Captain... Posted 26 March 2014 Posted 26 March 2014 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26747394 A "League of Nations" that would be a third major tournament for European countries after the World Cup and European Championship is expected to be given the go-ahead by Uefa on Thursday. Games would be played in odd-numbered years on dates reserved for friendlies, starting after the 2018 World Cup. No exact details have been confirmed, but there would be up to four divisions with promotion and relegation, plus a 'final four' competition in the summer. England would likely be in a top tier. Could be good, more competitive games against the best of europe, rather than the procession that usually is qualifying, but will it cheapen the Euros, or add congestion to an already pretty full football calendar? Thoughts?
Mike the Metal Ed Posted 26 March 2014 Posted 26 March 2014 What's the point? I'm guessing to answer the people who criticise the fact that the Liechtensteins and San Marinos of the continent regularly have to play competitive fixtures against top level teams rather than teams that match their skill level, instead of seeding the European Championship qualifiers at this stage. A divisional league could replace the need for seeding algorithms however, and maybe lead to a seeded European Championship qualifier in the future?
Benji Posted 26 March 2014 Posted 26 March 2014 Decent idea if it's just in substitution for friendlies. What we don't need is more fixtures which would be detrimental to the domestic game.
Pride_Of_The_Midlands Posted 26 March 2014 Posted 26 March 2014 So who would be the European champions? The winners of Division 1 of the Nations League or The winners of the European Championship
Dan Posted 26 March 2014 Posted 26 March 2014 I'm guessing to answer the people who criticise the fact that the Liechtensteins and San Marinos of the continent regularly have to play competitive fixtures against top level teams rather than teams that match their skill level, instead of seeding the European Championship qualifiers at this stage. A divisional league could replace the need for seeding algorithms however, and maybe lead to a seeded European Championship qualifier in the future? I've thought for a while that a league system is better than the current qualifying system, though that could take the glamour off some fixtures in major tournaments. I'd have promotions/relegations every 5 games and whoever is in the top 13 (for arguments sake) positions qualifies for the said tournament. But this tournament/league doesn't really seem like an alternative. To me it's just another confederations - won't attract big interest and won't be taken overly seriously. Don't get me wrong the confederations was worth a watch but it's nothing special at all. So who would be the European champions? The winners of Division 1 of the Nations League or The winners of the European Championship
Pride_Of_The_Midlands Posted 26 March 2014 Posted 26 March 2014 But the winners of the FA Cup aren't the champions of England are they.
Stadt Posted 26 March 2014 Posted 26 March 2014 I think this could end up being better than the Euros if it's taken seriously, games against Spain, Germany, France and Italy would be a lot more interesting than games against Moldova and Andorra.
theessexfox Posted 27 March 2014 Posted 27 March 2014 http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9234426/uefa-approve-launch-of-nations-league-from-2018 EFA approve launch of Nations League from 2018. Last Updated: 27/03/14 7:23am 0 UEFA: Will introduce new tournament after 2018 Sky Bet Football Betting Up To £30 Free Matched Bet UEFA have approved the launch of a Nations League from 2018. The new tournament will be played every second year after being given the go-ahead by by UEFA's Congress in Kazakhstan. Countries can win qualifying places for the 2020 European Championships if they perform well in the league, which will replace the majority of friendlies. The exact format of the competition is yet to finalised, but is expected to feature 54 countries split into four divisions, according to rankings. "We accept and respect that all UEFA member associations have agreed to create a new competition," said Wolfgang Niersbach, chairman of the National Teams Competition committee. "This is a big step for national teams in Europe and we hope that fans will support the format."
Beliall Posted 27 March 2014 Posted 27 March 2014 i like the sound of this, could be interesting watching england get relegated
Manwell Pablo Posted 27 March 2014 Posted 27 March 2014 Mixed feelings on this, it replaces friendlies all the better. Can't help but think it's a money spinner though.
Manwell Pablo Posted 27 March 2014 Posted 27 March 2014 Do we qualify automatically? Wales, Division Four Champions 2018
foxes_rule1978 Posted 27 March 2014 Posted 27 March 2014 I like the idea because it gets rid of most of the needless friendlies.... and gives a more competitive edge for the international sides against opponents at your level. This could benefit us when we get to the major competitions it will help gel the team better...
indierich06 Posted 27 March 2014 Posted 27 March 2014 This sounds like a great idea from UEFA - not got a lot of time for Platini, but this could be fantastic. Everyone hates those uncompetitive, dead rubber friendlies. Hopefully this will add a bit if a competitive edge for a change. Would certainly make international football more entertaining for me personally.
davieG Posted 27 March 2014 Posted 27 March 2014 ...and will sell to media outlets for bigger bucks than friendlies, probably set up for Sky/Bt to go head to head on Perhaps UEFA can introduce a £20's plenty for these games
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