In 1955 there was a championship game that consisted of winning teams from the European National Football Leagues. This league has evolved into what is now a tournament among domestic European teams called the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and has been operating as such since 1992. While the tournament may have changed names officially, for many it will forever be the European Cup.

The tournament includes three rounds of qualifying games. The teams who play in these games and the order in which they play are determined by their league performance and standards. In each round of the tournament teams are paired for competition according to those won the previous rounds. It sounds confusing I know, but there is method to the madness. This is particularly true if you live in the U.S. Most of us can relate somewhat as the NFL (National Football League) works on a similar premise as far as playoffs leading to the big game day when many people around the U.S. gathers around their televisions in order to watch commercials. This of course would be the primary difference as most people watching the European Cup are watching what is going on at ground level.

In this league there are eight groups of four teams. Each of the team plays the other teams in their group two times during the season, which typically lasts from the middle of September through the beginning of December. The top two qualifying teams from each group will move on to the next round of eliminations. This phase is an elimination phase that begins in February and ends with the big finale in May. This is when the pride of nations is on the line and the winner takes all, at least for one season.

In Europe people tend to stand behind their favorite teams and favorite players. These are countries that support their teams as they represent a certain national prize. Americans aren’t really fortunate enough to experience anything like that unless there are Olympic games going on somewhere around the world and then only for brief moments in time. European nations are able to experience that sense of national pride every day in many ways. There is nothing quite like experiencing that national pride as thousands of voices cheer in unison behind one time that represents them all.

Whether or not you are a fan of Manchester United year round it is quite possible that during certain games each year, you will cheer along with the fans of Manchester in order for them to have a victory over the team you most dread or fear playing your favorite team. For that brief moment, Manchester is your team too and most of us find that we do not easily forget that moment, as they are so incredibly easy to cheer on to victory. If your team makes it to the finals, let’s just hope they aren’t slated to play Manchester or we will be doomed to sit on opposite sides of the pitch.

Cortavientos 21/22 Manchester City azul Noticias de Noticias Fútbol – Estadio deportivo.