Leauge importance?

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by mars

There was a time that the only way to actually get to play in the Champions league which was then called the European Cup was that you had to win your own domestic league first to qualify.

Then the prestige was that you were champions of your own country and then champions of Europe.

Now upto 4 teams from each country can play in it so the prestige is not so great.

I fully and totally agree with this statement. I think since UEFA allowed a max of 4 teams for the high-ranked countries, it devaluated the Champions League. It is all about money and favouring the big football money generating nations, hence England, Italy, Spain, Germany and France. They are interesting for UEFA and the rest is like excess luggage.

The Champions league should be for champions and the defending title holder.

Moreover, the current set-up favours those countries (having 4 participants) with larger populations and hence more TV-rights money, amongst others. Therefore the teams from these countries (especially English, Italilan and Spanish) have most of the money and hence can afford to buy the best players.
Look at the list of recent winners. Mostly it are now teams from the above mentioned countries.

Teams from other countries can only win if they have the luck of having a year with a great generation of good young players (like Ajax Amsterdam in 1995) or luck with the draw.

In my opinion, the Champions League should go back to it's original format of a real leugaue of champions and not accept the numbers 2, 3 and 4 of some leagues.

[Hoopy Frood]

Isn't it because of the riches in the Champions League that the greedy rich established clubs in the CL wanted a new "Super League" to become richer still?
Aren't they supposed to be playing the game to entertain the fans that pay to watch them & buy "official merchandise" instead of what we can get in in LOS?

[Captain]

Originally Posted by Nanook

I fully and totally agree with this statement. I think since UEFA allowed a max of 4 teams for the high-ranked countries, it devaluated the Champions League. It is all about money and favouring the big football money generating nations, hence England, Italy, Spain, Germany and France. They are interesting for UEFA and the rest is like excess luggage.

The Champions league should be for champions and the defending title holder.

Moreover, the current set-up favours those countries (having 4 participants) with larger populations and hence more TV-rights money, amongst others. Therefore the teams from these countries (especially English, Italilan and Spanish) have most of the money and hence can afford to buy the best players.
Look at the list of recent winners. Mostly it are now teams from the above mentioned countries.

Teams from other countries can only win if they have the luck of having a year with a great generation of good young players (like Ajax Amsterdam in 1995) or luck with the draw.

In my opinion, the Champions League should go back to it's original format of a real leugaue of champions and not accept the numbers 2, 3 and 4 of some leagues.

Originally Posted by Captain

That is correct. They changed the formula so that small countries have no chance to win it. Big countries clubs with big money (also through TV income) can send 4 teams. Also the system of 4 teams in a group makes it more difficult for an outsider to go through by eliminating a big name in a home- and away-match.
My team succeeded in playing the final of the EUFA-cup and Eoropa cup in the 70's (I think 76 and 78). They lost both times to Liverpool after eliminating teams like Milan and Real Madrid. But this is no more possible for small teams.

Same same.

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by Captain

Same same.

Yes, we are exactly on the same line here.

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by Dodger

Thats rubbish Captain, they changed it because small countries clubs are just not good enough, the number of entries is strictly in line with the quality of the football played within the league. I cannot even name 4 Belgian teams, so what draw would they be to the viewing public?? what chance would they have of competing with any of the top sides from Italy, Spain, England?? the one league winning side getting in to either the European Cup or Uefa Cup and doing well is 'no chance'.

I totally agree with their inclusion but in reality the top 8 sides in the EPL etc are better than these winning clubs from small leagues. So doesn't it make common sense to include 4 from the EPL and only one from say Austria or Finland?? When the likes of Barcelona or Man Utd play these lesser teams it is humiliating for them and worthless because the small countries have no realistic chance!!

Today I read the complete thread and ventilated the same comment as Captain.
I am afraid Dodger, that your remark (in red) is rubbish! We are a small country. 40,000 sq. km and 16.3 mio people.
In the 50 year history of the European Cup 1, which was succeeded with the Champions League, Dutch teams won 6 times. Ajax 4 times, PSV and Feijenoord each 1 time. Besides these wins, Ajax lost the finals 2 more times (one against a heavily doped Juventus). Moreover, Dutch teams reached e.g. the quarter and semi finals on numerous occasions.

Yes, our league is small, but our stadiums are very often full. Ajax e.g. has an average number of 49,000 people coming to the stadium. Yes, all our top players move to the premier league, Italy or Spain, as they make more money there. As a result of these higher salaries they can play in stronger competitions. Worldwide the above leagues are seen as the top leagues. I think it is fair to say that they are followed by the leagues in France, Germany, Holland and Portugal IMHO.

Money is ruling the game of football. Not only within UEFA but definately also within FIFA. These orgamizing bodies have too much to gain when the big countries (Brazil, Italy, France, the bl.. Germans, Argentina) become world champs and/or win the main cups.

That is also why the new ideas of Michel Platini (UEFA chairman)to reorganize the Champions League will be a desaster for European club footbal as once again the big nations get all the advantages.