Now with the Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kyiv, Hamburg and Werder Bremen entering the semifinals of the UEFA Cup, which will be held in Marseille, is entirely a Ukrainian-German event. UEFA Cup has lost its charm of being a strong marker of Europe’s up-and-coming players. It has now limited itself to mere imitation of its former image. The competition will soon be named Europa league
The fact does not need any more proof that German and Ukrainian Leagues are on top of UEFA cup which is competing with Spanish Liga and English Premiere League. The Aston Villa, Tottenham and Milan did not fare too well at the competition. While the German team needs to strengthen its financial aspect, the Ukraine’s leading clubs face problems of poor administration and corruption besides being neck deep in debt. They have already conquered the problems faced due to winter break extension.
The UEFA Cup should pay attention to above mentioned, otherwise it will become a second rate candidate to Champions League. The competition should relapse into a straight knockout club is the suggestion from Paddy Barclay where 256 clubs from all over the continent can participate. However the suggestion cannot be incorporated as the TV executives who are the sponsors of the competition are not ready for a change.
But there is always a solution to a problem. The UEFA Cup winners can be given a place in Champion’s league so that the clubs participating in the competition play with more seriousness.
