Old European Cup Better Than The Champions League?

[TM87]

Europe’s premier club competition was born in 1955 under the name of the European Champions Clubs’ Cup, better known at the European Cup. Only the champions from each national country were eligible to take part. For the next 36 years the tournament would use a two-leg knockout format in every round up until the final, which of course would be decided in a one-off game at a neutral venue.

In 1991/92, this format slightly changed, as two round-robin groups, each containing four teams, were included in the third round, with the top team from each pool, Sampdoria and Barcelona, then going on to meet in the final.

This system was officially inaugurated the following season, and the competition was renamed to what it is called today, the UEFA Champions League. This signalled the start of a gigantic expansion, and in 1997/98, runners-up from the top nations were also invited to take part. This rapid growth in numbers continued so that ten years on from this, England, Italy and Spain all now enter four teams into the Champions League.

The group phase, which in 1992 had contained eight clubs, all national champions, now has 32 teams, with a mix of first, second, third and fourth placed domestic squads.

No Romance

What is becoming even more apparent is that, not only is there now only three countries capable of winning the Champions League, there is in fact only a handful of teams. Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Inter and Milan are probably the only clubs in with a realistic chance. Bayern Munich could be included. It would be considered a shock if a team not on this list were to lift the trophy.

Where has all the romance gone?

[BAGGIO 15]

Only champions should be in it not 4th placed side from the big leagues.

[TM87]

I agree

All Countries Could Challenge

Today there are only realistically three countries who can provide a Champions League winner - England, Italy and Spain. Occasionally you may get an anomaly, such as Porto in 2004, but these are becoming rarer by the year.

In the old European Cup, all nations had a chance of emerging victorious. Who can forget the brilliant 1991 winners Red Star Belgrade from Yugoslavia (now Serbia)? Red Star are perhaps the final old-school winners of the competition. They had been knocking on the door for a number of years prior to 1991, but the chances of them ever winning the tournament again seem impossible.

Then you have Steaua Bucharest who won the European Cup in 1986, and reached a semi-final, and final in 1988 and 89 respectively.

Belgian teams, such as Anderlecht and Club Brugge, always made it to the latter stages, while Sweden also did well in European competition. Gothenburg, who won the UEFA Cup twice in the 1980s, reached the semi-finals in 1986, only losing to Barcelona following a penalty shootout. Russian-outfits such as Dynamo Kiev were always a dangerous animal too.

Holland and Germany produced two of the greatest European Cup teams of all time. Johan Cruijff’s Ajax won the competition three years in succession in the early 1970s, before Franz Beckenbauer’s Bayern Munich won it three times on the bounce themselves.

In the 1990s Ajax created another brilliant team under Louis Van Gaal, while Borussia Dortmund defeated the mighty Juventus in the final in 1997. A decade on, things have become so bad that it is now considered a surprise if a team from Holland or Germany wins the Champions League. The same can also be said about France, who in successive decades provided us with wonderful outfits like St Etienne, Bordeaux and Marseille. Portugal are in a similar boat, and memories of Eusebio’s legendary Benfica of the 1960s are fading fast.

[ForzaChievo]

I still don't understand why La Liga, EPL & Serie A get 4 teams in UCL.

[Judge Judy]

I still don't understand why La Liga, EPL & Serie A get 4 teams in UCL.

$$$$$$$$$

[Fenerbahçe]

I still don't understand why La Liga, EPL & Serie A get 4 teams in UCL.

are u being serious or just.. ?

if u are being serious, it goes by points.

if u look at the current uefa nation/club ranking la liga is first, epl 2nd and serie a 3rd
here http://kassiesa.com/uefabackup/data/met ... k2008.html thats the full standings.

1st to 3rd place sends 4 teams, 4th and 5th send 3 teams, 6th to 10th send 1 team.

[TM87]

I still don't understand why La Liga, EPL & Serie A get 4 teams in UCL.

The UEFA team ranking is determined by the UEFA team coefficients in the last 5 years. The team ranking is used for the seeding of draws.

[Fenerbahçe]

i think only league champions should be allowed to compete in the champions league, ive always been against the name of the comp, like wtf is CHAMPIONS LEAGUE? besiktas werent champions of anything last season wtf r they doing in the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!

