The Europa League

Brad · 26th September 2008, 12:22

Uefa making the big, difficult decisions chaging the fundimentals of the game for the better I see...

Uefa Cup gets new name in revamp

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...pe/7637600.stm

The Uefa Cup is to be renamed the Uefa Europa League from next season, with the competition set to be extended.

The new-look league will have 48 clubs in 12 groups of four, with teams playing each other home and away as opposed to just once as it stands now.

The top two in each group then join the eight third-placed Champions League clubs in a 32-club knock-out stage.

However, under the new format beaten cup finalists will no longer qualify for the competition.

Millwall and West Ham have both qualified as beaten FA Cup runners-up in recent years, but Uefa say this will no longer be the case, even if the winners have already qualified for the Champions League.

The competition will also have its TV rights sold centrally, in the same way as the Champions League, which should increase income to clubs.

"I am convinced the new format will give the Uefa Europa League a successful new impetus," said Uefa president Michel Platini.

"These changes will improve this historic competition, which is very important for Uefa and for European football as it gives more fans, players and clubs the thrill of European club football."

A statement on the Uefa website adds: "The new name and logo will help underline the tournament's special character and unique sporting appeal.

"Uefa's ambition in making these changes is to rejuvenate the competition in the light of the new European football landscape, which has shifted significantly with the continued success of the Champions League, so that the Uefa Europa League can establish itself as a major competition."

Collina · 26th September 2008, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

However, under the new format beaten cup finalists will no longer qualify for the competition.

That's not good for the cup competitions. So I think this is bad news.

Brad · 26th September 2008, 12:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Collina

That's not good for the cup competitions. So I think this is bad news.

Does the place go to the next in line according to league standings then? Could arguably see England sending stronger representation. And to be honest, why does a team that failed to win the cup, and failed to finish high enough to qualify through the league, deserve to be competing in Europe anyway?

That said, you'll still have that nonsense fair play league qualifying shite teams into Europe...

Wes · 26th September 2008, 12:34

re-brand, nothing else.

Gio · 26th September 2008, 12:56

Groups of 4 and top two qualifying is better than the existing system of 3/5 qualifying.

Cornell · 26th September 2008, 13:02

Europa League sounds stupid. The problem is, it is a second tier competition no matter what they call it.

Cling Bak · 26th September 2008, 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

The top two in each group then join the eight third-placed Champions League clubs in a 32-club knock-out stage.

This, for me, is the crappest rule of them. Once eliminated from Champions League, you should be eliminated from European competition! Out. Goodbye. Go home. Ridiculous in my opinion.

They're also changing the European Championships supposedly, from 16 to 24 teams. WHY?!?!?!? The 16 team format works so well. It's the correct number for groups and knock-out stages and it's not too many teams that there's dead-weights in there. Plus, 24 teams just doesn't work. It means making it a silly format as we've seen with some World Cups of the past.

Good old UEFA.

Solius · 26th September 2008, 13:11

Sounds shit.

Brad · 26th September 2008, 13:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cling Bak

This, for me, is the crappest rule of them. Once eliminated from Champions League, you should be eliminated from European competition! Out. Goodbye. Go home. Ridiculous in my opinion

Ay, I agree. I think its fair that in the final qualifying round, teams knocked out are granted entry to the Eufa Cup. But once you've played 6 games of a European competition proper, and you weren't good enough to progress, its just tough crap

But then they know they have a weak proposition if they don't, because so many of the top teams can qualify for the Champions League now, it doesn't leave much for the Uefa Cup. You can gaurentee at least one or two 'big name' teams will finish third in their Champions League groups, and it adds a little extra lustre to the final rounds of competition

Collina · 26th September 2008, 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

DAnd to be honest, why does a team that failed to win the cup, and failed to finish high enough to qualify through the league, deserve to be competing in Europe anyway?

I agree, but it's probably good for the national cup competitions.

Cling Bak · 26th September 2008, 13:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

Ay, I agree. I think its fair that in the final qualifying round, teams knocked out are granted entry to the Eufa Cup. But once you've played 6 games of a European competition proper, and you weren't good enough to progress, its just tough crap

But then they know they have a weak proposition if they don't, because so many of the top teams can qualify for the Champions League now, it doesn't leave much for the Uefa Cup. You can gaurentee at least one or two 'big name' teams will finish third in their Champions League groups, and it adds a little extra lustre to the final rounds of competition

Point taken, but then there are probably too many teams entering CL in the first place. I'm not sure I've got time for 3rd and 4th teams getting in.

