UEFA could never be accused of favouring the smaller nations when devising the qualifying procedures of the Champions League.
Yet such is the radical departure of allowing a route to the European Championship through the new Nations League, this is exactly what they have done. Two teams placed in the lower half of UEFA’s rankings are guaranteed places in Euro 2020. Bizarrely, Scotland’s failure to reach this summer’s World Cup has actually greatly improved their chances of qualifying for the next international tournament by being placed in the third group of nations.
The new competition, designed to replace friendlies with matches that have a competitive edge, is split into four leagues based on UEFA’s rankings at October 2017. Rather than having a hierarchical qualification process, this competition is uniquely horizontal. Each league winner avoids playing other winners higher up the ranking, instead playing teams judged to be at the same level to determine who goes through. But the catch is that the teams are placed due to a ranking achieved a year before the tournament begins. This favours countries on an upward trajectory such as Serbia, who have qualified for the World Cup but remain in the third pot, yet punishes Holland, in the same group as Germany and France. The qualifying place for the bottom group winner is groundbreaking; like League Two champions Portsmouth entering the Europa League.
Denne historien er fra March 2018-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
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Denne historien er fra March 2018-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Pirate Transmission
Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.
Scandi Drama
Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.
Pot Of Gold
A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire
Digital Divide
From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.
Haringey Ladder
The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.
Room With A View
Hampden Park
Not In The Script
ARSENAL FILM
Out Of Place...
After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker
Uncomfortable Truth
At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
