If you thought the League of Nations went out with World War 1 think again.It’s back.And this time it’s called the UEFA Nation’s League.
The 55 European nations are divided into four leagues, determined by each country’s Uefa ranking last November.
Each league, in turn, will be divided into groups.Each of the teams will play each other home and away in September, October and November and those top of groups B, C and D will gain promotion, while those bottom of A, B and C will be relegated. The next season is 2020/21.
You will probably get a headache or mild concussion at least from trying to figure it all out but the games are going ahead and they start today.
League A, Group 1: Germany-France (Thursday, September 6, 8:45 PM.)
League B, Group 1: Czech Republic-Ukraine (Thursday, September 6, 8:45 PM.)
League B, Group 4: Wales-Republic of Ireland (Thursday, September 6, 8:45 PM.)
League C, Group 3: Slovenia-Bulgaria (Thursday, September 6, 8:45 PM.)
League C, Group 3: Norway-Cyprus (Thursday, September 6, 8:45 PM.)
League D, Group 1: Kazakhstan-Georgia (Thursday, September 6, 4:00 PM.)
League D, Group 4: Armenia-Liechtenstein (Thursday, September 6, 6:00 PM)
League D, Group 1: Latvia-Andorra (Thursday, September 6, 8:45 PM.)
League D, Group 4: Gibraltar-Macedonia (Thursday, September 6, 8:45 PM.)
The new tournament is the brainchild of Ex-UEFA president Michel Platini who came up with it before he was booted out for corruption.The tournament was mooted as a more interesting replacement for the largely meaningless international friendlies.
“The friendly matches no longer interest anyone, neither fans or journalists or players,” he said (shortly before he was hauled off and cast into the outer darkness – where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth)