When the newly-created UEFA Europa League was announced, the duplication of the Champions League format seemed a sensible option and a recipe for success. It still surely is despite the somewhat jumbled and confusing nature of the competition format itself.

The teams selected for each qualifying phase (of which there are four) are dependent not only on their qualifying status in terms of league position or domestic cup success but also on their own domestic league’s current standings in the rankings. Different teams join the competition at different times and whilst some may have thought the Champions League rules a little unusual, with qualifying rounds followed by group stages with the third placed teams then falling into the UEFA Cup, the Europa League format requires a good half-hour and a stiff drink to understand.

Nevertheless, the inclusion of some well-known names in European competition and the promise of increased revenues in a similar way to that which the change from European Cup to Champions League generated albeit not on the same level will generate interest from clubs and fans alike. With the first round qualifying draw made and the teams set to start their season on 2^nd July, it doesn’t seem that we have had a break from football since the old season finished. Maybe the continued and apparently never-ending draw of the game is driving it into an almost all-year round necessity. If the money rolls in and the football produced justifies the investment in terms of excitement and action, then that may not be a bad thing.