http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/ World Soccer views and news Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:24:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336935 Betting Blue Boy Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:44:18 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336935 The UEFA Cup certainly does seem to be reclaiming some of it's credentials as a relevant competition for the bigger clubs in Europe. A way which UEFA could deal with this - and I know that it has a lot to do with money - would be to reduce the number of teams in the Champions League, scrapping the groups stage creating a fully knock-out competition and increasing the spice throughout the cup. I say this because there have been some really dull group stage games due to the fact that teams are already qualified etc. The effect this would have on the UEFA Cup would be beneficial as stronger teams would qualify for the competition and a knock-on affect would be seen in the domestic leagues with fewer Champions League places there to play for. What do you think? The UEFA Cup certainly does seem to be reclaiming some of it’s credentials as a relevant competition for the bigger clubs in Europe.
A way which UEFA could deal with this - and I know that it has a lot to do with money - would be to reduce the number of teams in the Champions League, scrapping the groups stage creating a fully knock-out competition and increasing the spice throughout the cup. I say this because there have been some really dull group stage games due to the fact that teams are already qualified etc.
The effect this would have on the UEFA Cup would be beneficial as stronger teams would qualify for the competition and a knock-on affect would be seen in the domestic leagues with fewer Champions League places there to play for.
What do you think?

]]> http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336867 SternDesSuedens Mon, 25 Feb 2008 05:55:48 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336867 Bayern to win it all, seriously. They've been uneven this season, but their recent form has been strong. Like the boss from Aberdeen said -- they lose Ribery and bring in Schweinsteiger. Bayern to win it all, seriously. They’ve been uneven this season, but their recent form has been strong. Like the boss from Aberdeen said — they lose Ribery and bring in Schweinsteiger.

]]> http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336864 Daily Dose.: 2.24.08 - World Football - The Offside - Soccer News and Opinion from leagues around the world Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:13:19 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336864 [...] UEFA Cup bigger than we think? (Reuters Soccer Blog) [...] [...] UEFA Cup bigger than we think? (Reuters Soccer Blog) [...]

]]> http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336840 Cy Nical Sat, 23 Feb 2008 12:01:15 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336840 I'm not sure if the UEFA Cup is back in the big time just yet, but it is now definately more competitive. I predict a rise in status of this competition, as clubs throughout Europe that a few years ago would have had a realistic chance of getting into the Champions League/European Cup are finding it increasingly dificult to compete with the rich clubs in their respective leagues. Never as the gulf between the 'haves' and 'have nots' been so great, and this as left many clubs of an equally high standard giving it there all to win it as this competition is the only 'European advertisement board' available for these clubs.Great for the fans too. I’m not sure if the UEFA Cup is back in the big time just yet, but it is now definately more competitive.
I predict a rise in status of this competition, as clubs throughout Europe that a few years ago would have had a realistic chance of getting into the Champions League/European Cup are finding it increasingly dificult to compete with the rich clubs in their respective leagues.
Never as the gulf between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ been so great, and this as left many clubs of an equally high standard giving it there all to win it as this competition is the only ‘European advertisement board’ available for these clubs.Great for the fans too.

]]> http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336831 London Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:11:19 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336831 Do you remember when it used to be pronounced YOU-fa Cup? Do you remember when it used to be pronounced YOU-fa Cup?

]]> http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336830 London Fri, 22 Feb 2008 17:10:34 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336830 What, there´s still a UEFA Cup? What, there´s still a UEFA Cup?

]]> http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336828 The UEFA Cup: Awful Group Stage, Great Knockouts - UEFA Cup - The Offside - Soccer News and Opinion from leagues around the world Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:51:07 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336828 [...] Not too shabby, especially those last two games. And it’s led Reuters Soccer Blog to ask the question: is the UEFA Cup back? [...] [...] Not too shabby, especially those last two games. And it’s led Reuters Soccer Blog to ask the question: is the UEFA Cup back? [...]

]]> http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336827 Richard Hughes Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:36:19 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336827 The latter stages of the UEFA cup tend to be much more exciting, I agree they really should look into a better way of getting through to the quarter finals, as participation in a full UEFA cup campaign can be a long drawn out affair. The latter stages of the UEFA cup tend to be much more exciting, I agree they really should look into a better way of getting through to the quarter finals, as participation in a full UEFA cup campaign can be a long drawn out affair.

]]> http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336822 Kev Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:19:16 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/02/22/friday-afternoon-question-is-the-uefa-cup-back-in-the-big-time/#comment-336822 It has been a good year and it looks like getting better, with the big teams kept apart so far. A Bayern v Tottenham final would be pretty interesting. I think they'll have to get rid of the annoying group phase before it really makes a comeback, though. The pre-Christmas side of things is one long pain. It has been a good year and it looks like getting better, with the big teams kept apart so far. A Bayern v Tottenham final would be pretty interesting. I think they’ll have to get rid of the annoying group phase before it really makes a comeback, though. The pre-Christmas side of things is one long pain.

]]>