I thought it was quite refreshing seeing the reaction of the Bilbao players as they won their semi final. You could see the happiness and passion they possess for an allegedly 'poor' competition. It just goes to show that the Europa League does hold some prestige and I find it quite insulting to hear a lot of English people, press, players belittling it.
agreed. english arrogance leads to the down sizing of valuable comps.... you only need see that villa did in russia to thier own fans or what spurs did this season deliberately to ge tout of the comp to see how arrogant sides are... interestingly side who don't bother seem to come a cropper don't they. Most english sides seem to be treating the fa cup like dirt now as well. I think at least LFC value a comp and try to win it. Uefa could do more for the europa league to make it better, prize moeny and tv deals are important... if sky grabbed the europa they'd make it much better than the channel 5 two bob effort it is.... this is merely a symptom of how the english view it... nobody cares so tv companies don't bid bigger. Good for the spanish making a go of it.
I think having the big clubs in the competition did well to boost it's popularity. Even ITV showed a Man Utd game on ITV1 which is unheard of for Europa League matches. Bilabao, Valencia, Ath Madrid, Ath Bilbao have all done well and showed a high level of quality which so hopefully that can help raise it's profile and show people that the cup does have some good teams in there. I certainly hope we take this seriously next season.
We should be going into the Europa League next season with the only aim being to win it. Its definitely a competition we are capable of winning, we just need to take it seriously and go for it like we did in the cups this season. Obviously Europa League is a lot of extra games, so we will need to add to our squad. The early stages of the competition could be good for our older players like Carragher, Kuyt, Maxi and Bellamy if they are all still around. I'd maybe consider a few kids in the early stages, but I'd keep Suarez, Carroll and co involved. We have to show the contest respect. In years to come it will be trophy's we look back on with pride, and it will be good prep ahead of a return to the Champions League.
I love the fact that the Europa league is on channel 5... it's a throw back to how football used to be. I love the fact everyone hates it, I'm a huge fan of the europa league! the champions league is pointless in my opinion, it's the same 8 or so clubs year in year out battling for it. The europa league is different every year
The Champions League will throw you in occational Porto V Monacco. Its exciting to see teams like Standard Liege play well.
This^ I don't know why everyone slags it off for being on 5. I only watch it for the game and the coverage is fine as far as I'm concerned. Not bothered who their so-called "experts" are.
I think the Europa League has been excellent this year,and like Bozz says has been a bit of a throw back Who'd heard of Susaeta and De Marcos before this season.Bilbao have been brilliant , and a breath of fresh air in this years comp, everyone now wants there players.Dont get me wrong its not as important as CL but Id prefer to win the EL than the FAC
I think if we saw more quality teams like we did this season but for every year, then I'm sure Sky will eventually decide to buy the rights and then the real money is pumped into it. At the moment, the Europa League has a reputation of being poor because of the lowly teams that are in it including some random Ukrainian or Bulgarian teams that no one has heard of (no disrespect!). If we had more teams like your Bilbao's, Ath Madrid's, Sporting Lisbon's etc, then it would have more appeal.
**** Sky, I'd like to see someone like Al-Jazeera pick it up and pump some money in to it, The random teams are what makes the competition, who had honestley heard of FK Rabotnički before the Europa league, it should be seen as the FA cup of European competitions, in fact, thats what they should do, get rid of the group stages and all forms of seeding, have it knock out from round one and have every game 1 leg... anyone can play anyone... it would be a marketing Dream! The Uefa Cup - The European Competition where anything can happen. Sides like Standard Leige could find themselves getting decent money if they have a luck of the draw and make the semi's
Yes but Al Jazeera doesn't have the same number of Sky's customers so the popularity of the competition won't increase. Unfortunately, Sky have a monopoly over the sport because of their vast resources and ability to broadcast to millions of viewers.
Just one quick question. If it's so well thought of and so popular why do tv companies not bid to show it? I mean that's millions they are losing out on in advertising revenue.Seems stupid they'd do that.....oh wait............
Well, it hasn't been great until this season, really. Certainly I never watched it until we were in it (although I think that was the first year of it being this format), but I've watched most of the knock-out games this season because of the decent sides who are in it. Been some excellent games. Maybe it's on the up.
You may want to try watching the games before commenting, the comp has nothing to do with Liverpool but people are just commenting on the competition. If you had bothered watching the games you would find that it has been brilliant this year and that the point being made by posters is that maybe us as fans should stop being so concerned with the big money comps and concentrate on football. Whether through qualification or through being knocked out of the CL, the Europa league is something that we as fans should all be looking to celebrate winning.
I've always been happy to watch the UEFA games, and unlike CRofL I actually love the sport not just because its fashionable these days. Pretty sure he'll change his tune when they are in it next year. All the messing round with the format hasn't helped it in previous years plus 6 o clock kick offs are a nightmare when trying to get to a game after work so hope they change that sooner rather than later
So here you all are saying how you enjoy this comp and enjoy watching it and yet the viewing figures for it are almost non existent that's why tv doesn't bid for it. Something doesn't add up..... Oh and I won't change my tune.All the EL does is remind you every Thursday night that you're not at the top of your own domestic league or that you weren't good enough to stay in the CL.....
Let me guess... You've supported Chelsea since.... 2003? Was it Man Utd before that? Or were you too young to remember?
Exactly. People who think only the top teams are worth watching or supporting betray the fact that they're not really interested in football as a game, and only use it as an excuse for petty, tribal point scoring.