[Fenerbahçe]

and long live ELVIR BOLIC

[TM87]

Here are the top 20 teams.
UEFA Team Ranking 2007 > 2008


1 AC Milan Ita 31.2560 16.9285 31.6200 26.0675 27.9360 133.808
2 FC Barcelona Esp 31.1150 16.7230 17.1040 34.1620 20.2700 119.374
3 Liverpool Eng 20.5200 14.7125 30.1385 17.7610 29.4860 112.618
4 Internazionale Ita 28.2560 15.9285 22.6200 24.0675 16.9360 107.808
5 Arsenal Eng 17.5200 17.7125 19.1385 31.7610 18.4860 104.618
6 Real Madrid Esp 27.1150 21.7230 18.1040 17.1620 20.2700 104.374
7 Chelsea Eng 5.5200 22.7125 25.1385 17.7610 28.4860 99.618
Manchester United Eng 26.5200 15.7125 17.1385 12.7610 27.4860 99.618
9 Valencia Esp 27.1150 29.7230 14.1040 5.1620 23.2700 99.374
10 Olympique Lyon Fra 10.6125 18.4550 23.7710 24.5680 18.3000 95.706
11 Newcastle United Eng 15.5200 24.7125 27.1385 4.7610 22.4860 94.618
12 Juventus Ita 29.2560 12.9285 23.6200 23.0675 3.9360 92.808
13 FC Porto Por 24.5475 26.3825 13.6950 8.8150 15.6675 89.107
14 Sevilla Esp 5.1150 4.7230 16.1040 30.1620 31.2700 87.374
15 PSV Eindhoven Ned 8.0350 17.7875 24.9600 13.5025 17.7105 81.995
16 AS Roma Ita 17.2560 12.9285 8.6200 19.0675 20.9360 78.808
17 Villarreal Esp 5.1150 20.7230 22.1040 24.1620 6.2700 78.374
18 Bayern München Ger 6.0170 10.5555 19.4885 17.4440 20.1350 73.640
19 Benfica Por 3.5475 13.3825 13.6950 17.8150 18.6675 67.107
20 Ajax Ned 18.0350 6.7875 11.9600 15.5025 13.7105 65.995

This is done overall the countries and thats how they allocate the spots.

[TM87]

and long live ELVIR BOLIC

I thought you might say that........ i agree Bolic is a great player.

[Fenerbahçe]

and balic is a bastard

[King Of East]

I believe & have always said that it should only be the League Champions that play CL football. If they did then it would make other club's fight so much harder to win their respective League Championships & make them more close & exciting & maybe break up the monopoly of the BIG 3, instead of just thinking " ah doesn't matter as long as we finish at least 4th we will be in the CL next season ".

[TM87]

and balic is a bastard

Is that because he played for Bursaspor or that he left Fenerbachce for Real Madrid for €17million or that he ended up playing for the mighty Galatasaray.

[TM87]

I believe & have always said that it should only be the League Champions that play CL football. If they did then it would make other club's fight so much harder to win their respective League Championships & make them more close & exciting & maybe break up the monopoly of the BIG 3, instead of just thinking " ah doesn't matter as long as we finish at least 4th we will be in the CL next season ".

Excellent point i totally agree.

[Hawkesy]

I have said this before and I will say it again


BRING BACK THE EUROPEAN CUP

Only 2 ways to qualify. Win your domestic league or win the European Cup.

Champions League, what the hell were arsenal and liverpool champions of last year? (you could make an argument for chelsea but still not LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!

[Piola]

while they're at it bring back Cup Winners' Cup

9 years and counting..... siamo ancora gran campioni



FORZA LAZIO

[Facts and Stats]

The stupid thing is, since they changed the format hardly ever have the winners been champions of their league!

[TM87]

I have said this before and I will say it again


BRING BACK THE EUROPEAN CUP

Only 2 ways to qualify. Win your domestic league or win the European Cup.

Champions League, what the hell were arsenal and liverpool champions of last year? (you could make an argument for chelsea but still not LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!

I agree the you would not have this sort of rubbish.

Milan are currently chasing the Champions League and the battle with the Bianconeri is crucial as anything less than a win could see there hopes of playing in Europe’s elite competition fade away.

I agree first past the post and league cup..

[Juventino]

I have said this before and I will say it again


BRING BACK THE EUROPEAN CUP

Only 2 ways to qualify. Win your domestic league or win the European Cup.

Champions League, what the hell were arsenal and liverpool champions of last year? (you could make an argument for chelsea but still not LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!

I agree. Bring back the old format, with the 3 cups.

[pires7]

i guess its uefa's answer to stop the G-14 shit or whatever it was forming a breakaway league! Even though most poeple would hope this league would fail.

[Crazy-North]

I agree

All Countries Could Challenge

Today there are only realistically three countries who can provide a Champions League winner - England, Italy and Spain. Occasionally you may get an anomaly, such as Porto in 2004, but these are becoming rarer by the year.

In the old European Cup, all nations had a chance of emerging victorious. Who can forget the brilliant 1991 winners Red Star Belgrade from Yugoslavia (now Serbia)? Red Star are perhaps the final old-school winners of the competition. They had been knocking on the door for a number of years prior to 1991, but the chances of them ever winning the tournament again seem impossible.

Then you have Steaua Bucharest who won the European Cup in 1986, and reached a semi-final, and final in 1988 and 89 respectively.

