The Great Liechtenstein Challenge - FC Balzers - Football Manager Stories - FM20

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

08 Apr 2020 18:39:26

The aim of this challenge is to conquer the world with both FC Balzers and Liechtenstein by ultimately winning the Champions League with the club and the World Cup with the country.

For those unfamiliar with the challenge, it is based on the old San Marino Challenge but rather than being based in Italy, it is based in the Swiss football league system as that is where all Liechtenstein clubs play their football. Most people try this challenge with Vaduz who are in the 2nd tier and already professional, FC Balzers are a semi-professional team in the 4th tier.

2 reasons why this is HARDER than the San Marino Challenge:
1. The only way you can qualify for the Champions League is by winning the Europa League as only Swiss based clubs are allowed to qualify for Europe through league position. Winning the Liechtenstein Cup puts 1 club into the Europa League First Qualifying Round.
2. Being based in Switzerland, the profile of the league is much lower than in Italy. Therefore developing a club that can win the Champions League is much harder to do here. Less money, less reputation etc.

I will be posting updates on YouTube and doing live streams on Twitch for this career...a first for me!

Part 1 - The Welcome

syemo

13 years ago

4 years ago

136

09 Apr 2020 18:57:32

Will be keeping an interest in this, ive just got to the end of the first season with FC Vaduz and might do it as a youth only challenge. Haven't fully made my decision which way to go in season 2 just yet. I've never had luck with custom databases before so kept with the default game.

After starting the save i have read that FC Vaduz can't qualify through the swiss league and even if they win the europa im not sure they get into the champions league. As Leichenstein dont have a entry into the Champions league. Not sure if this is 100% try or not.

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

10 Apr 2020 16:39:09

By syemo | On 09 April 2020 - 18:57 PM UTC

Will be keeping an interest in this, ive just got to the end of the first season with FC Vaduz and might do it as a youth only challenge. Haven't fully made my decision which way to go in season 2 just yet. I've never had luck with custom databases before so kept with the default game.

After starting the save i have read that FC Vaduz can't qualify through the swiss league and even if they win the europa im not sure they get into the champions league. As Leichenstein dont have a entry into the Champions league. Not sure if this is 100% try or not.

FC Vaduz are decent, hope Goppel and Wieser are doing well for you, they are so key to my National Team! Noah Frick too!

That's correct, Liechtenstein clubs cannot qualify for Europe through league position, they are basically guests in the Swiss league (you do get the prize money though). I know someone who did the challenge on FM18 or 19 and they said they got to the semi finals of the Champions League and qualified for that by winning the Europa, so it is possible.

I believe one of the developers were asked the question on a forum a year or two ago and they also confirmed that if a Liechtenstein club wins the Europa League in game, they will go into the Champions League. IRL I don't believe it has actually been addressed because the likelihood is so small.

Good luck with your challenge though, feel free to keep me updated on here with how you get on!

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

10 Apr 2020 16:50:56

Ok so below is part 2 of my Great Liechtenstein Challenge. In this installment there is a quick update of how the season is going so far, we play our Liechtenstein Cup Quarter Final game against Triesenberg and our 13th league game of the season against Kosova ZH to take us to the halfway point of season one. Were the media right to predict that we would be in for a relegation battle or have we managed to cobble together a team that an compete?

Part 2 - S1 The Halfway Point

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

14 Apr 2020 12:12:45

In this episode we catch up on what happened in the January transfer window, we check out the youth intake, discuss some other club news and also play two HUGE games!

First up we have the Liechtenstein Cup Semi Final against the big boys, FC Vaduz. Can we beat the only professional club in Liechtenstein or have we finally met our match?

Following on from that we have the big local derby in the league against Eschen/Mauren. What could go wrong?

This is not an episode to miss (ok, I'm biased but still, its pretty action packed)

Part 3 - S1 The Cup Semi Final

syemo

13 years ago

4 years ago

136

15 Apr 2020 09:46:09

By StaticShift | On 10 April 2020 - 16:39 PM UTC

FC Vaduz are decent, hope Goppel and Wieser are doing well for you, they are so key to my National Team! Noah Frick too!

That's correct, Liechtenstein clubs cannot qualify for Europe through league position, they are basically guests in the Swiss league (you do get the prize money though). I know someone who did the challenge on FM18 or 19 and they said they got to the semi finals of the Champions League and qualified for that by winning the Europa, so it is possible.

I believe one of the developers were asked the question on a forum a year or two ago and they also confirmed that if a Liechtenstein club wins the Europa League in game, they will go into the Champions League. IRL I don't believe it has actually been addressed because the likelihood is so small.

