Well, Platini’s ‘A game’ is back! The frantic UEFA’s leader as got his way and we see all kind of exotic clubs roaming towards the group stage. From Cyprus to Hungary, passing thru Switzerland or Israel, Platini’s dream to enlarge the influence of the Champions League is at the moment a success. The champion’s path assures that there is at least one National Champion in each group.
Three things pop into one’s mind. First the 7.5 million Euros for entering the group stages will do miracles for teams like Maccabi Haifa or Debreceni, but this might mean that national competition will be extremely unbalanced – like the difference from the big four BBC’s agreements and all the others Premier League teams – on the other side we might see national interest towards football increasing. What a dream for Hungarian’s to welcome Liverpool or for Cyprus fans to do the same with the blues.
Second, will any of those teams produce real performances? Can they mount a real threat or dream about reaching the knock-out stage? Or even get to the new found Europa League? Frankly? NO! But that’s why this is the beautiful game. On any day, any team can win!!
Third, it makes me think about the times when the Champions League were the right place for Champions, when winning was everything and teams across Europe wouldn’t compromise to became champions. Nowadays we hear the boards saying the most important thing is to assure a CL presence. At least in countries like Hungary, Israel, Romania… this is no longer so.
Well, I know, things would look quite gray with only one English, Italian or Spanish. But to have four or five from the stronger nations, shouldn’t we just create a European Premier League?
Three things pop into one’s mind. First the 7.5 million Euros for entering the group stages will do miracles for teams like Maccabi Haifa or Debreceni, but this might mean that national competition will be extremely unbalanced – like the difference from the big four BBC’s agreements and all the others Premier League teams – on the other side we might see national interest towards football increasing. What a dream for Hungarian’s to welcome Liverpool or for Cyprus fans to do the same with the blues.
Second, will any of those teams produce real performances? Can they mount a real threat or dream about reaching the knock-out stage? Or even get to the new found Europa League? Frankly? NO! But that’s why this is the beautiful game. On any day, any team can win!!
Third, it makes me think about the times when the Champions League were the right place for Champions, when winning was everything and teams across Europe wouldn’t compromise to became champions. Nowadays we hear the boards saying the most important thing is to assure a CL presence. At least in countries like Hungary, Israel, Romania… this is no longer so.
Well, I know, things would look quite gray with only one English, Italian or Spanish. But to have four or five from the stronger nations, shouldn’t we just create a European Premier League?
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