Friday, May 06, 2005
UEFA Cup set
Sporting Lisbon and CSKA Moscow have booked their places in the final of the UEFA Cup, to be played at Sporting’s own Jose Alvalade Stadium on May 18. The Portuguese side advanced on the away goals rule against AZ, while the Russians eliminated Parma 3-0 in Moscow.
The latter match was marred by yet another keeper, Parma's Luca Bucci, getting injured by a flare. Expect another tepid response from UEFA to match the slap on the wrist Inter received last month.
I'm sure both sides are ecstatic to go through, particularly CSKA. The Moscow club became only the second Russian side -- the first in 33 years -- to reach the final of a major European tournament.
I must say, however, that I find it hard to get excited about this competition. Notwithstanding the need to generate revenue and provide a goal for the second tier teams in Europe, I struggle to see its relevance. As it exists now, the UEFA Cup just seems like the Champions League's ugly step sister and I don't think that is the healthiest of situations.
UEFA increasingly seems to conflate the needs of European football with those of the G14 clubs that frequent the CL. One way of reassuring its lesser-endowed constituency would be to rebrand the UEFA Cup and throw a little more attention and energy its way. If the status quo remains, this Cup will only slip further down the prestige scale.
The latter match was marred by yet another keeper, Parma's Luca Bucci, getting injured by a flare. Expect another tepid response from UEFA to match the slap on the wrist Inter received last month.
I'm sure both sides are ecstatic to go through, particularly CSKA. The Moscow club became only the second Russian side -- the first in 33 years -- to reach the final of a major European tournament.
I must say, however, that I find it hard to get excited about this competition. Notwithstanding the need to generate revenue and provide a goal for the second tier teams in Europe, I struggle to see its relevance. As it exists now, the UEFA Cup just seems like the Champions League's ugly step sister and I don't think that is the healthiest of situations.
UEFA increasingly seems to conflate the needs of European football with those of the G14 clubs that frequent the CL. One way of reassuring its lesser-endowed constituency would be to rebrand the UEFA Cup and throw a little more attention and energy its way. If the status quo remains, this Cup will only slip further down the prestige scale.