Good luck with your challenge though, feel free to keep me updated on here with how you get on!

That's good news if that happens, if it didnt i still would have carried on with the save anyhow. I looked in the game at coefficients and i saw Liechtenstein didnt have any for champions league and knew they didnt have a professional league so thought they couldnt qualify.

I havent progressed any further at present will be getting back into the save hopefully this week been going back to my fm17 save recently.

Nearly caught up on your progress, is that a custom database to get the lower tiers?

Goppel has done okay, he got injured for quite a bit of the first season. Ive tried training him to play DM role as well but he hasn't taken too lightly to that. Weiser since beginning of the save has had a promise to sell him so not sure if i can keep him or not. But Jens Hofer and Lukas Graber has been two youngsters that have performed well in the first season especially graber he looks like he could be a key youth in the vaduz squad at present.
Frick im hoping a year or so to develop whilst getting as much playing time as i can afford him to. Sele has played most games too. Trying to keep the core of the squad as Leichenstein haven't decided yet whether to open up to buy anyone yet or just use this as a youth save.

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

15 Apr 2020 12:16:08

By syemo | On 15 April 2020 - 09:46 AM UTC

That's good news if that happens, if it didnt i still would have carried on with the save anyhow. I looked in the game at coefficients and i saw Liechtenstein didnt have any for champions league and knew they didnt have a professional league so thought they couldnt qualify.

I havent progressed any further at present will be getting back into the save hopefully this week been going back to my fm17 save recently.

Nearly caught up on your progress, is that a custom database to get the lower tiers?

Goppel has done okay, he got injured for quite a bit of the first season. Ive tried training him to play DM role as well but he hasn't taken too lightly to that. Weiser since beginning of the save has had a promise to sell him so not sure if i can keep him or not. But Jens Hofer and Lukas Graber has been two youngsters that have performed well in the first season especially graber he looks like he could be a key youth in the vaduz squad at present.
Frick im hoping a year or so to develop whilst getting as much playing time as i can afford him to. Sele has played most games too. Trying to keep the core of the squad as Leichenstein haven't decided yet whether to open up to buy anyone yet or just use this as a youth save.

Oh nice. I have pinched Manuel Mikus and Noah Graber off Vaduz in my save on free transfers. Goppel always seems to struggle with fitness for the NT too, can't seem to play two games in a week!

It is a Custom DB yeah, its the one by JBZ which goes to the 7th tier. I just loaded up 5 tiers though for this.

Wieser getting too big for his boots eh? Any sign of promotion or you consolidating for now? I know the Challenge League is a tough one to conquer.

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

15 Apr 2020 12:20:16

It's part 4 and in this one we round up what happened in the first season of this Liechtenstein Challenge. Were we able to lift the Liechtenstein Cup and qualify for the Europa League? Could we come through the Promotion Playoff to take us to tier 3? And are my board of directors getting too big for their boots?

This episode also covers off our pre-season transfer activity for season 2 and the first league game of the new season as well as a quick roundup of the National Team progress.

Part 4 - S2 The Board Expects

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

17 Apr 2020 12:16:19

In this episode we reach the halfway point of season 2! Tune in to find out which Liechtenstein legend has signed for the club, see the live draw for the cup semi final and watch us travel away from home to play current table toppers, Chiasso!

There is also a short National Team update and a look at the sorry state of affairs at Vaduz!

Part 5 - S2 A National Legend Joins

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

21 Apr 2020 16:08:08

In Part 6 we review season 2 where we managed to hold our nerve for the league and cup double! We look at some new signings, a few departures, success with the national team and review the upcoming season in tier 2. Then...the big one... our first ever match in European Competition... but is it what we expected? Did this challenge just get even HARDER?!

Part 6 - S2/3 Doing The Double

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

26 Apr 2020 10:22:17

In this latest update we are just over halfway through our third season and it is all still to play for as we continue our journey up the leagues with FC Balzers.

Watch this update to see our brand new signing, 16 year old regen, Noah Kottelat, high hopes for him! We also take a look the national team where we secured our best result yet! Finally we play a Challenge League match against Rapperswil.

Part 7 - S3 In The Hunt

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

01 May 2020 10:43:19

Well season 3 is over and I don't think it will come as a spoiler to you all to learn that it is the first season of this career that we haven't won a promotion. In part 8 we wrap up the season, review the ups and downs and get a little bit angry at the chairman meddling in our affairs. We also give the National Team some air time as we play our second game of the UEFA Nations League away at Hungary with a young 16 year old making his international debut.

