What TV channel is Shelbourne vs Qarabag on? Stream, tickets, time and odds for Champions League clash
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Shelbourne's first Champions League campaign in 20 years has got off to a good start
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Qarabag FK have qualified for a European group/league stage every year since 2014
Linfield dropped down to the Conference League second qualifying round after the loss where they will face Zalgiris Vilnius.
Qarabağ FK were put straight into the second round of qualifiers due to Azerbaijan's superior coefficient.
Here is everything you need to know before watching the game:
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WHAT TIME IS KICK-OFF?
The crunch fixture kicks-off at 7:45pm in Drumcondra.
WHAT TV CHANNEL IS SHELS VS QARABAG ON?
The Champions League clash
The coverage starts at 7:15pm and post match analysis will go on until 10:15pm.
ARE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE?
Tickets initially sold out on the day of their general sale release, but a very limited amount of tickets were put on sale yesterday.
Most read in Football
The Azerbaijan champions failed to sell out their away allocation and the excess tickets were sold to home fans. These tickets have since sold out also.
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
Qarabağ FK are heavy favourites going into the clash despite being out of season. Bookmakers have them set at 13/20 to win the first leg.
Roma fans mob and serenade Ireland star Evan Ferguson at airport ahead of loan move from Brighton
Shelbourne are 9/2 to win and a draw is 3/1, considering the Auld Reds are 11 home games unbeaten in European competitions. A record stretching over 21 years, including draws to Lille and Deportivo de La Coruña.
Shelbourne are 6/1 to qualify for the next round whereas the Azerbaijani side are 1/10.
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID IN THE BUILD-UP?
Qarabağ FK boss Gurban Gurbanov has been complimentary of Shelbourne, having watched them play in the last round of the Champions League qualifiers.
The Azeri manager said: "We are going to face a good side. I can only say good words about this team because I have been here and I watched the game against Linfield in the stadium.
'They have a unique style of play, they are very disciplined and physically very prepared.
Shelbourne
The Reds were trying to get international clearance for Speel in time for him to be available for selection against the Azerbaijani champions on Wednesday, although Healy will start at Tolka Park.
Shels also
The North Dublin side have been long time admirers of the youth star who even featured on the bench for Mikel Arteta's side in a Champions League game.
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The 42
5 hours ago
- The 42
Why Jim McGuinness's impact in soccer was underrated
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In 2017, he was named assistant coach of Chinese Super League side Beijing Sinobo Guoan, working alongside Roger Schmidt, who has since gone on to manage PSV and Benfica. He left the role after just over six months, citing 'personal reasons' and a desire to work in Europe. But McGuinness's next job turned out to be Stateside, as he agreed to a three-year contract with Charlotte Independence, making ex-Athletic Bilbao manager Félix Sarriugarte his number two. However, the coach's only spell as a manager in soccer turned out to be a disappointment — he was dismissed after one win in 14 games in the 2019 USL Championship season. Had things worked out differently, McGuinness might also have had a crack at the League of Ireland. According to a 2021 RTÉ Sport report, he was offered a short-term coaching role with Dundalk after Shane Keegan and Filippo Giovagnoli's departures, but was not keen on the temporary stint. It was around this time that McGuinness began working as part of the backroom team for Derry City's U19s side, a spell that was memorable for the Candystripes' 2021 Enda McGuill Cup triumph. This period coincided with Ruaidhrí Higgins becoming the senior manager of the Premier Division outfit. Higgins and McGuinness subsequently got to know each other better as they were part of the same FAI pro licence coaching course. Well-known names such as current Ireland assistant boss John O'Shea and ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini were also part of the graduating class of 2022. 'I wouldn't say we're best mates, but we get on quite well,' Higgins tells The 42 when asked about McGuinness. Ruaidhrí Higgins pictured during his time managing Derry City. Tom Maher / INPHO Tom Maher / INPHO / INPHO Higgins, who spent three and a half years in charge at Derry and is now manager of NIFL Premiership club Coleraine, was immediately impressed by the former and future Donegal boss. 'When he walks into the room, he grips you, doesn't he? And he's a very, very smart man, is what it would say. Advertisement 'I just admire what he's done. I suppose, when you look at what he inherited when he first took over, when he won his first All-Ireland, Donegal were in a really poor state. And within a few years, [what he achieved] is just incredible. 'How can you get such buy-in so quickly and then deliver? And it's kind of the same again, when he took over [for the second time in 2023], they weren't in great nick, and he saw real potential, and he's just an unbelievably driven individual. Again, he has back-to-back Ulsters, now with the potential of winning another All-Ireland. So you have to say that he's one of the greats in the game.' Ian Ryan, who currently manages Athlone Town, was also on that pro licence coaching course. 