Comments on: Is Europa League UEFA’s second best or worst competition?

By: Freud of Football

Freud of Football — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:58:46 +0000

What a pity that this article has generated so little interest.

The Europa League is a fantastic competition with some excellent clubs and yet people would rather discuss some surfers views on the Gold Coast franchise.

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:42:08 +0000

the whole thing has become a farce….take it all back 15 years….League winners in the European Cup, Cup winners in the cup winners cup..simple
But of course it will never happen

By: gazz

gazz — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:16:49 +0000

I dont understand several of your points here, Davidde. You need to elaborate?

By: Freud of Football

Freud of Football — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:52:54 +0000

The problem here is UEFA inherent wish to rule the footballing world.

Anyone can see that the format is flawed but as it includes so many teams, clubs aren’t going to complain. It’s ironic because teams know how many games they might have to win to win the tournament and the added strain it will put on squads but the extra income makes up for the lack of interest in the nothing fixtures.

For me, this is a type of test phase for the previously mentioned European Super League. I’m not sure whether UEFA are trying to show the big clubs that such a tournament is not viable (as it would appear the “little cousin” is an ordinary idea) so as to avoid the inevitable breakaway league or whether they are trying to to perfect the format so that when the time comes, they might retain control of it as without the big clubs, UEFA no longer exists.

Either way you can be sure UEFA have bigger and better plans than scheduling games for FC Sheriff.

It is a shame because there was always some fantastic matches in this league, the dutch teams coming out and playing some beautiful football or some of the “lesser” spanish teams going on an all-out attacking rampage, it seems it has now become purely a money making machine for the gluttons at UEFA.

By: Stormin Red

Stormin Red — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:03:55 +0000

I find the Europa league can be a lot more interesting than the Champions League. Before the introduction of the new qualification system this year, the CL always seemed to throw up the same teams year in year out. UEFA Cup always throws up different teams from all over Europe.

The Europa is also a much better gauge of the depth of each countries league. England rarely seems have teams make the final rounds of the UEFA Cup, despite being the self proclaimed best league in the world (only Boro a couple of years ago), whereas Spain seems to always have at least one or two teams in the semis.

Also, it looks like the Europa may be the only cup Liverpool have a shot at winning this year

By: dasilva

dasilva — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:45:47 +0000

I think there’s one thing about Europa league that has an advantage over the UEFA champions league. This is linked directly to the lack of prestige it has.

Team generally go out and play a more open and attacking football in the Europa cup more often I find

There have been far less of the Chelsea and liverpool dour match up (excluding last seasons) or going to the match aiming for a 0-0 draw that you find for anyone playing against Barcalona even other big teams.

I think in the Europa league, all the clubs are in the same boat and there’s less financial disparity and teams can compete with each other which is also another reason why clubs are less likely to adopt an ultradefensive approach