We also briefly look ahead to next season and take a look at the progress of Vaduz and Eschen/Mauren.

Part 8 - S3 The Chairman Intervenes

Now available in HD!

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

04 May 2020 10:19:58

In Part 9 we take a look at how the early part of season 4 has gone in what is looking like a very close league table. We delve into the summer signings that were made to strengthen the side and look at our attacking players and their recent form with absolute delight.

We then play against promotion chasing Aarau who traditionally we have struggled against having only beaten them once in five meetings so far.

With a third of the season complete is this Balzers team the best it has ever been?

Part 9 - S4 A Flying Start

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

09 May 2020 15:31:44

Here we are at part 10 already and we mark this episode with some huge news for the club and the long term prospects of this career. We managed to win the Challenge League in season 4 and so we take a peak back at that and all the things that have happened at the club since then. We look forward to our first season in the Swiss Super League, look at some great new signings and some very recognisable faces that have joined the coaching department.

We also play a big game against an overseas team, what could that possibly mean?!

The developments have been plentiful and so there is information a plenty in this milestone episode so it is one that you definitely don't want to miss!

Part 10 - S5 A New Chapter

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

15 May 2020 12:26:55

We have reached the halfway point of season 5 and as it's winter break time, we take a look back at the season so far, our first ever season in the Swiss Super League. From disastrous starts, conceding late and struggling to navigate life with the smallest wage budget in the league to historic results and an amazing coaching team. We have it all covered in this episode in what has been a rollercoaster of a season so far.

We watch the highlights from what is the best result of the save so far, swing by the National Side, Vaduz and Eschen/Mauren to view their progress and contemplate what the rest of the season may hold for my FC Balzers side.

Part 11 - S5 Finding Our Feet

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

17 May 2020 10:58:56

In part 12 we play the final game of our first ever season in the Swiss Super League against Lugano. Have we been relegated? Have we avoided the drop? Or do we have a relegation/promotion playoff around the corner? We also find out how the Liechtenstein Cup went and whether we will have European Football in season 6.

One thing is certain, season 5, whatever the outcome, has been an emotional rollercoaster with some amazing highs (beating Basel 3-0 at home as we saw in part 11) and some terrible lows (injuries, suspensions, relegation scrap). I guess that is what makes Football Manager 2020 so addictive right?

Part 12 - S5 An Emotional Rollercoaster

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

20 May 2020 10:42:13

After avoiding relegation in season 5, we check in to see our early progress in season 6. After a significant budget increase we take a look at some of our key summer recruits, check out our progress in the Europa Conference League (or whatever it is called) and we have a home game against Servette in the Swiss Super League.

It's all change at FC Balzers with a number of new signings including a former England international, a regen who looks to be a star of the North Macedonia NT and a couple of signings from arch-rivals, Vaduz.

Part 13 - S6 Dizzy Heights

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

26 May 2020 15:44:55

Season 6 has finished and in part 14 we find out just how we got on in our second ever season in the Swiss Super League and how we fared in the Liechtenstein Cup that we attempt to win for the third year in a row. We also look at a new signing, the son of a former Barcelona player, ponder our plans for next season and look at a couple of players set to leave the club.

This is followed by an international game against Georgia at home. Surely a winnable match and one that we need to target if we want to move the National Team forward in the same way that the club side have been.

Part 14 - S6 The Best of the Rest

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

30 May 2020 12:52:00

In part 15 of this Football Manager 2020 challenge that I call home there is a lot to cover. We review our league and European form so far in season 7. Although the league form may leave a little to be desired (is third season syndrome a thing?) we are having a European adventure that we can never forget. We look back on what surely goes down as the biggest result in FC Balzers history... maybe even the biggest result in the history of ANY Liechtenstein club.

We also play a tough league game away at title chasing Young Boys and review a couple of very interesting new signings. First up, a former Premier League winner and ex-Man City player, then a former Serie A goalkeeper with more experience than I can shake a stick at!

Part 15 - S7 A European Adventure

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

05 Jun 2020 13:24:54

In this latest episode of The Great Liechtenstein Challenge we have a lot of things to cover as season 7 has been... eventful so far. We take a look at our less than desirable league campaign and the players that will be leaving in the summer as we plan a clear out. We also look at our AMAZING form in the Europa Conference League and ponder what the future may hold in that tournament.

We have a Super League match against Basel which we cover in this episode and we look at a couple of new signings and a key player who left the club after two and a half seasons to join Villarreal!

