Will Anyone Take UEFA's Nations League Seriously?

Just what the overloaded football calendar needs ... another international competition.

Seems like television money wants something to be on the line when national sides meet.

In essence, they're saying that friendlies can be too friendly.

And if that's not enough, UEFA's also introducing a third-tier in-season competition in 2021.

 

Probably when war will be averted if Freedonia and Sylvania aren't included.

Incidentally, who knew they were for real?

Does that mean Groucho Marx almost started World War I½?

 

The pertinent line here from Duck Soup is Groucho's retort to Margaret Dumont:

I'm fighting for your honor, which is more than you ever did.

Too bad he's not around to take on UEFA.

Here's what they've done with their 55-nation membership:

• Four tiers have been created based on UEFA's coefficient ratings,
• Each tier is split into four pods of three or four teams, and
• There's promotion and relegation.

 

 

Seriously.

You'll discover that UEFA has got this competition woven into how nations can qualify for Euro 2020. In essence, four Nations League qualifiers get an automatic shot at the last four finals spots, ie- the survivor of each tier.

 

So will a nation left outta the finals because Latvia, the Faroe Islands, or whomever in Group D was lord and master of UEFA's minnows.

Thus, every side's gotta stay on point, as opposed to sides everywhere else in the world that can more freely roll out younger players for a bit of experience or substitute at will.

The fun and games are already underway, too. For better or worse, be still, your beating heart.