The Problem with Thursday
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Being a millionaire at a Billionaires Convention is probably a pretty lousy experience. So is being a very attractive lady at a party full of supermodels. Or a brighter-than-average student surrounded by Ph.D’s.
The semi-finals of the UEFA Cup should be pretty exciting. Both ties are nicely balanced. The teams are a good mix of traditionally strong teams and up-and-comers. Some good players in that lot.
And yet…do you care? Can you get excited about it? Have you made plans to watch the games?
It’s a shame, but the UEFA Cup has been devalued in so many ways - the never ending group stage, the parachute for Champions League teams, the lack of sponsorship or branding (quick - hum the UEFA Cup theme song!). But probably the most damaging thing that UEFA did was to stick it right after the Champions League each week.
No-one would stay to see the support band if they came on after the headliner. The only problem with Thursday is that is comes after Tuesday and Wednesday.
I think the UEFA Cup has provided the most exciting cup soccer this season. I see two major problems. One, is that no one understands how format works. Second, I agree that the time is awful. If you have already taken time out of your day to watch Tuesday and Wednesday Champions League matches, you don’t have anything left in the tank for a Thursday UEFA Cup match.
I think it would make sense to do what you advocated in your posts on League Two recently, where UEFA Cup semifinals should be played the day before Champions League semifinals.