Part 16 - S7 Going Big In Europe

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

12 Jun 2020 11:19:34

Following season 7 where we played 59 competitive fixtures it was clear that we needed to improve not only the starting 11, but the squad as a whole. In part 17 we take you over the highs and lows of season 7 and take a look at the new signings that have come in to drive the club forward.

Gone are some of the familiar players and in are some new faces including a Switzerland international legend. We also review our current season 8 progress including the Europa Conference League.

There is also a Swiss Super League match against St. Gallen to enjoy!

Part 17 - S8 Changing of the Guard

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

19 Jun 2020 14:18:37

It's part 18 and there is so much to cover in this episode including our first league match of season 9 away to Sion. We also review how season 8 went as we were in the hunt for three trophies. We take a look at some new signings, including a former Liverpool and England man and some departures including a huge player for us.

There is also time to swing by the manager profile page for the first time, take a look at a few new staff members, the finances of the club and how the facility upgrades are going. Like I said, plenty to cover in just 1 video!

Part 18 - S9 Clinical Finishing

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

24 Jun 2020 15:13:49

In part 19 of The Great Liechtenstein Challenge we play TWO matches! First up is a Europa Conference League group match against Club Brugge. Second we have a league game away at Servette which will take us up to the half way point of the season. Not to do too much of a spoiler alert but there are goals galore in this episode!

Part 19 - S9 Goals Galore

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

01 Jul 2020 13:23:39

It's part 20 of The Great Liechtenstein Challenge where I hope to celebrate a decade in charge of FC Balzers with a successful tenth season. In this episode we take a look back at season 9 and just how close we came to winning every competition we were in. We also look at two or three big name departures and a few exciting arrivals. We contemplate what the season may hold and also take a look at a few players we are still trying to sign!

Season 10 is then kicked off with the first game of the season, a Super League match at home to Zurich with a few of those new signings on display.

Part 20 - S10 Edging Closer

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

07 Jul 2020 17:13:54

In Part 21 of this Great Liechtenstein Challenge we kick off by looking at the form of the club side, FC Balzers, as we hit the halfway point of the season. We also take a look at some new signings and two huge departures for differing reasons.

Following our review of the situation with the club side, we turn our attention to the national team where we play Andorra in a UEFA Nations League Promotion/Relegation Playoff fixture!

Part 21 - S10 Is History Repeating

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

15 Jul 2020 11:14:17

It's part 22 of The Great Liechtenstein Challenge and we start a brand new decade. We have been with the club for 10 years and are looking to kick off season 11 in style. This video features the opening match of the season against St. Gallen.

Before that we take a look at how season 10 went for the club, the signings we have made (and missed out on), a facilities check and say goodbye to one or two familiar faces.

Part 22 - S11 A New Decade

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

20 Jul 2020 09:47:19

It's almost the halfway point of season 11 and we take a look at how the rest of the summer transfer window went, including a record signing for £6.5m and a record sale as we lose a key player for £21m.

We then turn our attention to the final game before the winter break, a Super League match against Winterthur. Can we top the table going into the break?

Part 23 - S11 Maybe This Time

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

22 Jul 2020 11:01:07

It's part 24 and there is plenty to cover. We start by taking a look at a heartbreaking season 11 but then turn our attention to the optimism of season 12. We review some new signings and a couple of new additions to the coaching team. There has also been a takeover. What does that mean for the club?

We then take a quick check on the facilities and finances before kicking off season 12 away to Lausanne in the Swiss Super League.

Part 24 - S12 Perennial Bridesmaids

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

29 Jul 2020 09:17:42

In part 25 of The Great Liechtenstein Challenge we take a look at our form in season 12 as we approach the end of the season, to find out whether it may be our year. There is then a lot to cover in what has been a very eventful season so far.

We check out which players left the club (including two joining Real Madrid) causing us to bring in around £60m in transfer fees and who their replacements are. We also take a look at our coaching staff, including a new assistant manager, the facilities, our recent youth intake and the finances of the club.

There is also time to swing by the National Team to see whether Liechtenstein are starting to make waves on the international scene and who our most important players are.

Part 25 - S12 Transfer Activity

StaticShift

4 years ago

1 year ago

124

03 Aug 2020 12:03:52

In part 26 we have the biggest news of the challenge so far! In season 12, we won the treble! We look back on the remarkable season where we lifted the trophies of the Swiss Super League, Europa Conference League and Liechtenstein Cup. We take a look at the goals that won FC Balzers their first ever European competition with a victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

We then take a look at what that success means for season 13. We review the players that have joined and left, a new manager of our B team (a French legend no less) and then we finish up by playing Liechtenstein vs Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Part 26 - S13 Treble Winners

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