[armiss]

I want Uefa cup (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)




http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/n...sid=723639.html

<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'>Slight editing of title and moved to the Football Discussions forum.
</span>

All talk about the 2008-2009 UEFA Cup here!

This post has been edited by m1ke: Jul 14 2008, 02:39 PM

[armiss]

Thanks tennie !!

[dst]

Damn! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif)

[Rossoneri7]

Damn! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif)

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Comon look at the bright side, at least its a cup Milan hasn't won yet (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[morgoth]

I too hope Milan wins it next year and join Barcelona, Bayern and the zebras. The only clubs that won all the 3 european cups.

[kurtsimonw]

Early odds for the winners, top 10 favourites.

1st - AC Milan 6/1
2nd - Sevilla 16/1
=2nd - Valencia 16/1
=2nd - Everton 16/1
=2nd - Tottenham 16/1
6th - Ajax 25/1
=6th - Hamburg 25/1
=6th - Man City 25/1
9th - Sampdoria 33/1
=9th - Aston Villa 33/1
=9th - Portsmouth 33/1
=9th - Stuttgart 33/1
=9th - Feyenoord 33/1
=9th - Benfica 33/1

So Milan are heavy favourites right from the start!

[Darunia]

None of those teams scare me, but I still don't see us winning.

Plus the 3rd place CL group teams will be in later on

This post has been edited by Darunia: Jun 21 2008, 03:24 AM

[Tennie]

I think a lot will depend on whether or not Milan will bring its A team or its B team to the Uefa Cup games. It's not unknown, at least in the early stages, for teams to rest the 'regular' starters for Uefa Cup games and if the league really is a top priority next year, I wouldn't be too surprised if that were to happen.

[kurtsimonw]

None of those teams scare me, but I still don't see us winning.

Plus the 3rd place CL group teams will be in later on

I generally think UEFA Cup teams > CL dropouts. There's usually an exception if somebody actually decent like Rangers gets knocked out, but usually it's average teams from average countries.

I think a lot will depend on whether or not Milan will bring its A team or its B team to the Uefa Cup games. It's not unknown, at least in the early stages, for teams to rest the 'regular' starters for Uefa Cup games and if the league really is a top priority next year, I wouldn't be too surprised if that were to happen.

I think Miln will go for the league. Then again, the UEFA Cup could be an excellent excuse not to buy anybody. Buy nobody, do average in the league, win the UEFA Cup. And there we go, it's a succesful season.

[arivanjj]

Final is in Istanbul! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[dst]

I want us to face Aston Villa. At least then it will be interesting cause otherwise I don't really care!

Final is in Istanbul! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

... (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) ... (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[kurtsimonw]

I want us to face Aston Villa. At least then it will be interesting cause otherwise I don't really care!

I hope that doesn't happen. So in a way, I want milan out of the UEFA Cup!

[Tennie]

Milan's first game in the UEFA Cup campaign will be on September 18. The return leg, which will be played at the San Siro, will be on October 2.

The draw for that round of play will be made on August 29. (This follows the first two preliminary rounds).

link

[kurtsimonw]

Milan start September 18th!? We start our campaign mid-July.. it's gonna be a long season. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[han2503]

Early odds for the winners, top 10 favourites.

1st - AC Milan 6/1   
2nd - Sevilla 16/1   
=2nd - Valencia 16/1   
=2nd - Everton 16/1   
=2nd - Tottenham 16/1   
6th - Ajax 25/1 
=6th - Hamburg 25/1   
=6th - Man City 25/1   
9th - Sampdoria 33/1   
=9th - Aston Villa 33/1 
=9th - Portsmouth 33/1
=9th - Stuttgart 33/1
=9th - Feyenoord 33/1
=9th - Benfica 33/1

So Milan are heavy favourites right from the start!

Well that spells our doom right away... (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Personally would like to see Ajax win it. And as Tennie said, if we are actually serious about the league I can't see us going all out to win this. But it could be great seeing us trying to go for both, but personally I don't think our team can handle both competitions, even if the UEFA Cup compared to the CL is much more easier in terms of teams we will play against

Final is in Istanbul! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

This made me laugh for some reason. Imagine us going to the final there again, even though it's not the CL I would still hope that we could win a final there. Or maybe the stadium is cursed for us

[amancik]

But don't be surprised if we get both!
Forza Milan!
I look forward to next season!

[acid911]

I won't mind the UEFA Cup along with the League. Yum, yum. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) Another thing to add to our title list.

[dst]

This made me laugh for some reason. Imagine us going to the final there again, even though it's not the CL I would still hope that we could win a final there. Or maybe the stadium is cursed for us

I would not say it's cursed... Shee-va scored 4 there the season after the final. It's not cursed anyway... if I believed in God I'd say he fell asleep that night and did not even watch the game on replay... otherwise he would have certainly changed the result!

But... thank God I'm an atheist! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[han2503]

I would not say it's cursed... Shee-va scored 4 there the season after the final. It's not cursed anyway... if I believed in God I'd say he fell asleep that night and did not even watch the game on replay... otherwise he would have certainly changed the result!

But... thank God I'm an atheist! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

This post has been edited by han2503: Jun 23 2008, 10:38 AM

[Rossoneri7]

Mediaset has placed a bid to the rights for exclusivity of the UEFA cup matches in Italy. Mediaset has never bid for such rights before, but as it seems, the Berlusconi family doesn't want Milan to be left alone, but at least followed by TV ...

[han2503]

Mediaset has placed a bid to the rights for exclusivity of the UEFA cup matches in Italy. Mediaset has never bid for such rights before, but as it seems, the Berlusconi family doesn't want Milan to be left alone, but at least followed by TV ...

Great news, hopefully they'll get the rights

[kurtsimonw]

Uefa Cup 'set for new name'

Football bosses set to overhaul 'second class competition'

The Uefa Cup could be on the verge of being re-branded.

It could soon be called the Uefa Europa League as football's bosses seek to give the competition fresh appeal.

