League of Nations

[Super_horns]

Is this going to make International football anymore appealing ?

Or just another set of games to get in the way of the domestic season.

Guess we might see different teams qualify from Pot 3 and 4..

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41580638

 

[Son of Cod]

 

[blademan89]

It definitely gives lower ranked teams a better chance of getting there. The bigger nations should get there anyway for certain these days considering the top 2 qualify but it gives them an extra chance should they not. However no doubt Germany will win pot 1 anyway. It can't do any harm imo and is better than playing friendlies and in a way we will actually be playing competitive matches against good teams instead of the shite we get in the group's at the minute which may help us in tournaments hopefully.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Quite like the idea of it but don't like the notion of pot 3 and pot 4 teams making a finals just because they happen to be the best of a REALLY BAD BUNCH

 

[blademan89]

Quite like the idea of it but don't like the notion of pot 3 and pot 4 teams making a finals just because they happen to be the best of a REALLY BAD BUNCH

Be at a new level won't it when we get knocked out in the last 16 to luxembourg

 

[mente captus]

looking forward for the San Marino vs Andorra clash. could be the first football match where more people are on the pitch as off

 

[Super_horns]

England up against Croatia and Spain - probably playing for 2nd then...

Scotland playing Israel and Albania whilst ROI face Denmark and Wales again...might add some spice to this.

From what I can understand the 4 winners of each section go into a mini-league play-off battle with the winners qualifying for Euro 2020 and then the 16 next best also play in some sort of play-off thing!

Think there are still the usual qualifying groups as well so teams get a 2nd chance...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/42800971​

 

[epic73]

denmark please go away

 

[Super_horns]

Sounds like Wales might be playing a very weak Denmark!

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/45382474

 

[JaredSUFC]

Can’t be much worse than the Irish side we just beat. It was good to see youth like Ampedu and Brooks (both of whom were superb) get a chance in a competitive game. Four different goal scorers as well. There’s a positive buzz about this Welsh team under Giggs

 

[Benji]

I have enjoyed the Nations League so far.

 

[Gassy]

Wasn’t a fan of the idea at first but now I understand it properly - it’s not a bad idea.

I just don’t think the lower teams should qualify through it. It also makes actual qualifiers seem a bit stupid as let’s say Spain qualify, the have to play the qualifiers anyway but it doesn’t matter where they finish...

 

[Dirk]

Wasn’t a fan of the idea at first but now I understand it properly - it’s not a bad idea.

You do? Congrats, Gassy. I am still struggling to understand this

Anyway, we played against the new World Champs on Thursday (Old one vs New one ). Was a 0-0 but not from the "dull sort". We could've even won this one in the end. Not much of a new beginning though but a decent start after our worst ever World Cup campaign. You have to be modest nowadays.

So when one team qualifies through this new competition they still have to play the regular qualifiers nonetheless?

 

[blademan89]

You do? Congrats, Gassy. I am still struggling to understand this

Anyway, we played against the new World Champs on Thursday (Old one vs New one ). Was a 0-0 but not from the "dull sort". We could've even won this one in the end. Not much of a new beginning though but a decent start after our worst ever World Cup campaign. You have to be modest nowadays.

So when one team qualifies through this new competition they still have to play the regular qualifiers nonetheless?

Yes and if they then qualify by winning the normal route I think the next best team in this league of nations goes through. I THINK !!

 

[Gassy]

Yep - in the easiest way I can explain:

There are 4 different leagues: League A, B, C & D. Within each league are four groups. For example: League A1, A2, A3, A4. In other words:

Group A1: Germany, France, Netherlands
Group A2: Belgium, Switzerland, Iceland
Group A3: Portugal, Italy, Poland
Group A4: Spain, England, Croatia

Now the winners of all of the groups A (lets just say Germany, Belgium, Portugal & Spain as theyre the 1st teams there) will enter a knock out round of semi finals. They will be drawn at random - for example, Germany Vs Belgium & Portugal Vs Spain. The winners face the other winner - For example Germany Vs Portugal. The winner of that game is declared the League of nations winner and already qualifies for the Euros 2020.

It is the same format for League A, B, C & D. So 1 team from A, B, C & D will qualify for the Euros (hence the criticism that Luxembourg may actually qualify). 4 teams will qualify from this in total.

There are 24 teams in total for the Euros 2020 - 16 teams will qualify through the original qualifiers - so the normal group stages. The teams that already qualified for the competition will play in the normal qualifiers - if they happen to win their group then the next best team will essentially finish 1st.

So that makes 20 out of the 24 teams decided.

Now for the last part - if you finish last in League A - you get relegated to League B. And visa versa there will be promotions & relegation across the board. In the new divisions we now need that last 4 spots to be filled. But how Gassy? I hear you scream! So the most highly ranked teams of League A, B, C & D (that have not qualified yet) will enter yet another semi-finals type knock out stage. Again this will happen across groups A, B, C & D. The winner of A, B, C & D will qualify. So one team from each group again will fill the last 4 places.

At this point - all 24 teams are done and we move to Euros 2020.

Oh - 1 other thing, there is only 1 nations league winner - whoever wins the League A final - is considered the Champion.

I hope that explains in the simplest form?

