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Reference Prometheus Today at 00:17:
Why is it called The Champions League when most of the teams in it are quite clearly not champions of anything at all?
I think it's just historical. The predecessor of the Champions League was popularly known as the European Cup, but was properly called the "European Champion Clubs' Cup", and you did originally have to be national champions to take part.

I think originally the expansion to allow lower-ranked teams was largely to pacify countries like England, Italy and Spain who were miffed that they (whose clubs, coincidentally, bring in most of the advertising revenue) didn't get more representation than the "smaller" footballing powers. However, I've suspected for a while that current structure is an attempt to create a European league by the back-door...
Eugene's Lair
Reference:
The predecessor of the Champions League was popularly known as the European Cup, but was properly called the "European Champion Clubs' Cup", and you did originally have to be national champions to take part.
Well exactly, originally it was a champions league. Ironically European Cup is now a more fitting description. I think they're kind of confused really. Or just a bit thick.
Prometheus
Reference Prometheus 2,773 Forum PostsToday at 01:28 :
Ironically European Cup is now a more fitting description. I think they're kind of confused really. Or just a bit thick.
I personally suspect delusions of grandeur.
Mind you, the problem with "European Cup" is that it sounds as if it's more appropriate for (and could be mistaken for) what is known as the European Nations Cup (think World Cup...)
Eugene's Lair
They've got to call it something. And what they do call it is wrong on both counts because not only does it not just have champions but for most of its phases it doesn't have what you'd think of as a 'league'.  For most of its phases it's a knock out competition like the World Cup, which also has a group stage and knock out rounds.

It used to be the European Cup and then UEFA decided that they could have more big clubs playing more lucrative matches in a group stage, so presumably re-branded it as "The Champions League".
Carnelian
Reference:
Mind you, the problem with "European Cup" is that it sounds as if it's more appropriate for (and could be mistaken for) what is known as the European Nations Cup (trhink World Cup...)
It has exactly the same set-up as the World Cup though, more or less. It's a cup competition with a league 'qualifying' stage. So European Cup is as close as we're going to get to what it actually is. Well, they can't call it what it 'actually' is. Who would be interested in the Not Champions At All League?
Prometheus
Reference:
It has exactly the same set-up as the World Cup though, more or less. It's a cup competition with a league 'qualifying' stage. So European Cup is as close as we're going to get to what it actually is. Well, they can't call it what it 'actually' is. Who would be interested in the Not Champions At All League?
Not quite the same as the World Cup as the World Cup doesn't have a knock out phase prior to the group phase to ensure almost all the small teams from smaller countries (champions or not) get dumped out before the lucrative group stage.

Then the big rich clubs join in with a drawn out group stage to maximise the numbers of games played, before reverting back to a knock out competition for the latter rounds.
Carnelian
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Yet Spurs still wormed their way in. Amazing really, you can't get much smaller than Spurs really.
You know what I mean!

They could in theory have the group phase earlier on and have bigger groups and less rounds, but for some reason the group phase kicks in when most of the European big boys are seeded to enter.
Carnelian
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s a somewhat non-partisan enjoyer of football I just want to see the best players and teams match up.
You really would be amazed at how many people wouldn't. My team (Chelsea) has so many supporters who don't give a flying for the CL all they are worried about is petty domestic arguments with Arsenal, Spurs etc. They want to win the PL for bragging rights.

I am in a minority as a lifelong Chelsea supporter. I'd spit on most so-called Chelsea 'fans' these days. Sorry that was a bit random
Prometheus
Not at all.  I wouldn't be amazed in the least. 

I realise most supporters just want to see their own team win whatever competition they deem most important at that time and really wouldn't care if it was victorious via the efforts of the skeletal remains of Acrington Stanley on a ,mud bath with added sleet.

Just not my thing.  I like great football.  Best team wins I'm good with it.

I like what's best as possible in life.  Tribal trivialities that stifle that are tedious.


I realise I'm odd. 
bateman
Reference:
I am in a minority as a lifelong Chelsea supporter. I'd spit on most so-called Chelsea 'fans' these days.
Hmmm most Chelsea fans I know have been involved with the club from day dot. As their parents were, relatives etc. I'd go as far to say that it's probably the only club I know that has such a family following (but then I am in West London - might be different elsewhere).

EDIT: I'll try and re-word that. I mean in terms of London supporters, Chelsea appears to have more of a family/generation following.
Karma_
Reference:
Hmmm most Chelsea fans I know have been involved with the club from day dot
It's probably an internet thing. If you go on the 'official' Chelsea Chat site most of them have never even been to London or even England. I realise it's not like that in the real world. I suppose what I am trying to say is the internet is evil. Yes, yes that's it.
Prometheus
All sorts of complex reasons are involved. I agree that the best competition consisted of the winners entering a knock-out competition whilst the First Division (in old money) continued to play 42 games mostly on a Saturday at 3pm.
At some point the people who wish to make the most money decided  that we should have a pan European competition cosisting of all the best European teams........ and Paris St Germain. To get people used to this idea they brought in a Champion's league system with more teams in the hope that they would eventually arrive at an exclusively Euro season long competition. Alas! (Tee-Hee) It's all gone tits up. Everyone is in debt, and would you really want to miss winter games and local derbies?
Garage Joe

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