European soccer's governing body Uefa is considering the name change as it seeks to reverse a feeling it has become 'a second class competition'.

The proposed name change was revealed by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the acting chairman of the new European Clubs Association, whose organisation was presented with the proposal on Monday.

Refreshment
Rummenigge said: "The hope is that a refreshment of the name and brand can help achieve better results than we've seen in the Uefa Cup in the past.

"There has been a general impression that it has become a second-class competition and that we should get back to how it was ten or 15 years ago."

Uefa's executive committee is set to vote on the name change when it meets in Bordeaux in September.

Confirming the vote, a senior Uefa source added the new name was meant to better reflect the new group stage system being used in the competition from the 2009-10 season.

Copy

This new system is a direct copy of UEFA's more successful Champions League competition and will see the dropping of the unpopular five-team groups in which teams play each opponent just once either home or away in favour of a simpler home and away system.

In another lesson learned from the lucrative Champions League, UEFA will also be marketing the competition centrally from 2009.

Sky Sports

UEFA Europa League.. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[dst]

They can call it Pam's Boobs Cup and make her boobs the logo of it. Still nothing would change... it still would be thought of as a second-class competition cause simply that's what it is...

And we're in it! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

This post has been edited by dst: Jul 8 2008, 02:25 PM

[kurtsimonw]

They can call it Pam's Boobs Cup and make her boobs the logo of it. Still nothing would change... it still would be thought of as a second-class competition cause simply that's what it is...

And we're in it! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

The European Cup is a 2nd rate competition nowadays. Apparently finishing 4th in a league makes you a "Champion" (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I'll not respect that competition again until only the holders + league winners are in it.. and maybe the domestic cup winners, otherwise it's stupid.

[Jako19]

Agreed.. but the compatition seems to get better and better in the uefa cup.. or Pam's Boobs Cup.. or whatever each year. I mean in my view Bayern Munich was a very solid team last year and still couldnt win it. Granite they got eliminated by the Champions.

[dst]

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

The European Cup is a 2nd rate competition nowadays. Apparently finishing 4th in a league makes you a "Champion" (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I'll not respect that competition again until only the holders + league winners are in it.. and maybe the domestic cup winners, otherwise it's stupid.

2nd rate? How is it second rate? It'd certainly be more fair if each country's champion team entered but then the quality would be significantly lower.
You said some time ago that you think the Euro is stronger than the WC cause in the WC there are more small teams...
Well I think this is the case here too... if only champions were allowed then the difficulty of the competition would be lower.
So when you talk about 2nd rate, what do you mean? Second rate in terms of quality? I totally disagree with you on that! If you mean second rate in terms oh how accurately the name of it the competition subscribes its participants then yeah...
But really... second rate compared to what? It's the competition in which the strongest teams of Europe take part? Does the name annoy you so much? What if it was called European Cup again, would anything change?

Agreed.. but the compatition seems to get better and better in the uefa cup.. or Pam's Boobs Cup..  or whatever each year.  I mean in my view Bayern Munich was a very solid team last year and still couldnt win it.  Granite they got eliminated by the Champions.

It is a very good competition in terms of quality and it's there that you I think you get to see more great matches but I do think of it as a not prestigious competition anyway...

[LaPalma]

I don't think the UEFA Cup will have to stay a 2nd rate competition. 10-15 years ago it was a highly respected and prestigious trophy.
And of course there's still a lot of big teams playing there. Not Champions League big...but this year it has Milan, Valencia, Samp, Sevilla and Hamburg.

[kurtsimonw]

You said some time ago that you think the Euro is stronger than the WC cause in the WC there are more small teams...

And the Champions League is like the World Cup. Too many small teams, so I'm being consistant with my opinion. The old European Cup didn't have many small teams - only those that were fortunate enough to win their league title, that's why I prefer that format, that's all I'm saying.

But really... second rate compared to what?

2nd rate doesn't mean you have to be 2nd best to something in my opinion. Like some would consider Celtic and Rangers 2nd rate teams, yet they're two of the most - if not THE most - succesful teams in the history of the sport.

Does the name annoy you so much? What if it was called European Cup again, would anything change?

The name doesn't annoy me, I just think it sounds stupid.

I don't think the UEFA Cup will have to stay a 2nd rate competition. 10-15 years ago it was a highly respected and prestigious trophy.
And of course there's still a lot of big teams playing there. Not Champions League big...but this year it has Milan, Valencia, Samp, Sevilla and Hamburg.

I've always seen the UEFA Cup as a decent trophy. Look at some of the teams that've won it recently - Porto and Sevilla inparticular - and they're hardly crap sides. One nearly won La Liga, the other won the European Cup.

[acid911]

I don't think the UEFA Cup will have to stay a 2nd rate competition. 10-15 years ago it was a highly respected and prestigious trophy.
And of course there's still a lot of big teams playing there. Not Champions League big...but this year it has Milan, Valencia, Samp, Sevilla and Hamburg.

Exactly. And don't forget the CL dropouts who'll join in after the group stages. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It's no cigar, but I'll smoke it. Particularly now that Milan is in it this year.

[dst]

And the Champions League is like the World Cup. Too many small teams, so I'm being consistant with my opinion. The old European Cup didn't have many small teams - only those that were fortunate enough to win their league title, that's why I prefer that format, that's all I'm saying.

Considering the number of teams that enter the final stage of the competition there's no doubt that it's as powerful as it gets. It's a fact that for example Moldova's champions are not a better team than Italy's / Spain's / England's 4th team...
The only way to increase the quality of the competition is to lessen the number of teams allowed to participate. Then only the truly great teams would be allowed to enter... but in my opinion the 36 that get in are rightfully there.
I still don't understand how you'd like things to be though. Would you care explain?