Belgian teams, such as Anderlecht and Club Brugge, always made it to the latter stages, while Sweden also did well in European competition. Gothenburg, who won the UEFA Cup twice in the 1980s, reached the semi-finals in 1986, only losing to Barcelona following a penalty shootout. Russian-outfits such as Dynamo Kiev were always a dangerous animal too.

Holland and Germany produced two of the greatest European Cup teams of all time. Johan Cruijff’s Ajax won the competition three years in succession in the early 1970s, before Franz Beckenbauer’s Bayern Munich won it three times on the bounce themselves.

In the 1990s Ajax created another brilliant team under Louis Van Gaal, while Borussia Dortmund defeated the mighty Juventus in the final in 1997. A decade on, things have become so bad that it is now considered a surprise if a team from Holland or Germany wins the Champions League. The same can also be said about France, who in successive decades provided us with wonderful outfits like St Etienne, Bordeaux and Marseille. Portugal are in a similar boat, and memories of Eusebio’s legendary Benfica of the 1960s are fading fast.

wats d question mark for didnt u know that Red Star is from Serbia.

[BAGGIO 15]

I still don't understand why La Liga, EPL & Serie A get 4 teams in UCL.

Simple it keeps the big boys big and the little ones little.

[Juventino]

I agree

All Countries Could Challenge

Today there are only realistically three countries who can provide a Champions League winner - England, Italy and Spain. Occasionally you may get an anomaly, such as Porto in 2004, but these are becoming rarer by the year.

In the old European Cup, all nations had a chance of emerging victorious. Who can forget the brilliant 1991 winners Red Star Belgrade from Yugoslavia (now Serbia)? Red Star are perhaps the final old-school winners of the competition. They had been knocking on the door for a number of years prior to 1991, but the chances of them ever winning the tournament again seem impossible.

Then you have Steaua Bucharest who won the European Cup in 1986, and reached a semi-final, and final in 1988 and 89 respectively.

Belgian teams, such as Anderlecht and Club Brugge, always made it to the latter stages, while Sweden also did well in European competition. Gothenburg, who won the UEFA Cup twice in the 1980s, reached the semi-finals in 1986, only losing to Barcelona following a penalty shootout. Russian-outfits such as Dynamo Kiev were always a dangerous animal too.

Holland and Germany produced two of the greatest European Cup teams of all time. Johan Cruijff’s Ajax won the competition three years in succession in the early 1970s, before Franz Beckenbauer’s Bayern Munich won it three times on the bounce themselves.

In the 1990s Ajax created another brilliant team under Louis Van Gaal, while Borussia Dortmund defeated the mighty Juventus in the final in 1997. A decade on, things have become so bad that it is now considered a surprise if a team from Holland or Germany wins the Champions League. The same can also be said about France, who in successive decades provided us with wonderful outfits like St Etienne, Bordeaux and Marseille. Portugal are in a similar boat, and memories of Eusebio’s legendary Benfica of the 1960s are fading fast.

wats d question mark for didnt u know that Red Star is from Serbia.

The question mark has nothing to do with the word Serbia. It has to do with the whole sentence.

[Fenerbahçe]

and balic is a bastard

Is that because he played for Bursaspor or that he left Fenerbachce for Real Madrid for €17million or that he ended up playing for the mighty Galatasaray.

bcoz of the last one

[ruud]

the new CL is starting to get boring in my opinion

for the next 10/20 years, only teams from the big3 leagues will win it

[Hawkesy]

the new CL is starting to get boring in my opinion

for the next 10/20 years, only teams from the big3 leagues will win it

I disagree, I could see an italian team winning it as well.

[ozzie owl]

Only champions should be in it not 4th placed side from the big leagues.

I agree only Champions from each country plus the holders.

The Champions League wasa compromise by UEFA under the threat of the G14 leaving to form own super league. It is a joke that every year teams like Liverpool are happy with 4th to ge them into Europe. Other joke is how the third placed teams in the ECL groups get to go into the UEFA CUp talk about more chances. I would be happy with format but keep it to champions only.

[Madridista612]

I disagree, I could see an italian team winning it as well.

Stop having a laugh Hawkesy.....an Italian team winning the Champions League in the next 10/20 years would be like the pope converting to buddhism.

As for the debate about the format, whether league champions, cup winners should just go or 3rd, 4th placed teams as well. It's a tough one, I believe that teams like Arsenal, Liverpool etc should be there purely because the likes of Slavia Prague, Red Star Belgrade etc aren't up to it. Even if the format was changed to just the champions, I think you'd find that the big boys would still be winning the trophies except that the gap that the English, Spanish and Dutch league have over other smaller leagues such as the Russian, Serbian and Italian league would grow smaller.

[Juventino]

the new CL is starting to get boring in my opinion

for the next 10/20 years, only teams from the big3 leagues will win it

I think it is boring as well. I want to see Ajax up there, Benfica, etc etc. Same clubs from the same leagues just dominate. Platini was right when he said he wanted to get the teams from outside the big 3 leagues to rise, hopefully he follows through.