If I can persuade the landlord of the
Boot and Shoe to switch on the Europa League matches this evening, I
may watch Tottenham play the well known Azerbaijani Champions,
Qarabag FK, in a Europan league tie. Qarabag are known as the
Horsemen. You may already see where this is going, Tottenham will
have to dig their Spurs in......
Playing in the Topaz Premyer Liqasi
which was formed in 2007, Qarabag now plays in a stadium of 5,800
seats in the capital Baku. The club used to be located in Agdam but
due to the war and the intervention of Armenia, it moved to the relative safety of Baku. (see map please)
It is the third time the team has won
the premier title and Qarabag is the first team to reach the Europa
League Play Offs. Average league crowds in the country range between
1,000 to 2,200, so if there is a full stadium tonight, it might be a
national record.
Topaz is a betting operator and the
company has invested in the league since 2007. Prior to that
(1992-07) the league was known as the Professional Footballers'
League and the change in “ownership” has given the clubs more
independence, apparently.
Qarabag is known as the “Barcelona of
the Caucasus”, since they play so technically, which may create a
few problems for the Spurs-doubtful. This notoriety and the fact that
they are the national champions, has enabled the club to be included
in the simulation game “Pro Evolution Soccer 2015”.
The most successful club in the
national league is Netfchi Baku, winners of the league title 8 times.
Azerbaijan is ranked 110th
in FIFA and has played international football since 1912.
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