I really can't see why you say the CL is 2nd rate... it's the most prestigious competition and every single player longs to play in it... your own Barry said he wants Liverpool in order to play CL football. It surely is CL football he is after cause he does not have more chances to win the PL with Liverpool than he has with Villa... (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

As for Celtic and Rangers, they are considered 2nd rate because their championship is considered 2nd rate, 1st rate being Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga.
Same for Ajax. They have won so many but still they are now low in prestige because the Dutch league is comparatively weak.

Exactly. And don't forget the CL dropouts who'll join in after the group stages. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) It's no cigar, but I'll smoke it. Particularly now that Milan is in it this year.

This is one of the reasons I don't rate the UEFA Cup... it's like... OK you are not good enough for the CL... so we send you to the UEFA Cup...

[Jako19]

If i were to rate the Uefa cup.. i see it pretty much at the second(lesser) champion of europe.. It gives teams like Zenit, Galatasaray, & Feyenoord a chance to win something in europe because we all know they would not have enough depth in their squad to truely compete in the CL

[acid911]

This is one of the reasons I don't rate the UEFA Cup... it's like... OK you are not good enough for the CL... so we send you to the UEFA Cup...

Well, unless they completely revamped it, to be something like a true Champions League (with home and away matches, instead of a tournament), and then devise another as the European Cup, we'll have to live with it. Having a true League format will mean much more $$$, so maybe we'll see the idea go through.

Milan won't do so well in that format, then. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) Leagues and Milan don't go hand in hand. It's the knockout style tournament that's our forte. Much like Liverstools.

[kurtsimonw]

Considering the number of teams that enter the final stage of the competition there's no doubt that it's as powerful as it gets. It's a fact that for example Moldova's champions are not a better team than Italy's / Spain's / England's 4th team...

The latter stages of a competition means nothing, it's the competition as a whole. In this format you get about 20 crappys teams, in the European Cup format, alot, lot less.

The only way to increase the quality of the competition is to lessen the number of teams allowed to participate. Then only the truly great teams would be allowed to enter... but in my opinion the 36 that get in are rightfully there.

I still don't understand how you'd like things to be though. Would you care explain?

The way they were before. Because it's getting 'too easy' to forfeit your own league to do well in the Champions League - like Liverpool and Milan have done alot recently. In modern day football, there aren't too many teams who have won the league to earn their right into the competition, then done well in the league AND Champions League the next season. Does it not seem stupid to you that Liverpool were the best team in Europe a few years ago, while being the 5th best team in their own league?

I really can't see why you say the CL is 2nd rate... it's the most prestigious competition and every single player longs to play in it... your own Barry said he wants Liverpool in order to play CL football. It surely is CL football he is after cause he does not have more chances to win the PL with Liverpool than he has with Villa...  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Of course they want to play in it, but I bet that it'd be considered even more prestigious if only the league winners got in it. Because you wouldn't take it for granted when you are in it, even Chelsea and United players would really appreciate it, but in its current format they have as much chance of winning the Champions League as they do the Carling Cup.

Then again, on here I'm talking to people who get to see their team play in the Champions League year after year, and even being in the UEFA Cup is considered a massive failure, so I'm not sure you get it really.

As for Celtic and Rangers, they are considered 2nd rate because their championship is considered 2nd rate, 1st rate being Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga.
Same for Ajax. They have won so many but still they are now low in prestige because the Dutch league is comparatively weak.

But then you're saying that crappy teams in Serie A are better than Celtic/Rangers, which is not the case. Because they're in a first rate league they must be a first rate team, surely?

[dst]

The latter stages of a competition means nothing, it's the competition as a whole. In this format you get about 20 crappys teams, in the European Cup format, alot, lot less.

I don't get what you mean here.

The way they were before. Because it's getting 'too easy' to forfeit your own league to do well in the Champions League - like Liverpool and Milan have done alot recently. In modern day football, there aren't too many teams who have won the league to earn their right into the competition, then done well in the league AND Champions League the next season. Does it not seem stupid to you that Liverpool were the best team in Europe a few years ago, while being the 5th best team in their own league?

You see, I don't link the CL with the domestic championships this way. I mean... certainly, to me, Milan winning it in '07 and Liverpool in '05 while doing crap in the league is not the same as United winning both or even Chelsea challenging for both. But the competition itself is not less challenging because teams tend to do that. If anything, it's more challenging. What I'm saying is, the clubs make their own choices and I don't agree with focusing on one target but their choices on this matter don't spoil the competition.

And I'm with you, I'd love it if only champions entered but only in a 16 team format with a ranking system as in Tennis. Otherwise it'd be utter crap.
But by the way things are I think the competition is very strong and very high in quality. I don't know what you mean by 2nd rate but to me it sounds bad and I certainly don't think the CL is anything but a great competition.
I think you are stuck with the idea that only champions should enter? Why should only the champions enter? Is it meant to be just for those teams? Why shouldn't more teams have a chance? Why are lower league teams allowed to participate in the domestic cups, do they not deserve to?
If the CL should only be for the champions then by the same logic the FA Cup should only be for Premier League clubs. The other have nothing to do with it, they are of lower quality...

Of course they want to play in it, but I bet that it'd be considered even more prestigious if only the league winners got in it. Because you wouldn't take it for granted when you are in it, even Chelsea and United players would really appreciate it, but in its current format they have as much chance of winning the Champions League as they do the Carling Cup.

Agreed. I understand what you're saying. That's why, even if I despise Real, I always thought that what they did back when the EC first took place was amazing.

But then you're saying that crappy teams in Serie A are better than Celtic/Rangers, which is not the case. Because they're in a first rate league they must be a first rate team, surely?

Rangers played Serie A's fourth team, Fiorentina in the semis of the UEFA Cup last season. They were not worse than the Viola but they were not better either...
I think the differences have widened and now the gap in quality is huge between the top leagues and the rest of them. There are only one or two good teams in them and even those are not better/much better than the top leagues' top 4 or 5 teams. And I'm talking about the mid-quality championships. The rest cannot even be compared.

[kurtsimonw]

I don't get what you mean here.

You said something to do with only the real powerful teams make the latter stages of the competition, but that means nothing to me really. Powerful teams can make the latter stages of any domestic competition too.

