Maybe "rare" is true, but it's very subjective, although it is a fact that all cup competitions will often be won by teams who are certainly not the best, and it is this fact which leads to the suggestion that they have a lottery element to them. I cannot see how you can dispute this?
The fact that many of the better sides tend get through to the late stages is expected when so many are competing, but it is a fact of life that the format will enable a side which is some way from being the best to get to the final and win it, and do it against rivals who were also not the amongst the very best in the competition. Maybe a slightly fortunate win by Chelsea over Barca ,and similar results, paved the way for Pool ( who were certainly not the best side in Europe) to win it ,which was also true of Porto the year before, and is likely to be true again this year, whoever wins it.
So what? It does not detract from the competition, in fact the " anything can happen" aspect is its strength when a team, far from being the best in Europe or even in its own country can win it. But I think those who emphasise the luck side of all cup comps are just trying to put the CL into perspective.
It is in the interests of the organisers, media and the clubs ,to over hype the outcome of an, admittedly, fascinating competition to suggest it is what it isn't and never will be under its present greed based format.
We are too sensible to give the FA Cup winners the title of 'Champions' even though, just like the CL, it is most often won by one of the favourites. You know why as well as I do. There is a better way of deciding that title, but it is one which the Euro bosses prefer to ignore.
The winning fans swallow the European Champions title however much distorion their logic has to suffer, it's understandable, but we all know it is sometimes more pretence then real.
the CL "Lottery" 949I think we agree about more than we disagree, and you are correct....we have done this to rest.....almost. But I think you overlook the basis...
Even greater percentage in the FA Cup. So the great attraction of that competition,,,,,,,the lottery aspect...is not a fact? I thought it was considered to be the thing which made it most appealing?
To a degree, yes, but despite the slightly different format, a team can still go because of an off day. The suggestion of cups being a lottery is just a comparative judgement with the league format where all play all twice and which will produce a side far more entitled to be considered true champions.
the CL "Lottery" 948Lescor because of the pattern shown by those stats. which distinctly shows the same teams performing at a higher consistent level against the best Europe has to offer. there are two...
Never forget 951Just received this email from a friend.Maybe Scoopex should read this. He thinks it's ok to...
You again ignore the point. The luck element is in the fact that Man U faced Millwall, who had dumped better sides out earlier, as did a few other teams. I agree, consistancy is vital, but the true test of this and other qualities and real champions worth that title, is only found in all play all....... a league. Not perfect, and you are correct, the fixture schedule does give it a luck element, but as close as we can get to producing a worhty champion.
It is true that some CL sides might, under any format, also be promoted as the best side in Europe ,like the Pool sides of a couple of decades back who were so outstanding and champions at home. but if you don't subscribe to the lottery-luck thing how can you justify teams like Porto or Pool winning it? Wasn't it the only format of the comp they could win? Question is, why? Maybe because it is a bit of a lottery? Aren't you just trying to give Pools great success a bit more than it deserves by the suggestion that because very good sides tend to win the CL Cup it follows that last years side was one of them? They weren't, lets not kid ourselves.
Who would suggest it is all luck? The comp still has to be won. It's not a matter of devaluing. The cup comps are what they are and I love them because of it, Teams have off days, others rise to the occasion and it gives us games like Pool were involved in a few days ago. Amazing stuff, and good enough, in its own right to be called just what it is ,but nothing more.
The fans deserve a better competition. Possibly more restricted, but a better test on a league basis which will give us a winner worthy of being called Champs. of Europe. Right now the title is cobblers, and will still be so even if Arsenal win it or Pool win it again because it is not a test of the best against the best.
LC