Canuckred64 · 26th September 2008, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cling Bak

This, for me, is the crappest rule of them. Once eliminated from Champions League, you should be eliminated from European competition! Out. Goodbye. Go home. Ridiculous in my opinion.

Does seem to be rewarding failure. But I suppose it keeps the Champions League honest. Teams that have been eliminated or don't realistically have a chance to win the Champions League still have something to play for in the remaining games of the Group Stage.

Raven_Blade · 26th September 2008, 17:21

UEFA Champions League > UEFA Europa League

They are just trying to add some more glamour to it and can you blame them for trying?

Castolo · 26th September 2008, 17:30

In a breaking development, the new re-modelled Europa League trophy has been unveiled as a giant golden dildo, based on a cast of Michel Platini's erect member. Created by the Avant-garde French artist Jean-Marie Le Cock, the trophy stands 12ft high and includes hand-rails for the victorious captain to clamber up in excitement during the prize-giving ceremony. The UEFA President expressed his delight at the revamp, saying that has truly succeeded in stamping his authority on Europe's newest competition. More soon.

Number7 · 26th September 2008, 17:32

The only way to give this competition any sort of prestigue is if they let the winners into the following years CL.

gaffs · 26th September 2008, 17:41

You cant polish a turd.

spinoza · 26th September 2008, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaffs

You cant polish a turd.

indeed

forrie_x · 26th September 2008, 17:59

well, you think UEFA systems are bad, the Asian Football Confederation really like to confuse things...
7 groups of 4
only the top team qualifies, leaving the 7 top teams to playing in a knockout, alongside the defending champions- making 8 teams in the quarter finals.

basically the winners get a free ride to the quarters.
bisarre system.
i think it is being changed soon though.

Epic · 26th September 2008, 18:45

Just united the competitons to make a 60 odd team super league.

Steev · 26th September 2008, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

The competition will also have its TV rights sold centrally, in the same way as the Champions League, which should increase income to clubs.

How will this work, I wonder? Does this mean the rights to the whole tournament will go to the highest bidder? I suppose it could end up like the Champions League deal with two channels sharing the coverage like SKY and ITV. Or maybe Setanta will come in and buy the whole thing just for themselves...

RedRob · 27th September 2008, 01:35

To be fair, the current format is a bit shite.

The 5 teams in each group, playing each other once (either home or away) - is it still that style?

Get rid of it!

England1966 · 27th September 2008, 02:16

Milan will fight for it!

vijay · 27th September 2008, 10:04

UEFA cups used to be more prestigious and difficult to win than the old European cup but with CL around, changing the name and other shite wont really work out in draggin them out of the garderobe.

The best solution is to haul out the entire format, let the losing quarterfinalists and semifinalists of the CL at some point in the Uefa Cup progressively and making the finalists to automatically qualify for the next seasons CL, it can give some new lease of life to the tournament.

Vinay · 27th September 2008, 10:32

There will be two extra games played by teams in the UEFA cup, when you get to the group stage of the competition proper. Doesn't sound easy to handle, I say, especially for teams that have to go through qualifying rounds!

Lot 49 · 27th September 2008, 11:13

Europa league is a terrible name.

Sounds like a disease.

"Dr. I've just come back from holiday and all my skin has turned purple, what's wrong with me."
"You've got europa."
"Shit."

26th September 2008, 12:22	#1 (permalink)
Brad GTBTB Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Red Republik Posts: 20,971	The Europa League Uefa making the big, difficult decisions chaging the fundimentals of the game for the better I see... Uefa Cup gets new name in revamp http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...pe/7637600.stm The Uefa Cup is to be renamed the Uefa Europa League from next season, with the competition set to be extended. The new-look league will have 48 clubs in 12 groups of four, with teams playing each other home and away as opposed to just once as it stands now. The top two in each group then join the eight third-placed Champions League clubs in a 32-club knock-out stage. However, under the new format beaten cup finalists will no longer qualify for the competition. Millwall and West Ham have both qualified as beaten FA Cup runners-up in recent years, but Uefa say this will no longer be the case, even if the winners have already qualified for the Champions League. The competition will also have its TV rights sold centrally, in the same way as the Champions League, which should increase income to clubs. "I am convinced the new format will give the Uefa Europa League a successful new impetus," said Uefa president Michel Platini. "These changes will improve this historic competition, which is very important for Uefa and for European football as it gives more fans, players and clubs the thrill of European club football." A statement on the Uefa website adds: "The new name and logo will help underline the tournament's special character and unique sporting appeal. "Uefa's ambition in making these changes is to rejuvenate the competition in the light of the new European football landscape, which has shifted significantly with the continued success of the Champions League, so that the Uefa Europa League can establish itself as a major competition."

