champions league as if it's not enough of a joke already

[Acidmouse]

I just wish only the league winners went into this good old days where coming 4th was not rewarded.

[The Baron]

I'm not so sure much of Europe would tune into Shakthar Donetsk Vs Helsingborg or TNS vs Brondby meaning the offers for the smaller games from TV channels wouldn't amount to much.

Once again, I think the G14 clubs would veto any deal that takes money away from them. EVERYTHING (from the format to the teams included) in the CL is based around money being made out of the big glamourous matches. It sucks yes, but it works as everyone who likes football tunes in all across Europe.

I dont think it should be called the 'Champions League' but if you take away the teams involved most years it just wont be as appealing.

[matt674]

I'm not so sure much of Europe would tune into Shakthar Donetsk Vs Helsingborg or TNS vs Brondby meaning the offers for the smaller games from TV channels wouldn't amount to much.

How many times though do you hear of a big game build up only for the match itself to be a complete anti-climax, then on the very next night you end up watching a game between two teams you've hardly every heard of and it turn out to be one of the most entertaining games you've seen in ages.

Personally if its football i usually end up watching it regardless of the teams/countries participating and nowadays virtually every league in europe is getting some form of tv coverage - eurosport will show anything!!

Obviously not every game is going to get covered but most teams will find someone wanting to show the games even if its their own terrestrial tv coverage.......

I'm supposed to be putting together the unaudited company accounts for 2006 - i can't be expected to come up with the answers to all of Platini's problems in one afternoon!!

[jizzemm]

The worst thing about the C/L is the fact that you can basically work out the route to the final once the draw will be made this afternoon, and 9 times out of 10, the same teams will be playing each other like last season and the season before.. Chelsea v Barca, Liv v Chelsea, and so on..

C/L should be about Champions, UEFA cup or whatever they want to call it should be for other clubs.. The problem with this format now is that Champions of Spain, Italy or UK will win it every year because the top 3 or 4 in them leagues are so far ahead of the other clubs.

I dont know what the answer should be I cant see it changing much, maybe it should go back to being a knock out comp from the start 2 legged.. 

[The Baron]

I'm not so sure much of Europe would tune into Shakthar Donetsk Vs Helsingborg or TNS vs Brondby meaning the offers for the smaller games from TV channels wouldn't amount to much.

How many times though do you hear of a big game build up only for the match itself to be a complete anti-climax, then on the very next night you end up watching a game between two teams you've hardly every heard of and it turn out to be one of the most entertaining games you've seen in ages.

Very true, but how many fans continent wide think that way? Everyone from everywhere will watch Man Utd, more becuase of marketing than anything else. Most big clubs have that pull. It is a shame I admit, my favourite clubs in the last 3 years in Europe have been Seville, AZ Alkmaar and Weder Bremen.