You can view the groups here, https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/newsid=2530180.html

 

[SALTIRE]

Yep - in the easiest way I can explain:

There are 4 different leagues: League A, B, C & D. Within each league are four groups. For example: League A1, A2, A3, A4. In other words:

Group A1: Germany, France, Netherlands
Group A2: Belgium, Switzerland, Iceland
Group A3: Portugal, Italy, Poland
Group A4: Spain, England, Croatia

Now the winners of all of the groups A (lets just say Germany, Belgium, Portugal & Spain as theyre the 1st teams there) will enter a knock out round of semi finals. They will be drawn at random - for example, Germany Vs Belgium & Portugal Vs Spain. The winners face the other winner - For example Germany Vs Portugal. The winner of that game is declared the League of nations winner and already qualifies for the Euros 2020.

It is the same format for League A, B, C & D. So 1 team from A, B, C & D will qualify for the Euros (hence the criticism that Luxembourg may actually qualify). 4 teams will qualify from this in total.

There are 24 teams in total for the Euros 2020 - 16 teams will qualify through the original qualifiers - so the normal group stages. The teams that already qualified for the competition will play in the normal qualifiers - if they happen to win their group then the next best team will essentially finish 1st.

So that makes 20 out of the 24 teams decided.

Now for the last part - if you finish last in League A - you get relegated to League B. And visa versa there will be promotions & relegation across the board. In the new divisions we now need that last 4 spots to be filled. But how Gassy? I hear you scream! So the most highly ranked teams of League A, B, C & D (that have not qualified yet) will enter yet another semi-finals type knock out stage. Again this will happen across groups A, B, C & D. The winner of A, B, C & D will qualify. So one team from each group again will fill the last 4 places.

At this point - all 24 teams are done and we move to Euros 2020.

Oh - 1 other thing, there is only 1 nations league winner - whoever wins the League A final - is considered the Champion.

I hope that explains in the simplest form?

You can view the groups here, https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/newsid=2530180.html

Good summation there Gassy. What happens to those relegated from Group D though, as this is a distinct possibility with Scotland! ?! Do we become semi pro?

 

[Gassy]

Good summation there Gassy. What happens to those relegated from Group D though, as this is a distinct possibility with Scotland! ?! Do we become semi pro?

You join Asia

 

[Super_horns]

Northern Ireland really shooting themselves in the foot - had loads of chances then hit with a sucker punch and now gifted Bosnia the 2nd goal.

 

[Leewilson]

Now for the last part - if you finish last in League A - you get relegated to League B. And visa versa there will be promotions & relegation across the board. In the new divisions we now need that last 4 spots to be filled. But how Gassy? I hear you scream! So the most highly ranked teams of League A, B, C & D (that have not qualified yet) will enter yet another semi-finals type knock out stage. Again this will happen across groups A, B, C & D. The winner of A, B, C & D will qualify. So one team from each group again will fill the last 4 places.

The above is the bit that I think is bloody stupid.

I like the initial concept to avoid pointless friendlies and I quite like allowing some of the smaller nations opportunities to qualify. The promotion and relegation system works as well.

But then once the new leagues are sorted and there are 4 spots remaining, it's like they had run out of ideas so have just done it based on rank. Your national team could have a fairly shocking 12 months but due to rank, get another chance at winning 2 games to qualify for a major tournament. If the draw falls right, some very undeserving nations could be there.

 

[SALTIRE]

If the draw falls right, some very undeserving nations could be there.

Which is why the likes of Italy and Holland in their current states will be loving this.

 

[Gassy]

Yep if you manage to get relegated, then some how don’t qualify you then get (as England) the chance of playing teams such as N.Ireland, Austria etc in knock its.

The first 4 places is fine, but they should give the remainding 20 places to the normal format.

The last 4 feels a bit of an unfair handout to teams who have f*cked it up multiple times in 2 years who now get a 3rd chance because of their status

 

[Benji]

Is there a rule against being too noisy at games if you're in Group A?

 

[Jockney]

These NL games are a winner for me. In the games I've seen so far, players already look more up for it, football is played at a much higher intensity.

 

[Super_horns]

Hope it's not as serous as it looks for Luke Shaw .

 

[epic73]

Hope it's not as serous as it looks for Luke Shaw .

Son of Cod this is what nice people say

 

[Gassy]

What an absolute joke that referee was. I see this standard of refereeing with Bristol Rovers but I do not expect it on the international stage.

Absolutely pathetic

Bring back VAR

 

[hellogregory]

De Gea had both hands on the ball until Welbeck’s head unintentionally knocked the ball out of his hands. Accidental or not you can’t knock the ball out of the goalkeepers hands.

You can say De Gea’s fortunate to get away with it but technically it’s a foul.

 

[Bobbin']

What an absolute joke that referee was. I see this standard of refereeing with Bristol Rovers but I do not expect it on the international stage.

Absolutely pathetic

Bring back VAR

The Stones booking was hilariously bad.

 

[Jockney]

De Gea had both hands on the ball until Welbeck’s head unintentionally knocked the ball out of his hands. Accidental or not you can’t knock the ball out of the goalkeepers hands.

You can say De Gea’s fortunate to get away with it but technically it’s a foul.

I don’t have the benefit of a replay to hand, but surely it isn’t a foul if there isn’t intent, or indeed any movement at all. If deGea had run into Welbeck accidentally with the ball in his hands, dropped it and then Welbeck had poked the ball home would it still be a foul?

 

[Super_horns]

Well these days you only have to sneeze on a goalkeeper and they get the decision going for them..

Even more so if its a big name...

Unfortunate as we had the chances to get something I felt even if we were generally outplayed as you would expect.

Probably be the same story v Croatia - look good for some parts but loose play will cost us.