I don't get what you mean here.

You see, I don't link the CL with the domestic championships this way. I mean... certainly, to me, Milan winning it in '07 and Liverpool in '05 while doing crap in the league is not the same as United winning both or even Chelsea challenging for both. But the competition itself is not less challenging because teams tend to do that. If anything, it's more challenging. What I'm saying is, the clubs make their own choices and I don't agree with focusing on one target but their choices on this matter don't spoil the competition.

I sort of agree with what you're saying, but I don't think it's right that you win that tournement while doing bad in your league. In my view you have to win the league the previous season (To qualify for it by right in my eyes) or win the league in the same season, otherwise I consider it a '2nd rate win'. That's just how I feel.

If the CL should only be for the champions then by the same logic the FA Cup should only be for Premier League clubs. The other have nothing to do with it, they are of lower quality...

No, the FA Cup is the Football Association Cup, so anybody who is a member of the FA can enter. The League Cup on the other hand is only for league teams, so the ametuers can't enter. So this makes sense to me.

Rangers played Serie A's fourth team, Fiorentina in the semis of the UEFA Cup last season. They were not worse than the Viola but they were not better either...

Celtic beat Man U the other year, Fenerbahce beat Sevilla this season. So it doesn't always work that way.

I think the differences have widened and now the gap in quality is huge between the top leagues and the rest of them. There are only one or two good teams in them and even those are not better/much better than the top leagues' top 4 or 5 teams. And I'm talking about the mid-quality championships. The rest cannot even be compared.

Winning a league is winning a league. If teams that finish 2nd in Italy, Spain and England think they deserve the spot more than somebody that wins the Maltese championship then there's just one thing to tell them. Shut up and win your own league, simple as that.

But that's the problem with todays football. The World only cares about the best teams in the best leagues. Not only does a team that finishes 4th in Italy/England/Spain get into the Champions League, they get seeded as well! Not only that, but they have a group stage, as an insurance policy that if they do have a bad game, they still have plenty of time to qualify, whereas in a knockout competition, a bad game means you'll probably go out.

That's jus my opinion. I believe it should just be the league Champions + the holder of the competition in a straight draw knockout with no seeds. But UEFA is too bothered about protecting it's favoured countries and teams, so it'll never happen.

[dst]

You said something to do with only the real powerful teams make the latter stages of the competition, but that means nothing to me really. Powerful teams can make the latter stages of any domestic competition too.

By final stage I meant from September onwards... you really think that out of the 32 team that participate 20 of them are crap? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)
Then that means 4 of the teams that make the final 16 are also crap... that can't be right...

I sort of agree with what you're saying, but I don't think it's right that you win that tournement while doing bad in your league. In my view you have to win the league the previous season (To qualify for it by right in my eyes) or win the league in the same season, otherwise I consider it a '2nd rate win'. That's just how I feel.

Yeah, that's how I feel too.

No, the FA Cup is the Football Association Cup, so anybody who is a member of the FA can enter. The League Cup on the other hand is only for league teams, so the ametuers can't enter. So this makes sense to me.

Now this is what I meant when I said you stick to the title... what if the CL was called the UEFA Cup? Then would it be right that every team should have a chance in it, including non-league winners?
It's just how they call it, the competition in its essence is just the same.

Celtic beat Man U the other year, Fenerbahce beat Sevilla this season. So it doesn't always work that way.

Yes it works both ways because the teams under discussion are not so far apart in terms of quality.
In terms of quality I think the way the teams are picked is the right one. Of course I'm a romantic and like you I'd like to see only the champions in it but that certainly would be a downsize in quality.
I've talking about quality right from the start here, not how things should be.

Winning a league is winning a league. If teams that finish 2nd in Italy, Spain and England think they deserve the spot more than somebody that wins the Maltese championship then there's just one thing to tell them. Shut up and win your own league, simple as that.

It's all a matter of how you look at it.
In terms of quality the 2nd/3rd/4th team in those competitions are much stronger than the Maltese champions.
In terms of achievement it's the same. I don't think the Maltese champions would be able to finish in the same position as they do.
But in terms of the heart and core of football the champions are champions and the Maltese champions should get a place.

It's only a matter of what the criteria is. Right now, the criteria is quality of the team and that's what you disagree with it, isn't it?

But that's the problem with todays football. The World only cares about the best teams in the best leagues. Not only does a team that finishes 4th in Italy/England/Spain get into the Champions League, they get seeded as well! Not only that, but they have a group stage, as an insurance policy that if they do have a bad game, they still have plenty of time to qualify, whereas in a knockout competition, a bad game means you'll probably go out.

That's jus my opinion. I believe it should just be the league Champions + the holder of the competition in a straight draw knockout with no seeds. But UEFA is too bothered about protecting it's favoured countries and teams, so it'll never happen.

To me it's not a problem. I'd enjoy the competition in any case... for different reasons.

[kurtsimonw]

It's only a matter of what the criteria is. Right now, the criteria is quality of the team and that's what you disagree with it, isn't it?

To me it's not a problem. I'd enjoy the competition in any case... for different reasons.

Sort of, yes.

I still enjoy it, but it's easier to enjoy it if you support Milan as they're one of the 'protected' teams. While Villa will rarely ever qualify, and when we do will probably be put in a group with 2 top teams, instead of maybe getting a fairer draw if it was done properly, so there's almost no point in most teams qualifying.

[dst]

I still enjoy it, but it's easier to enjoy it if you support Milan as they're one of the 'protected' teams. While Villa will rarely ever qualify, and when we do will probably be put in a group with 2 top teams, instead of maybe getting a fairer draw if it was done properly, so there's almost no point in most teams qualifying.

It has nothing to do with Milan. I will be still enjoying it next season... and I surely had great time watching the latter stages when Milan were knocked out last season.
I even said I would not watch the Chelski vs Football's Britney Spears encounters cause the I was disappointed by their previous clashes but I still could not do it... and I like neither of those two teams.

