A real revolution in European Cups

A real revolution in European Cups. Starting immediately, from the next season. We spoke about it with Marco Birri, head of the Water Polo of Len.

 

http://www.waterpolodevelopmentworld.com/?p=132440

The big news of the Champions League is the introduction of the wild card …

They will be eight. These teams, chosen by Len on the basis of a set of criteria, will come into play in the fourth phase of the event. It’s a choice that will raise considerably the technical level of the event.

There is no doubt. Another novelty is the Final Six instead of the Final Four. An epilogue even more spectacular and exciting than we had in Belgrade. There are already applications to host it?

We already had four applications: Barceloneta, Brescia, Eger and Galatasaray. We’re really pleased, it means that the idea of ​​the Final Six is good.

But the most revolutionarydecision regards women’s European Cups: Len Trophy’s abolished, all qualified teams will take part in the Champions…

That’s right. But it will change its name, it will become Euroleague Women. The incorporation is due to the low number of teams that took part in the last edition of the Champions Cup and the Len Trophy. Might as well make a single cup of very high technical level. Most probably Len Trophy won’t disappear, maybe it will be assigned as well.

In what way?

The losers of the quarter-finals of the Euroleague Women could make a Final Four to win Len Trophy. It’s a ‘hypothesis that we are considering.

All extraordinarily nice, but the clubs can afford it in these days? There was talk of reducing costs, to choose less expensive formulas …

In the Champions League, in fact, the number of matches is decreased and the money prizes are increased.

Mario Corcione

(ita) – Ma entriamo nel dettaglio della nuova formula della Champions League con l’aiuto della seguente schermata (clicca su per ingrandirla):
(eng) – But we get into details of the new formula of the Champions League with the help of the following screeshoot (click to enlarge):

Prima fase: sarà a gironi con sede unica. Si qualificano le prime due squadre di ogni girone, per un totale di 8.
Seconda fase: 4 gironi da quattro squadre con sede unica. Vi prenderanno parte le 8 qualificate della prima fase più 8 teste di serie già qualificate di diritto alla seconda fase. Si qualificano le prime due di ogni girone.
Terza fase: le otto qualificate della seconda fase si affronteranno in 4 sfide ad eliminazione diretta con partite d’andata e ritorno. Le vincenti delle quattro sfide si qualificheranno per la quarta fase.
Quarta fase: vi prenderanno parte le 4 qualificate della terza fase e le 8 wild card. Queste 12 formazioni daranno vita a due gironi da 6 con la cosiddetta formula “all’italiana”. Ognuna delle squadre disputerà un totale di 10 partite, 5 in casa e 5 fuori. Le prime tre di ogni girone si qualificheranno per la Final Six.
Final Six: le vincenti dei gironi della quarta fase direttamente in semifinale, dove attenderanno le vincenti dei due scontri diretti tra le altre qualificate.

First phase: it will be at groups in a single city. The top two teams from each group, for a total of 8 teams, will qualify for the next round.
Second phase: 4 groups of four teams in a single city. Will take part in the 8 qualified the first phase plus 8 seeded already automatically qualified to the second stage. We qualify the top two teams in each group.
Third phase: the eight qualified for the second phase will face challenges in 4 knockout matches with home and away games. The winners of the four challenges will advance to the fourth phase.
Fourth phase: will take part in the 4 qualified members of the third phase and the 8 wild card. These 12 teams will create two groups with 6 teams that will play in a round roubin. Each of the teams will play a total of 10 games, 5 at home and outside 5. The top three teams in each group will qualify for the Final Six.
Final Six: the winners of the fourth phase of the groups directly in the semifinals, where it will await the winners of the two matches between other qualified.

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(ita) – La formula dell’Euro Cup, invece, rimarrà invariata rispetto alla scorsa stagione. Ecco la schermata (clicca su per ingrandirla):
(eng) – The formula of the Euro Cup, however, will remain unchanged compared to last season. Here is a screenshot (click to enlarge):