been at the the game I didn't think you guys were as bad as the scoreline suggests. I do think Tayport were the better side and deserved their win, but 4-1 was a harsh scoreline on Fauldhouse. You should also have had a penalty after a clear handball mid 2nd half. I do hope that you're not trying to get me banned from Hoose games though... I've seen you guys play 3 times and concede 12 goals.

Tayport 4 Fauldhouse 1 today. Nice ground.

In B, C, D, I don't think it's as clear cut that the SoS champions will be picked (and I don't think it's sure they'll even apply). If the EoS v SoS play-off will be another drubbing like last season's 10-0 aggregate win for Kelty, there is a big chance they'd choose another EoS winner ahead of the SoS club.

Agreed, especially the D league looks great for these countries, who have apparently all really been looking forward to this competition. Finally some competitive games against opposition of their level with a shot on qualifying for Euro 2020.

To be honest, I'd be extremely surprised if club 14 wouldn't be let back in to fill the vacancy. Team 15 (in the case promotion/relegation isn't resulting in an extra LL team), could be in trouble as 15th is already "possible relegation" in a 16 team league, so clubs might think that they finished in a relegation place regardless, although I'd still think team 15 will at least have a decent hope of filling the vacancy. However, team 14 would be the victim of both Selkirk's demise and circumstances in the SPFL/LL/HL play-offs. I think there is a very fair argument to be made for them to be voted back in.

It's not the futsal squad playing. It's a team of semi-pro/amateur players from the 3rd and 4th tiers. Due to this ridiculous situation there will be (max.) 14 players who will always be able to call themselves Danish international. Nice thing to be able to say as an amateur in the 4th tier.

The Lowland League have already confirmed that the bottom club, now number 15, will get relegated with a possible second relegation spot if a LL area team get relegated from SPFL2 & a HL team get promoted. This is because there are now officially 15 teams in the league, with the regulations clearly mentioning the bottom (and possibly second bottom) club get relegated, positions are not mentioned. There will be a vacancy however, meaning that the relegated club(s) can apply to be re-elected to the LL. I'd expect them to have a decent chance as the LL clubs won't want a club to be punished because of Selkirk's demise. In theory there can even be 2 vacancies, but for that either Elgin or Peterhead have to finish bottom & lose the play-off against the LL champions. Not very likely imo.

Sure, maybe some time later in the season, or when you have an away game at any of the teams I'm still planning to visit!

Ah ok, good man. Excellent way to see a bit of the country too. What brought you over here? (Other than a plane or a boat) Long story short, I was already living/working in central England but that wasn't really what I wanted. Then a company trading internationally over here were desperate for someone speaking fluent Dutch/German. As you can imagine, they aren't too easy to find, so I grabbed the chance and moved up. Not regretting it.

No, I don't support a particular team. I moved here just over a year ago, I'm originally from The Netherlands. I support Excelsior Rotterdam, but as I can't exactly go to many games, I decided to go to different grounds across Scotland. I've always been a fan of lower league/non-league football. Lochee Utd are just my closest team.

I've been to most East Superleague grounds and a number of Premier League ones last season. After all the changes there are a few left for me in the new Superleague to finish the league. Tayport is one of them (others I still got to go to are Downfield, Kirrie, Glenrothes & Whitburn).

I've already been to Carnoustie previously, never been to Tayport before, that's why.

Is anybody able to help me? I'm planning to visit Tayport v Fauldhouse next week, but on the Tayport website I saw the game was being played in Fauldhouse, yet on the SJFA website it's listed as a home game for Tayport. Can anyone confirm it's being played in Tayport? Also, is there a club house or something to have a pre-match pint? Maybe @superbigal knows?

Leipzig is a great place to go. The club isn't very attractive, but the city is absolutely great, well worth a visit.

The most professional organisation based at Hampden is Queen's Park Football Club, who are amateurs...

Motherwell 3-3 Rangers today. Now done 24 of the 42.

East Fife 0-3 Arbroath yesterday.

They haven't exactly been welcoming to the idea of relegation from their league in recent years. Hopefully that's changing now, but until then, you can't blame FW for being in that league.

What is actively damaging the league is their refusal so far to properly join the pyramid & allow relegation. Once that happens, FW will drop down to the level that is appropriate for them, whatever that might be, while other clubs that "should" be in the HL, will end up there.

Almost all clubs only have some kind of fan registration system for the high risk games, like Ajax v Feyenoord or Go Ahead Eagles v Zwolle for example. Even then, I attended a number of Dutch high risk games with tickets bought for me by others...