In my opinion there should be no draws. They should do what's been done in Tennis, even in the group stage.

[kurtsimonw]

In my opinion there should be no draws. They should do what's been done in Tennis, even in the group stage.

That wouldn't be the worst idea ever.

But we have jack@sses in charge of UEFA, well, they're not quite at the level of a jack@ss yet, they're not that good.

[Jako19]

Haha personally I think there should be no draws in football at all.. I hate them, and I hate P.K's, I think they should play untill some one scores and truly wins. But maybe thats just cuz im American and none of our major sports ever end in ties.

[kurtsimonw]

No penalties!? Even though we suck at them, I don't think anything creates more drama in the sporting World than a penalty shoot-out!

[Jako19]

Drama, no nothing compares. But a true winner, i dont think so, example of this would be Rangers vs Florintina. Rangers didnt even attack it pissed me off so much cuz they knew that they had a better chance winning in pks than actually playing football the way its supposed to be played

[kurtsimonw]

But even if you had that 'next goal wins' scenario, it could still be the same. Fiorentina could dominate the whole game, then Rangers score a fluke goal and win it, that's no different to penalties, except with penalties you have 5 chances to make amends, with next goal wins, there's no chances.

[dst]

Penalties or not, I would not really mind. Like Kurt said, the drama in it is immense but I think it's an unfair way to end a tie. What I think should be done if a game ends in a draw is a repeat of the game if it is possible (like in a final) or extra time periods of 25 or so minutes with 3 substitutions allowed in each one and even a player substituted allowed to come on again from the 2nd period onwards. Or maybe that's just crazy. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Jako19]

No that does not sound crazy at all that similar to the idea i was thinking about. I guess im not a fan of Pk's cuz two years in a row my team lost in the state finals on Pk's when the team we were playing had like 2 shots on goal the whole game. I would rather lose on a fluke goal cuz then some one ligitamently scored. And when Milan lost to L.P on Pks i got sick for like a week.

[kurtsimonw]

Villa just played their InterToto game against Odense, finished 2-2 in the away leg.
-Carew gave us the lead after 7 minutes.
-Sidwell had a debut, not to remember, putting into his own net, thought he couldn't do much about it to be fair.
-Laursen scored with 15 remaining to put us 2-1 up in his homeland.
-A really over-the-top dive from former Villan Djemba-Djemba somehow wins him a free-kick, which they put in the box and scre from in the last minute!

Bad refereeing by this Italian guy, looked like an ametuer. Not sure he made one correct deicision from either team.

Should wrap it up at home.

[Tennie]

Napoli won their game away at Panionios, 0-1. Goal by Bogliacino. Napoli's Rinaudo was red-carded 15 minutes from time. Note: they didn't have Lavezzi in the squad for this one.

[Rossoneri7]

Napoli won their game away at Panionios, 0-1. Goal by Bogliacino. Napoli's Rinaudo was red-carded 15 minutes from time. Note: they didn't have Lavezzi in the squad for this one.

Napoli are a good team. I would expect them to have a good season

[kurtsimonw]

InterToto Finals, 2nd leg.

Tavriya Symferopol 1 - 0 Rennes
[1-1 on agg. Rennes win 10-9 on pens.]
Aston Villa 1 - 0 OB Odense
[Villa win 3-2 on agg.]
FC Vaslui 2 - 0 FK Neftchi
[Vaslui win 3-2 on agg.]
Burgas 0 - 1 Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers win 4-0 on agg.]
Braga 3 - 0 Sivasspor
[Braga win 5-0 on agg.]
Budapest Honved 1 - 2 Sturm Graz
[Graz win 2-1 on agg.]
Deportivo La Coruna 1 - 0 Bnei Sachnin
[Deportivo win 3-1 on agg.]
Napoli 1 - 0 Panionios
[Napoli win 2-0 on agg.]

And for those that haven't seen it. Freddie Bouma's knee/ankle horrible injury HERE. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/puke.gif)

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Jul 27 2008, 02:51 AM

[jefri91]

forza naopli, its always great to see an italian club winning except for the merda ofcourse

[KillerMax]

forza naopli, its always great to see an italian club winning except for the merda ofcourse

Love the avatar buddy. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Zed.D]

And for those that haven't seen it. Freddie Bouma's knee/ankle horrible injury HERE. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/puke.gif)

Oh my ******* god! (IMG:http://qsmile.com/qsimages/65.gif)

[acid911]

And for those that haven't seen it. Freddie Bouma's knee/ankle horrible injury HERE.

Looks bad. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Very bad. That's got to hurt.

[kurtsimonw]

Initially it was said that he'd be back pretty much on christmas day, but things are worse than first thought and it looks like he won't be playing in a competitive game until sometime around February. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[Tennie]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif) That's awful, Kurt.

Get well soon, Freddie!

[LaPalma]

Stuttgart won their UI-Cup match against Saturn Ramenskoje (after loosing 0-1 in the first leg) with 3-0 after extra time. Beautiful free kick from Jan Simak in the 83rd minute saved them in the first place. Stuttgart then had the momentum and sealed the win during extra time. Two goals by Ciprian Marica. they were still playing without their Euro participants, namely Hitz (Also Stuttgarts new captain), Gomez, Lehmann and Boularouz.

[kurtsimonw]

Damn. I think we were the highest seed for the next round if it werent' for them winning. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[Tennie]

Here's the UEFA Cup second qualifying round draw.

