Dark Munster

Yes, should be a cracker.

Thanks CB, let me take it from here. If we lose to Arsenal in the FA Cup final this season we will qualify for Europa, provided Arsenal have qualified for the CL.

The second was a stonewall penalty today. Bloody Kevin Friend.

Saints 0 Kevin Friend 2 Worst. Refereeing. Ever.

I've heard a rumour about a massive injection of cash coming next season ... £100 million or more. Along with a possible consortium takeover. Anyway, enough about us. Have the fishy few found the missing £3000 yet? Must be a bit of a worry for them.

However, if the FA Cup winning team has also qualified for the following season's Champions League, then the losing FA Cup finalist is given the Europa League place instead. From the 2015/16 season, UEFA will not allow the runners-up to qualify for the Europa League through the competition.

So we're the bald, fat guy with a stunner of a woman.

Yes. Yes we do. When does the transfer window close?

Shame Spurs will benefit in the final.

That's ok, let it all out.

So we all agree that this year's runner up qualifies for Europa if the winner qualifies for the CL?

Me too. It's going to be difficult to get a result at the Nou Camp.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/9723485/southampton-v-liverpool-xi-phil-thompson-and-matt-le-tissier-call-it Phil Thompson and MLT come up with a combined Liverhampton team. Probably to help Brenda in the next transfer window.

This could be wrong (they claim the change is next season). If so, who will volunteer to correct it? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FA_Cup European qualification[edit] The FA Cup winners qualify for the following season's UEFA Europa League (formerly named the UEFA Cup; until 1998 they entered the Cup Winners' Cup instead). This European place applies even if the team is relegated or is not in the English top flight. However, if the FA Cup winning team has also qualified for the following season's Champions League, then the losing FA Cup finalist is given the Europa League place instead. FA Cup winners enter the Europa League at the Group Stage. Losing finalists, if they enter the Europa League, must begin earlier, at the play-off or Q3 stage.[11] From the 2015/16 season, UEFA will not allow the runners-up to qualify for the Europa League through the competition.[12]

This year the runner up gets into Europe ONLY if the winner has qualified for the Champions League (not Europa). Next year, the runner up can't qualify for Europe.

[h=3]European qualification[edit][/h]The FA Cup winners qualify for the following season's UEFA Europa League (formerly named the UEFA Cup; until 1998 they entered the Cup Winners' Cup instead). This European place applies even if the team is relegated or is not in the English top flight. However, if the FA Cup winning team has also qualified for the following season's Champions League, then the losing FA Cup finalist is given the Europa League place instead. FA Cup winners enter the Europa League at the Group Stage. Losing finalists, if they enter the Europa League, must begin earlier, at the play-off or Q3 stage.[11] From the 2015/16 season, UEFA will not allow the runners-up to qualify for the Europa League through the competition.[12]

I've just googled this, and unfortunately the rule change (FA cup runners up not getting a Europa spot) only becomes effective next season (2015-16). Sorry chaps. Of course, if we finish 3rd/4th, and Spurs/Liverpool lose out as a result, all's well that ends well.

Not any more.

As hilarious as a ManU loss would be, a draw tonight and a win for them after extra time in the replay is better for us. Apart from the extra games, it makes it less likely a lower placed team takes a Europa spot. Edit: Good, they've equalised.

No way. The best chance for a top 4 PL finish since, well, forever. And if we don't make it, what's the worst that can happen, 6th or 7th? Hardly the end of the world.

"... their spectacular self destruction and our coterminous rise to the Champions League spots in the Premier League." This thread never fails to delight.

Not bad for a team in fourth.

Yes. Yes it is.

Very good bus-parkery by Wham. Pele has lost his confidence. I just hope we can get another front man before the January window closes.