Outside, or indeed above, the Premiership, which football league do you enjoy the most? It can be anything, from League 1, Liga BBVA, Bundesliga, Argentinian Primera Division, the MLS so on so on. Personally, in terms of league quality, I'm a big fan of the Bundesliga, plenty of competition, the fans have such a better experience, and the players currently coming through it are remarkable. I do however hold a sentiment for the Airtricity (Irish) League and the Welsh Premier League, due to the large amount of matches I watch in them. Although neither league is likely to ever produce a Champions League winning team, I still feel the same affinity that I imagine fans of Boston Utd feel for the Blue Square North etc. So, I open the floor, whats your favourite alternate league, and why?
Yeah Bundesliga is the only league I keep up to date with and that's mainly because of the convenience of having the highlights show on playback. I'll usually watch Real Madrid if they're on and I remember but apart from that I'll watch the odd random Serie A/La Liga game if I'm down the pub.
The only other league I take any interest in is Division 1 Cyprus where I follow the fortunes of APOEL. I am usually in Cyprus 2 or 3 times a year and when there go to see APOEL play. The supporters are very enthusiastic, with a home support around 12 to 14000 they have their ultras who put on a show throughout the games. Something like 4000 were trying to get tickets from a 2000 allocation when APOEL played Lyon in France in their recent CL adventure which was pretty impressive. I am considered a lucky omen when I go as I have never seen them lose a game. They play their home games in the national stadium which they share with Omonia so in an 'away' game you have to move to the away section and tickets are limited. Apart from that I just follow Spurs.
The German League is the only other league worth watching at the moment, unpredictable and dynamic. Italian league has a certain romance to it from 10-20 years ago and is actually quite open with 5/6 top teams, though their footballing culture is dubious. La Liga I find very dull, occasionally watch Barca or Madrid on Sky, but most of the other teams are utter dross.
Can't say I follow any other league actively. Usually I'll follow a team semi actively if we are due to play them anytime in Europe. Or if a player is interesting Spurs eg Holtby or if we have just been involved in a transfer to see how the ex-Spur is doing eg Modric.
I'm slowly getting into the Bundesliga thanks to one of my mates from Uni who loves it, possibly because he supports Posh so he has to get some decent footy from somewhere!! He's a massive Dortmund fan and has been for years but I don't really follow a particular team, so many teams have good talents over there though so it's good to watch if there's nothing else on IMO. I don't catch much of it though. I also have a soft spot for Palermo over in Serie A, I watch them whenever I can get a stream and have the time. Fabrizio Miccoli is one hell of a player for them, and the general quality of football in Serie A isn't nearly as bad as some people in England like to make out. I find it quite interesting to see so many teams over there playing back 3s as well, on a purely tactical note.
Agree with you here KH - the fact that a win can move you up 5 places at this stage of the season is crazy. Also, though there are of course bookies' favourites, these teams often falter (Wolves, Bolton anyone?) whilst other teams are a surprise. A thoroughly enjoyable league to follow!
Eredivisie for me. Been a keen follower for about the past 4-5 seasons now and having went to watch the Ajax vs PSV game a couple months back (Ajax is my "foreign team"), my interest has grown even more.
Bundesliga is fast becoming the most exciting league in the world, still love watching Barcelona as they are the best team I have ever seen in my lifetime.
Agree they are the best, but is it actually enjoyable? They are like Arsenal, only competent. Tippy, tappy passing around teams, walking the ball into the net. No searing pace off the shoulder of the last defender, or exciting wing play skinning their full back. Its all very similar?
League Two last year League One this year And The Championship next year after Swindon Town get back-to-back promotions. The football is a bit ****e at times; well, most of the time. We are so spoilt in the Premier League.
During the Champions League under Guardiola, I was literlly mesmerised at times by them. The quick passing, movement and pressurising of the opposition was just breathtaking and looked to be almost unplayable. Think it's very harsh to compare them with Arsenal mind ha ha
I dont find them exciting either..i prefer the strong powerful game that is played by Madrid,Bayern and Spurs.