First leg: 14 August
Second leg: 28 August

NK Široki Brijeg (BIH) v Beşiktaş JK (TUR)
SC Braga (POR) v NK Zrinjski (BIH)
PFC Lokomotiv Sofia (BUL) v FK Borac (SRB)
FK Vojvodina (SRB) v Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC (ISR)
Aris Thessaloniki FC (GRE) v NK Slaven Koprivnica (CRO)
PFC Litex Lovech (BUL) v Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona FC (ISR)
RC Deportivo La Coruña (ESP) v HNK Hajduk Split (CRO)
APOEL FC (CYP) v FK Crvena Zvezda (SRB)
KS Vllaznia (ALB) v SSC Napoli (ITA)
Maccabi Netanya FC (ISR) v PFC Cherno More Varna (BUL)
AC Omonia (CYP) v AEK Athens FC (GRE)
SK Liepájas Metalurgs (LVA) v SC Vaslui (ROU)
FC Zürich (SUI) v SK Sturm Graz (AUT)
VfB Stuttgart (GER) v Győri ETO FC (HUN)
KKS Lech Poznań (POL) v Grasshopper-Club (SUI)
FC Slovan Liberec (CZE) v MŠK Žilina (SVK)
FC WIT Georgia (GEO) v FK Austria Wien (AUT)
BSC Young Boys (SUI) v Debreceni VSC (HUN)
Legia Warszawa (POL) v FC Moskva (RUS)
FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (UKR) v AC Bellinzona (SUI)
NK IB Ljubljana (SVN) v Hertha BSC Berlin (GER)
FK Sūduva (LTU) v FC Salzburg (AUT)
Djurgårdens IF FF (SWE) v Rosenborg BK (NOR)
Queen of the South FC (SCO) v FC Nordsjælland (DEN)
KAA Gent (BEL) v Kalmar FF (SWE)
Manchester City FC (ENG) v FC Midtjylland (DEN)
FC Honka Espoo (FIN) v Viking FK (NOR)
FC Haka (FIN) v Brøndby IF (DEN)
Stabæk IF (NOR) v Stade Rennais FC (FRA)
FC København (DEN) v Lillestrøm SK (NOR)
IF Elfsborg (SWE) v Saint Patrick's Athletic FC (IRL)
Aston Villa FC (ENG) v FH Hafnarfjördur (ISL)

[kurtsimonw]

Our opponents want to switch the tie so that they come to England for the 2nd leg, seems very strange as I'd much prefer to have the 2nd leg at home, so they're doing us a favour really.

As for their name, Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar, God help the English commentators that do our game. (IMG:http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/5002/laughdp2.gif)

[Tennie]

You should get a recording of it, Kurt, for humor's sake. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[milanista1899]

As for their name, Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar, God help the English commentators that do our game. (IMG:http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/5002/laughdp2.gif)

They called them F&H on Five yesterday & apparently the H is pronounced I or something like that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Tennie]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/read.gif) Where's Kurt? Did he take one of the fishing trawlers up to Iceland?

I'm curious to see his reaction to the lineups announced for Villa's gam today v. FH Hafnarfjordur - Gareth Barry is included, which makes him cup tied until after the winter break.

[Rossoneri7]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/read.gif) Where's Kurt? Did he take one of the fishing trawlers up to Iceland?

I'm curious to see his reaction to the lineups announced for Villa's gam today v. FH Hafnarfjordur - Gareth Barry is included, which makes him cup tied until after the winter break.

If he doesn't play, he would be able to play with Liverpool .. But that is if they r still after him.

[Tennie]

Here, according to BBC, are the starting lineups:

FH Hafnarfjordur: Gunnar Sigurdsson, Eiriksson, Bjorn Sverrisson, Valgardsson, Nielsen, Gudnason, Vidarsson, Siim, Vihjalmsson, Matthias Gudmundsson, Tryggvi Gudmundsson.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Gardner, Davies, Laursen, Shorey, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Harewood, Agbonlahor

[kurtsimonw]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/read.gif) Where's Kurt? Did he take one of the fishing trawlers up to Iceland?

I'm curious to see his reaction to the lineups announced for Villa's gam today v. FH Hafnarfjordur - Gareth Barry is included, which makes him cup tied until after the winter break.

Nope, I don't have enough pennies to afford things like that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Gareth Barry told the club yesterday he was "Ready, willing and able" to play tonight. I'm sure he knows very well what the implications of him appearing tonight mean, and that he seems happy to stay with the club. Liverpool weren't willing to pay up £18m for him, now there's no chance for it.

What peeves me the most is they have came out and say they are not willing to pay £18m. So in my view, they should also say they're ending their interest in him, since we're not budging from our price and have told them countless times. But instead, they release statements saying they still want him. Pretty disgraceful really. Either pay up or shut up.. they do neither. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Hopefully we win, comfortabley. But you never know against these kinds of teams what to expect. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[kurtsimonw]

FT FH 1-4 Villa
-Barry, Young, Agbonlahor & Laursen with our goals.
-They created a few chances, deserved a goal.

Some other results

Haka Valkeakoski 0 - 4 Brondby
Legia Warsaw 1 - 2 FC Moscow
Stuttgart 2 - 1 Gyor
APOEL Nicosia 2 - 2 Red Star Belgrade
Djurgarden 2 - 1 Rosenborg
Stabaek 2 - 1 Rennes
Young Boys Bern 4 - 1 Debrecen
FC Copenhagen 3 - 1 Lillestrom
Zurich 1 - 1 Sturm Graz
AEK Athens 0 - 1 Omonia Nicosia
Siroki Brijeg 1 - 2 Besiktas
Lech Poznan 6 - 0 Grasshoppers
Vllaznia 0 - 3 Napoli
Man City 0 - 1 FC Midtjylland (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Aug 14 2008, 09:49 PM

[misha]

Liverpool still would be able to use Barry in the CL. You can include one player from Uefa cup if they'll sign him eventually

This post has been edited by misha: Aug 14 2008, 10:28 PM

[Locke Lamora]

FT FH 1-4 Villa
-Barry, Young, Agbonlahor & Laursen with our goals.
-They created a few chances, deserved a goal.