26th September 2008, 12:34	#4 (permalink)
Wes Brown is no God Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Dublin, in the Irish Republic Posts: 8,205	re-brand, nothing else.

26th September 2008, 12:56	#5 (permalink)
Gio Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Bonnie Scotland Posts: 1,271	Groups of 4 and top two qualifying is better than the existing system of 3/5 qualifying.

26th September 2008, 13:02	#6 (permalink)
Cornell Reserve Team Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sydney 2000. - Wesley Brown is a national hero. Posts: 4,641	Europa League sounds stupid. The problem is, it is a second tier competition no matter what they call it.

26th September 2008, 13:11	#8 (permalink)
Solius First Team Regular Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Playing Connect 4 with Tevez and Anderson. Posts: 10,633	Sounds shit.

26th September 2008, 17:21	#13 (permalink)
Raven_Blade Attention Whoring Common Crow Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: In Man Utd's Defence. Posts: 18,262	UEFA Champions League > UEFA Europa League They are just trying to add some more glamour to it and can you blame them for trying?

26th September 2008, 17:30	#14 (permalink)
Castolo Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,192	In a breaking development, the new re-modelled Europa League trophy has been unveiled as a giant golden dildo, based on a cast of Michel Platini's erect member. Created by the Avant-garde French artist Jean-Marie Le Cock, the trophy stands 12ft high and includes hand-rails for the victorious captain to clamber up in excitement during the prize-giving ceremony. The UEFA President expressed his delight at the revamp, saying that has truly succeeded in stamping his authority on Europe's newest competition. More soon.

26th September 2008, 17:32	#15 (permalink)
Number7 Ret's Slave Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 22,003	The only way to give this competition any sort of prestigue is if they let the winners into the following years CL.

26th September 2008, 17:41	#16 (permalink)
gaffs Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: E236 - New Member of the K Stand Barmy Army Posts: 3,687	You cant polish a turd.

26th September 2008, 17:59	#18 (permalink)
forrie_x Reserve Team Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MELBOURNE Posts: 588	well, you think UEFA systems are bad, the Asian Football Confederation really like to confuse things... 7 groups of 4 only the top team qualifies, leaving the 7 top teams to playing in a knockout, alongside the defending champions- making 8 teams in the quarter finals. basically the winners get a free ride to the quarters. bisarre system. i think it is being changed soon though.

26th September 2008, 18:45	#19 (permalink)
Epic First Team Sub Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: no man's land Posts: 6,051	Just united the competitons to make a 60 odd team super league.

27th September 2008, 01:35	#21 (permalink)
RedRob Youth Team Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ici Posts: 218	To be fair, the current format is a bit shite. The 5 teams in each group, playing each other once (either home or away) - is it still that style? Get rid of it!

27th September 2008, 02:16	#22 (permalink)
England1966 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada, Posts: 826	Milan will fight for it!

27th September 2008, 10:04	#23 (permalink)
vijay Im rude and disprespectful to the ladies of the forum,though Im happy to cruise Jason and Suresh Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Entertainment Fourm: Winding up the Gaming Gimps Posts: 13,513	UEFA cups used to be more prestigious and difficult to win than the old European cup but with CL around, changing the name and other shite wont really work out in draggin them out of the garderobe. The best solution is to haul out the entire format, let the losing quarterfinalists and semifinalists of the CL at some point in the Uefa Cup progressively and making the finalists to automatically qualify for the next seasons CL, it can give some new lease of life to the tournament.

27th September 2008, 10:32	#24 (permalink)
Vinay Muppet in Training Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: On a Rose-Hill Posts: 4,372	There will be two extra games played by teams in the UEFA cup, when you get to the group stage of the competition proper. Doesn't sound easy to handle, I say, especially for teams that have to go through qualifying rounds!

27th September 2008, 11:13	#25 (permalink)
Lot 49 Doom Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,174	Europa league is a terrible name. Sounds like a disease. "Dr. I've just come back from holiday and all my skin has turned purple, what's wrong with me." "You've got europa." "Shit."