European trophies are a mess

[twoblue]

Iremember the days when the European Cup was just for the Champons of the European Leagues, Cup winners cup for the cup winners o said league and the good old Uefa cup for the also rans. Football back then felt real not the plastic, corporate monstrosity it is today.

In fairness wining European cups in the 70s and 80s involved playing 5 crap Nordic and east European teams and then fluking past and German and Italian team. It’s a bigger trophy now but I take your point

 

[Creek]

Iremember the days when the European Cup was just for the Champons of the European Leagues, Cup winners cup for the cup winners o said league and the good old Uefa cup for the also rans. Football back then felt real not the plastic, corporate monstrosity it is today.

The European cup was harder to qualify for than it was to win. Forest beat Malmo in a final

 

[Creek]

The point is that there is very little difference. We would all like to win it. But the only teams interested in the europa league and the conference league are the teams playing in it.

Take a look at who Villa and palacehad to beat to win the trophy. It’s got to be the easiest route to any any cup final available to an English club.

This year, next year will have Leverkusen Milan and Juve though

 

[PITA]

Iremember the days when the European Cup was just for the Champons of the European Leagues, Cup winners cup for the cup winners o said league and the good old Uefa cup for the also rans. Football back then felt real not the plastic, corporate monstrosity it is today.

Often it was harder to win because the previous year's league winners might not be having such a good season and teams that finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th might be doing better.

 

[Creek]

Often it was harder to win because the previous year's league winners might not be having such a good season and teams that finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th might be doing better.

Yep exactly this, Juve went into the European cup but AC and Inter dropped into the UEFA, ditto Barca/Real/Atletico Dortmund/Bayern/Gladbach/Hamburg and so on.

Meanwhile Englands European cup final representatives run to the semis would be the champion of Luxembourg, the champion of Ireland, the champion of Austria, the Champion of Denmark and the champion of Greece.

 

[Gallaeo]

Tell that to

Djurgardens, who on their way to the SF of the conference league last season, hadn't made it to a QF in a European Competition since 1955-56.

Or to Rayo Vallecano, who'd never even made a final in any competition prior to last night.

Olympiacos had never won a European pot prior to their win 2 seasons ago.

I don't think you'll see Larne, TNS, Shamrock, Shelbourne, Lincoln or Hamrum qualifying for any other competition.


UEFA are known for terrible, terrible calls, but the decision to stop teams dropping down decisions is the best thing they've done in years.

Agreed.

The Conference league was effectively a pay off to the smaller leagues as compensation for effectively losing any real chance of qualifying for CL. You need at least one team from each of the big leagues to make it viable.

As an ST holder for Shamrock Rovers (please……. Not “Shamrock”!), it has been amazing. So many great trips and now waiting on CL 1st qualifying draw and a potential trip to Eastern European / small Mediterranean team. We even qualified out of the group the yr before last!

Not great financially for Everton but would be fancied to make at least SF and I can guarantee you it would be amazing for the fans

 

[Rita_Poon]

If we did actually qualify, we would most probably survive the league bit but as soon as we got anybody decent in the must win knock out stages, out we'd go
Moyes doesnt do 'Must Win ' - never has.

We beat fiorentina 2-0.

 

[Rita_Poon]

I remember the days when the European Cup was just for the Champions of the European Leagues, Cup winners cup for the cup winners o said league and the good old Uefa cup for the also rans. Football back then felt real not the plastic, corporate monstrosity it is today.

you could be onto something here, a reintroduction of the CWC. knock out competition, cup winners or the losing finalist only if winner is in another competition already.

 

[degsy]

We beat fiorentina 2-0.

You're just trying to cheer me up because Moyes isnt going anywhere

 

[Rita_Poon]

You're just trying to cheer me up because Moyes is the going anywhere

it was a while ago. when Moyes won the conference he did so with Declan Rice as captain at the heart of his side, the same DR that just captained arsenal to the title and leads them out in the CL final tomorrow.

 

[degsy]

it was a while ago. when Moyes won the conference he did so with Declan Rice as captain at the heart of his side, the same DR that just captained arsenal to the title and leads them out in the CL final tomorrow.

I did think that Rice carried that W Ham team in the semi and final

 

[Rita_Poon]

I did think that Rice carried that W Ham team in the semi and final

yeah, he was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch in every game.

 

[Gwladysstreetlad]

People can dismiss the Europa and the Conference league but I'm certain that we'd bottle it if we where in either competition. Never underestimate this clubs ability to scrape defeat from the jaws of victory.

 

[frank_da_tank]

People can dismiss the Europa and the Conference league but I'm certain that we'd bottle it if we where in either competition. Never underestimate this clubs ability to scrape defeat from the jaws of victory.

This x 1000