Some other results

Haka Valkeakoski 0 - 4 Brondby
Legia Warsaw 1 - 2 FC Moscow
Stuttgart 2 - 1 Gyor
APOEL Nicosia 2 - 2 Red Star Belgrade
Djurgarden 2 - 1 Rosenborg
Stabaek 2 - 1 Rennes
Young Boys Bern 4 - 1 Debrecen
FC Copenhagen 3 - 1 Lillestrom
Zurich 1 - 1 Sturm Graz
AEK Athens 0 - 1 Omonia Nicosia
Siroki Brijeg 1 - 2 Besiktas
Lech Poznan 6 - 0 Grasshoppers
Vllaznia 0 - 3 Napoli
Man City 0 - 1 FC Midtjylland (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I hope Red Star Belgrade makes it through...
Anyway, Lillestrøm is surely out, Stabæk should make it an Rosenborg only needs to win 1-0 at home and SHOULD make it.

[Tennie]

^^ Wait. So twice in two days Cypriot teams beat Greek teams? Is that in any way normal?

[kurtsimonw]

Liverpool still would be able to use Barry in the CL. You can include one player from Uefa cup if they'll sign him eventually

That's not what I've heard. Sky Sports and BBC both say say he can not play in the Champions League until it starts back up again in February.

[Tennie]

Sky's right on this one. If Barry were to transfer to the Scousers tomorrow, he wouldn't be able to play in any CL games for them until the end of the winter transfer market.

[misha]

The tournament really starts in February anyway (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Fillipo Simone]

Nice start by Napoli. I wish them a long and good run in the UEFA cup/league.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[kurtsimonw]

Man City have just saved themself huge embarassment. After losing the home leg 1-0 to Midjetallynd (or something like that), they've been out-played for 90 minutes in the away leg.. then Ched Evenas misses his header, it bounces off one of the Danish guys and goes in. Fluke own goal to save them from humiliation in the last minute.

[kurtsimonw]

FT 0-1. (1-1 agg.)

Penalties..

[han2503]

At what time will the draw be tomorrow?

[Giancarlo]

If Man City won that PK shoot out... they are so lucky. They were awful from what I heard...

[kurtsimonw]

City win 4-2 on penalties.. completely undeserved. Not sure what time the draw is.

Villa have to hold on to a 4-1 lead at home to FH. Fingers crossed we'll make it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Giancarlo]

City win 4-2 on penalties.. completely undeserved. Not sure what time the draw is.

Villa have to hold on to a 4-1 lead at home to FH. Fingers crossed we'll make it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Hopefully Villa and City meet in this tournament... and you guys teach them a lesson.

[Fillipo Simone]

FT 0-1. (1-1 agg.)

Penalties..

How is it getting along?

[kurtsimonw]

Hopefully Villa and City meet in this tournament... and you guys teach them a lesson.

We have a terrible record against City, besides the game the other week. Hopefully they get Milan, City would get killed!

Though I'm not a Milan fan in the UEFA Cup, a conflict of interest for me..

How is it getting along?

City won 4-2. Corluka scored the winner. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Giancarlo]

We have a terrible record against City, besides the game the other week. Hopefully they get Milan, City would get killed!

Though I'm not a Milan fan in the UEFA Cup, a conflict of interest for me..

Hmm... well maybe time to change that even more. I want City to be beaten... they just annoy me... it's mostly their chairman... if we had our full strength squad against City they would be finished.

And I hear you about the conflict of interest... would suck if it was Milan-Villa in the final heheh...

[vahid]

Which stream will show the draw?

[Fillipo Simone]

We have a terrible record against City, besides the game the other week. Hopefully they get Milan, City would get killed!

Though I'm not a Milan fan in the UEFA Cup, a conflict of interest for me..


City won 4-2. Corluka scored the winner. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

At least some satisfaction. How was Charlie anyway in the whole match?

[Rossoneri7]

would suck if it was Milan-Villa in the final heheh...

Would be very interesting in milanfan if Milan vs Villa fixture arises (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[kurtsimonw]

At least some satisfaction. How was Charlie anyway in the whole match?

He was about City's best player. He and Hart bailed the rest of the team out a few times, it could easily have been 3/4-0 to their opponents.

Would be very interesting in milanfan if Milan vs Villa fixture arises (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

It would be indeed!

HT Villa 1-1 FH (5-2 agg.)
-Craig Gardner with our goal! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

In a weird way I don't want us to really kill them, alot of their fans have been on the Villa forums saying how huge this game for them is, apparently the biggest team they've faced previously was Dunfermline! So it will be nice for their fans (Some very nice girl at the game, by the way! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ) go away with a half decent result! I still want to win of course.. but not to the point of humiliation.

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Aug 28 2008, 08:50 PM

[Locke Lamora]

Rosenborg just tore Swedish Djurgarden apart 5-0, 6-2 on aggregate. THAT, my friends, is humiliation.

[whoarethepatriot...]

I think the draw is at 13:00 CET or maybe GMT

Its definitely a noon draw

[kurtsimonw]

Rosenborg just tore Swedish Djurgarden apart 5-0, 6-2 on aggregate. THAT, my friends, is humiliation.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

I thought Djurgaden were meant to be half decent as well!

Villa finished 1-1 (5-2 agg.), not the greatest performance from an 'experimental' side, but it'll do. Any European game is great, it's been way too long since we last had it. But with the luck we've had lately, we'll probably draw some ridiculously good team tomorrow!

[Giancarlo]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

I thought Djurgaden were meant to be half decent as well!

Villa finished 1-1 (5-2 agg.), not the greatest performance from an 'experimental' side, but it'll do. Any European game is great, it's been way too long since we last had it. But with the luck we've had lately, we'll probably draw some ridiculously good team tomorrow!

Milan? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I better stop saying it, or I might jinx the situation.

Or possibly Napoli... that would suck too... Napoli trashed Villaznia... 5-0... to go through on the aggregate 8-0...

[kurtsimonw]

I think the draw is split into two - North and South - then there are seeded and unseeded teams. I think Villa are in the north group, and seeded. I would presume Milan and Napoli would be in the south, so we won't get either. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Giancarlo]

I think the draw is split into two - North and South - then there are seeded and unseeded teams. I think Villa are in the north group, and seeded. I would presume Milan and Napoli would be in the south, so we won't get either. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Heheheh... Everton? Or maybe even Tottenham heheh?

