All the changes to @ChampionsLeague and @EuropaLeague summed up in 9⃣0⃣ seconds. Ready? Go... pic.twitter.com/FSdOXZKSzN
— UEFA (@UEFA) August 26, 2016
So if I understand it correctly the following teams will participate in the Champions League Group Stage in the future:
- Champions League winner
- Europa League winner
- Top 4 from the #1 country (currently Spain)
- Top 4 from the #2 country (currently Germany)
- Top 4 from the #3 country (currently England)
- Top 4 from the #4 country (currently Italy)
- Top 2 from the #5 country (currently France)
- Top 2 from the #6 country (currently Russia)
- Top 1 from the #7 country (currently Portugal)
- Top 1 from the #8 country (currently Ukraine)
- Top 1 from the #9 country (currently Belgium)
- Top 1 from the #10 country (currently Turkey)
- 4 from the Champions Route (current number is 5)
- 2 from the League Route (current number is 5)
Total: 32 teams
One thing I immediately noticed: the difference between the #4 and #5 countries is huge (2 guaranteed spots), so huge that it's close to impossible for all countries outside the top 4 to break into the top 4. IMO it's safe to say that from now on England, Spain, Germany and Italy will always have at least 4 teams in the Champions League Group Stages no matter what. Absolutely awful, the #4 and #5 should both get 3 spots, that alone would be a massive improvement.
The Fury said:
Just realised, Luhansk as in eastern Ukraine. I don't think that area is safe yet is it? |
They play in Kiev or Odessa I think, Luhansk is still an active warzone.
