OK, now explain the Champions League

**RyckyRych** · May 20th, 2012, 01:30 AM

Is this a tournament that is played concurrently while the Premier League season is running? My head hurts again...

**Tim** · May 20th, 2012, 01:55 PM

The name "Champions League" is a little misleading because the latest winners, Chelsea, haven't been champions of anything for a few years now. They are the 6th best team in England and beat the 2nd best German team last night. They are also the worst team to have won the competition in living memory.

In answer to your question, yes it runs alongside the regular national leagues. The champions of most European nations qualify, but some of the more successful nations have more places. For example, the top 4 teams from England and Spain qualify, top 3 from Italy, etc.

My personal opinion is that football has sold its soul to the champions league and I prefer how it was before, just the top team from each European league.

**RyckyRych** · May 20th, 2012, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by Tim

The name "Champions League" is a little misleading because the latest winners, Chelsea, haven't been champions of anything for a few years now. They are the 6th best team in England and beat the 2nd best German team last night. They are also the worst team to have won the competition in living memory.

In answer to your question, yes it runs alongside the regular national leagues. The champions of most European nations qualify, but some of the more successful nations have more places. For example, the top 4 teams from England and Spain qualify, top 3 from Italy, etc.

My personal opinion is that football has sold its soul to the champions league and I prefer how it was before, just the top team from each European league.

Should be called Champions Tournament or something... not really a league. Meh.

**Tim** · May 22nd, 2012, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by RyckyRych

Should be called Champions Tournament or something... not really a league. Meh.

Actually it starts as a league format consisting of 4 teams who play each other twice. Afterwards it becomes a typical knockout tournament. If you've ever watched the World Cup then it's a very similar setup.

**RyckyRych** · May 22nd, 2012, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by Tim

Actually it starts as a league format consisting of 4 teams who play each other twice. Afterwards it becomes a typical knockout tournament. If you've ever watched the World Cup then it's a very similar setup.

Do 2 of the 4 teams get eliminated after those 6 games? If so its a round robin tournament. Six games does not equal a league schedule in any case, IMO.

Its a tournament.

**Tim** · May 23rd, 2012, 12:47 AM

It's a double round-robin and the top 2 qualify for the knockout stages.

Yes, it's a tournament that's branded as the "Champions League".... formely known as simply the "European Cup".

**RyckyRych** · May 23rd, 2012, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by Tim

formely known as simply the "European Cup".

I like this better. Maybe they thought the World Cup was too important.

**texas_muck'em** · May 23rd, 2012, 03:34 PM

my 2 cents, the champions league is a tournament where, each country has its national league, the best teams from those leagues come together in a tournament, the tournament is much like the world cup, except twice the pool matches. then after the pool matches have determined a top two, those top two go into the knockout rounds.
If you happen to follow a particular team, it can be very exciting, but if you don't, then you're just watching to see good football. In the world cup you have the extra option of watching for the drama, passion and national pride, so the football doesn't need to be as good for the games to still be entertaining.
I believe the attitude in tims post about chelsea was, that chelsea didn't play good football, and he doesn't follow them.
for me, the drama and passion is the biggest draw to the game, closely followed by team brilliance (barcelona), and without those i couldn't care less.
but all is not lost, euro 2012 starts june 8, perfect.
wow about copa america spot kick debacle, players sinking into the earth because the spot was sand. pandemonium.

**Tim** · May 25th, 2012, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by texas_muck'em

I believe the attitude in tims post about chelsea was, that chelsea didn't play good football, and he doesn't follow them.

It's not that they play boring football. My reasons for disliking them are; scumbag players, moronic fans, and that they are bankrolled by a very dodgy billionaire Russian oligarch. I'm not alone here.... aside from Man Utd they are probably the most hated team in England.

Originally Posted by texas_muck'em

but all is not lost, euro 2012 starts june 8, perfect.

Yes, two weeks today.