This post has been edited by Giancarlo: Aug 28 2008, 10:17 PM

[kurtsimonw]

Heheheh... Everton? Or maybe even Tottenham heheh?

Not sure you're allowed to be drawn against teams from the same country. I'd ;like to play a Scottish team, if they have any!

[Fillipo Simone]

Not sure you're allowed to be drawn against teams from the same country. I'd ;like to play a Scottish team, if they have any!

Oh yeah, they can be drawn...

[kurtsimonw]

UEFA Cup 1st Round

*Seeding is determined by their UEFA Coefficient rating.
*The 80 teams are then split into 8 groups of 10 teams, 5 seeded teams and 5 unseeded teams.
*The draw for these is also based on their coefficient ranking with one exception: no country can have multiple teams in any group.
*These teams will play 2 legs, home and away, scheduled for 18 September and 2 October.
*The 40 winning teams will be divided into eight sections of five.

Seeded teams
Milan
Sevilla
Valencia
Benfica
Schalke 04
CSKA Moscow
Tottenham Hotspur
Hamburg
Stuttgart
Ajax
Olympiacos
Deportivo La Coruña
Everton
Club Brugge
Rapid Bucharest
Beşiktaş
Spartak Moscow
Paris Saint-Germain
Sparta Prague
Dinamo Bucharest
Heerenveen
Rosenborg
Udinese
Feyenoord
Sporting Braga
Levski Sofia
Austria Vienna
Slavia Prague
Manchester City
Galatasaray
Sampdoria
Hertha BSC Berlin
Partizan Belgrade
Nancy
Aston Villa
Portsmouth
Racing Santander
Rennes
Copenhagen
Hapoel Tel Aviv

Unseeded teams
Borussia Dortmund
Napoli
Brøndby
Litex Lovech
Vitória Guimarães
Dinamo Zagreb
Saint-Étienne
Zürich
Wolfsburg
Wisła Kraków
Vitória Setúbal
Marítimo
Standard Liège
Twente
Moscow
Artmedia Petržalka
Unirea Urziceni
Vaslui
Timişoara
NEC Nijmegen
Brann
Baník Ostrava
Kayserispor
Motherwell
Metalist Kharkiv
Red Bull Salzburg
BSC Young Boys
Bellinzona
Cherno More
Nordsjælland
Borac Čačak
Kalmar
MŠK Žilina
Lech Poznań
Slaven Belupo
APOEL Nicosia
Omonia Nicosia
Honka
Kaunas
St. Patrick's Athletic

So basically, you can not play a team in the first round that is:
1: In the same section as you (Seeded or unseeded); and
2: From the same country as you.

That's what I can tell from what I've ready anyways.

[acid911]

Seeded teams
Milan
Sevilla
Valencia
Benfica
Schalke 04

We seem to be in good company. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) A lot of my favorite clubs in there, in fact all of them, I like. All hail the UEFA Cup!

[kurtsimonw]

You missed Villa off that list. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Nah, we'll probably get some 'average' team like Standard or Moscow and get knocked out, that's my feeling anyway. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[acid911]

You missed Villa off that list.

Oh! I just took a cursory look at the first few. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) There's Villa, then there's Ajax, and Stuttgart. And Sampdoria. I'm amazed to see Villa seeded so low down though. It's a very decent club, unless they had a different method of seeding teams.

Nah, we'll probably get some 'average' team like Standard or Moscow and get knocked out, that's my feeling anyway.

I think we'll do good. Then again, that depends a lot on Carlo. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) At the bare minimum the upper management would want him to finish 3rd and win UEFA Cup title. I'd pay attention to it (and the league, yes) if I were him.

[kurtsimonw]

Oh! I just took a cursory look at the first few. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) There's Villa, then there's Ajax, and Stuttgart. And Sampdoria. I'm amazed to see Villa seeded so low down though. It's a very decent club, unless they had a different method of seeding teams.

UEFA co-efficients are done on the previous 5 seasons, as they think that's a good indicator of how good the club is compared to others in Europe. Every team is given a minimum co-efficient rating dependant on what country they are in, too. For example, you get more points just for playing in the English league, than you would if you won the Icelandic title or something.

So Villa technically have a rating of 0, since we haven't been in the UEFA Cup for a while. In the 90s it was the norm, not qualifying would be a disaster, but we disappeared at the turn of the century and were nearly relegated a few years ago. Thanks to the English league doing well in Europe in recent years, it's meant the league co-effeicient for England is high enough to make us a seeded team, even though we probably shouldn't be. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I think we'll do good. Then again, that depends a lot on Carlo. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) At the bare minimum the upper management would want him to finish 3rd and win UEFA Cup title. I'd pay attention to it (and the league, yes) if I were him.

By "we'll go out" I meant Villa, I can see how it confused you though!

I personally think Milan could put out their second string and go far.

[acid911]

UEFA co-efficients are done on the previous 5 seasons, as they think that's a good indicator of how good the club is compared to others in Europe. Every team is given a minimum co-efficient rating dependant on what country they are in, too. For example, you get more points just for playing in the English league, than you would if you won the Icelandic title or something.

So Villa technically have a rating of 0, since we haven't been in the UEFA Cup for a while. In the 90s it was the norm, not qualifying would be a disaster, but we disappeared at the turn of the century and were nearly relegated a few years ago. Thanks to the English league doing well in Europe in recent years, it's meant the league co-effeicient for England is high enough to make us a seeded team, even though we probably shouldn't be.

Aha! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Makes sense.

By "we'll go out" I meant Villa, I can see how it confused you though!
I personally think Milan could put out their second string and go far.

Double Aha! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) For a second there I thought you meant Milan. I hope Carlo gives equal attention to both the fronts, and we win both of them. Plus, it'd be cool to somehow get Aston Villa in the final. It's be worth it, just to see your face once the final kicks off.