'He's a big man in stature; he has a presence and an aura about him,' says Ryan of McGuinness. 'But a really nice person. And then when he spoke about football, dressing rooms or culture, he made a lot of sense. 'Other people on the course, particularly the Irish lads, would know each other through the League of Ireland circles. Jim's not in that circle. But he mixed really well and was very popular with us.' Despite McGuinness being a relative outsider, Ryan says there was no sense of suspicion or resentment within the group of a man known primarily for his GAA feats. 'It wasn't mentioned at all, really. If anything, we would probe him and ask about the differences with the dressing room or driving training. 'There's similarity, as in, Jim would be big on setting the culture, setting the tone early, and making demands of people, and everybody is clearly defining the boundaries that it's black and white — what's acceptable, and what's not acceptable. He would apply that to the GAA dressing room as well as his work coaching in football. 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You'd feel like running through a brick wall for him there in the hotel room, you can see how he captures people and has a hold of them. 'Even listening to him in the [recent] interviews, it brings back memories of hearing him talk. But his motivation to galvanise a group, I would say, is a massive skill. 'And then, he would know his football inside out. He'd be big on the numbers game, as in, if we press with four, then we've six behind. And the overloads that you can gain. And he would break the game down into numbers.' Former Bray Wanderers boss Ryan cites McGuinness' focus on repetition and simplicity as another reason for his success. 'The one thing that stands out to me is he used to say that: 'There's a need for the sexy drills.' But the bit for him was to do the simple things quicker and faster for a longer time. 'I saw a clip there recently. It might have been the [All-Ireland] semi-final of them warming up when it looked like they were there on a basic hand pass drill. But the speed and intensity of that was off the charts. 'And I remember him saying that at the start, in his first night with Donegal, they did the drills for whatever, 30 seconds flat out, and they're on their hands and knees, and he's like: 'Now we're going to do that for 70 odd minutes.' 'And just the fact that I saw that video recently just reminded me that that's the only thing that increases: 'Can you do it quicker? Can you do it faster, more and more and more intentionally and then execute the skill at the same time?' And that's exactly what they were doing in that warm-up.' McGuinness even helped Higgins during some of the more difficult periods when he was managing Derry. In 2023, when the Candystripes were on a bad run domestically, Higgins invited McGuinness into camp to present a psychology workshop for the players. 'He had the room in the palm of his hand,' Higgins recalls. 'And I'm not saying it was that alone, but there was an upturn in our form very soon after it. And people would [regularly] reference that meeting. But not only is he brilliant from a psychology point of view, as a coach, he is phenomenal as well, because he can see [the strengths and weakneesses] with every opposition, he comes up with a plan, very methodical, and you would have to say, in Gaelic terms, he is a bit of a genius.' Higgins continues: 'He's so into the collective. If anybody steps outside of the group, then it's all about the group and the team. 'No matter how talented you are as an individual, if you're not going in the direction of everyone else, then forget about it. The team will be successful. 'So, just the togetherness that he tries to create, and the culture and the work ethic are phenomenal.' Celtic coaches Tommy McIntyre (left) and Jim McGuinness pictured in 2016. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo It also says a lot that in one of his most difficult moments as Derry manager, it was McGuinness that Higgins turned to. 'I'll be honest with you. We were bottom of the league [at Derry] when I took over, and we ended up in Europe. But there was a pivotal game that year at home to St Pat's. I'll never forget it. 'I couldn't settle all day. Obviously, I was new to the job and a new manager. It was all new to me, and I was very anxious and worrying about everything. 'And I actually rang Jim, and I said: 'Jim, I'm on edge here. I'm really worried.' And then he started asking me questions: 'Have you covered this? Have you covered this? Have you covered this?' And basically, simplified it for me, just to reassure me that: 'No, you'll be alright. You've covered all the bases, all the angles.' 'And I felt a lot more settled after that conversation. He gave me 15-20 minutes of his time, and I was really settled. And after that, we ended up getting a great 1-0 win at home. He definitely had a part to play.' 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Shearer's six-word Evan Ferguson remark speaks volumes as he admits his surprise
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The 42
7 hours ago
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Holders England and World Cup champions Spain renew rivalry on Europe's biggest stage
