UEFA today confirmed a new continental competition for member countries - the Nations League will feature promotion and relegation and Euro 2020 places up for grabs.
The competition starts in 2018, after the World Cup in Russia has ended. It is designed to replace the much maligned meaningless friendlies that disrupt domestic leagues throughout the season.
The 54 UEFA members will be split into four groups, based on rankings - so the top group is likely to feature Spain, Germany, England, Italy and so on. Within these four groups, there will be smaller sub groups of 3 or 4 teams, with teams rewarded for success and demoted for failure.
Initial reaction to this new competition has been mixed. Here I look at some of the arguments for and against the proposed tournament.
Pro: Internationals will matter again
As alluded to before, the Nations League will replace most of the European friendlies held throughout the year. Although it will still frustrate clubs to release players for international duty, at least for this competition the fixtures will mean something. How many times have key players been called up for friendlies which mean nothing and got injured at a crucial part of the season?
Also, the decision to group teams together in proper leagues with others of similar ability mean the quality of football will be higher. The thought of Portugal, France, Russia and The Netherlands scrapping it out to join the top tier (based on today's rankings) is a mouth-watering prospect for the neutral fan.
Smaller teams will also improve. Europe's minor nations will benefit from playing each other in a competitive match - which they don't get chance to at any time under the current pot allocation system for deciding qualifying groups. If they're able to beat teams in and around them, they put themselves in better stead to improve in the future. And be honest, who wouldn't watch Andorra vs San Marino out of morbid curiosity?
Con: Will teams be motivated after the World Cup?
This competition is set to start in September 2018, just two months after the World Cup Final. There's a high likelihood one or even two of UEFA's members will go all the way. Factor in the start of new domestic campaigns across the continent and the Nations League may not sit highly in jaded players' list of priorities.
Opposition from clubs is likely to remain high despite the more important nature of the matches - there is still a risk of injury to their players - even more so in competitive, possibly fiery matches between international rivals. Worn out players jetting across the continent is unlikely to impress managers looking to get their season off to the best possible start.
With Euro 2020 places up for grabs in all four Nations League divisions, this should provide an incentive to take the tournament seriously. But what about the teams who have already qualified through the normal process? With 20 teams progressing from the groups, even mid ranking nations can be confident of making it through. Countries like Slovenia, Austria and Israel should be the main beneficiaries of a 24-team finals, but will they give it their all in this competition if they qualify automatically?
Gibraltar at Euro 2020? This is their best chance
Pro: Euro 2020 slots up for grabs
Conversely, this brings me to my next plus point. With four Euro 2020 slots available for the divisional winners, this is an excellent opportunity for countries to make it to the finals of a major tournament. This gives countries who under perform in qualifying a unique second chance and there is the potential for lots of first-time qualifiers. The fact that all four divisions will have a Euro 2020 place available is a real carrot for the smaller nations. There is a much bigger chance for the continent's small fry to qualify this way, and while admittedly only occasionally, they are capable of upsetting the big boys - maybe on the biggest stage of them all? With one of the bottom 16 ranked teams guaranteed a spot, it's all to play for.
Con: Will it weaken the European Championships in the long run?
However, this decision to realistically open up the Euro's to all member nations could damage the tournament. UEFA have already done their worst - think the multi-country 2020 tournament which will make the finals is logistical nightmare for fans and broadcasters. The quality will also be diluted, with the mid-lower ranking teams half expecting a battering at the hands of the big guns. Major tournaments are not the place for five or six goal victories.
Estonia vs Serbia, with all respect due, is hardly likely to excite TV audiences. The sheer number of games created by 24 team finals could lead to overkill. Interest in the Euro's has always been lower than the World Cup, which has the global appeal and festival atmosphere to sustain interest even in the more humdrum group stages.
Conclusion:
On the whole, I think in theory the Nations League is a great idea. There is the potential for some top class games to be played and the added carrot-on-a-stick of Euro slots for the lowest ranked teams should prove both entertaining and beneficial for these teams.
The format is not without faults, but I think UEFA should be congratulated for recognising the universal apathy towards friendlies and replacing them with a meaningful, interesting and prestigious competition.
With thanks to Associated Press and Daily Mail for the picture