AFTER THREE WEEKS of thrills, spills, marathon matches and dramatic penalties, it all comes down to this. Euro 2025 will be decided in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final at St Jakob-Park, Basel. It's England versus Spain, the European champions versus the world champions. The decider most people predicted. The one many wanted. A blockbuster awaits. The Lionesses are looking to retain their title after home success in 2022. Sarina Wiegman's side are gearing up for their third consecutive major final, the Dutch manager set for her fifth in a row after also managing her native Netherlands. Spain, the favourites for this tournament from the outset, are in their first Euros final. They came through just their second-ever semi-final, having failed to reach that stage since 1997. England ended their Euro 2022 bid in the quarter-finals after, you guessed it, extra-time. Both semis this time around went the distance, stopping just short of penalty shootouts. Tight, tense affairs like these are decided by a moment of magic, a lapse in concentration, or a stroke of luck. Spain's was predominantly the former, as back to back Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati stepped up in the 113th minute against Germany. La Roja had huffed and puffed all night, before Bonmati brilliance downed the eight-time champions. Advertisement She cleverly let a ball from Athenea del Castillo run through her legs and turned on a sixpence, before catching the heroic Ann-Katrin Berger out at her near-post with a superb first-time finish from the tightest of angles. Just like England the night before, Spain found a way. The defending champions trailed Italy 1-0 until the 96th minute, when breakout star Michelle Agyemang drilled home to force extra time. In the additional period it was more so a stroke of luck or a lapse in concentration, as England won a penalty many will feel was soft, and Chloe Kelly's initial effort was saved before she turned in the rebound. Like three years ago, extra-time and super substitutes have been common themes for Wiegman's side. England celebrate Euro 2022 success. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Their build-up was far from ideal, with upheaval aplenty as Mary Earps, Millie Bright and Fran Kirby stepped away for various different reasons. Going from the frying pan into the fire in the Group of Death, they started on a losing note with a 2-1 defeat to France. They bounced back by thumping the Netherlands and Wales 4-0 and 6-1 — the latter result particularly impressive — before an epic quarter-final fightback against Sweden. The Lionesses trailed 2-0 as the 8oth minute approached, before Lucy Bronze and Agyemang forced extra-time and possibly the best, worst penalty shootout in history. Spain, meanwhile, have kept a 100% record. They generally coasted through their group with wins over Portugal (5-0), Belgium (6-2) and Italy (3-1), before beating hosts Switzerland 2-0 in the quarter-final and eventually seeing off Germany. Montse Tomé's side have scored the most goals in the tournament, bettering England by two with 17, and at their best, their attack is frightening. Esther González is leading the Golden Boot race with four goals, while Alexia Putellas is just behind on three — and four assists — after a stunning tournament. Another two-time Ballon d'Or winner, Putellas had a quiet semi-final so expect her to explode to life again on the biggest stage. Then you have Claudia Pina, Mariona Caldentey, Vicky Lopez, Salma Parauello . . . the list goes on and on. Fluid and fluent, Spain have been the best team to watch by far, but England will be looking to disrupt their rhythm like Germany did. Both sides have experienced defensive woes. England have been unsettled, with captain Leah Williamson the one constant at centre-back. Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood have alternated between the middle and the shaky left side, while Carter was dropped for Esme Morgan for the semi-final. Spain have been similarly exposed, carved open by Belgium and Switzerland at times, while the suspended Laia Aleixandri was a big loss the last day. Goalkeepers Cata Coll and Hannah Hampton will be high on confidence after both producing huge double saves late on in the semi-finals, while the midfield battle will be a sight to behold: Bonmati and Patri versus Kiera Walsh and Georgia Stanway. Alexia Putellas celebrates with the 2023 World Cup. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Lauren James is an injury doubt for England after her half-time withdrawal against Italy. While her X-Factor would be missed, the Lionesses have no shortage of attacking talent in Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone, and Agyemang. Spain and England have developed a fascinating rivalry of late. It's 1-1 in 2025 so far: England winning 1-0 in the Nations League at Wembley, before Spain came from behind to triumph 2-1 in Barcelona. But the 2023 World Cup final was the standout, Spain winning 1-0 after Olga Carmona's first-half goal in a dominant showing. The historic victory was overshadowed by the Luis Rubiales kiss and the scandal which followed. Spain will be motivated to leave that in the past as they aim for success free of controversy. A Barca back-boned squad will also have revenge on their minds. Their Champions League final defeat to Arsenal — who had several English players in their ranks — will have hurt. But like Arsenal in Europe, who didn't know how to lose and enjoyed epic fightbacks, England cannot be written off. Anything could happen. Expect more thrills and spills, potentially another marathon match, and perhaps even more dramatic penalties in a Basel blockbuster. Today – England v Spain, Euro 2025 final, 5pm – RTÉ Two
