Garrincha
09-03-2001, 04:39 PM
Brazil is the greatest birthplace of soccer talent in the world. There is new talent appearing on a daily basis, and there are Brazilians shining in practically every championship in the world. Once one looks closely at how Brazilian soccer is run, it becomes even more astonishing.
Brazil, being a huge continent-sized nation, has over a dozen federations, the state federations. The first semester is divided among the State Championships (Rio Championship, São Paulo Championship, and so on) and the Brazilian Cup, our version of La Copa Del Rey or the Italian Cup. This Cup awards a spot in the Libertadores Cup, the main continental competition.
On the second semester, we play the Brazilian Championship. Now, I can explain the rules of this year's Championship, but by next year that explanation will be outdated, as the guys in charge make up ONE NEW CHAMPIONSHIP EVERY YEAR. I am not kidding. Sometimes it's divided in groups, sometimes not; sometimes it qualifies eight for the playoffs, sometimes four, or twelve. The only thing that's constant is the playoffs stage, considered a tradition.
This year, for instance, we're playing a 28-team tournament, with one single match played between teams - if you play away against São Paulo, for instance, you don't play them at home. If you play at home against Palmeiras, you don't play away. This was not my idea, and I know it sounds unfair and moronic, but why do you THINK we sell so many players? The guys who run soccer here are blubbering idiots! Well, after the first stage, eight teams qualify for the playoffs - and they're played in single matches as well! The team that qualifies in a higher position will play at home against anyone who qualified lower, in one single match, no second match. Hard to believe, huh? This was made up especially for this year, as previous year's playoffs were always with home and away matches. But club officials here are a creative bunch.
What is the reason of this aberrant format, you may ask? The state championships are. Half the year is dedicated to them, because the National Federation's officials are elected by the state federations, and those want to keep THEIR tournaments, because that's where they make money. Get the picture?
And this is the country that won FOUR World Cups. Now, if we were organized, there'd be no competition at all, IMHO...:rolleyes:
Brazil, being a huge continent-sized nation, has over a dozen federations, the state federations. The first semester is divided among the State Championships (Rio Championship, São Paulo Championship, and so on) and the Brazilian Cup, our version of La Copa Del Rey or the Italian Cup. This Cup awards a spot in the Libertadores Cup, the main continental competition.
On the second semester, we play the Brazilian Championship. Now, I can explain the rules of this year's Championship, but by next year that explanation will be outdated, as the guys in charge make up ONE NEW CHAMPIONSHIP EVERY YEAR. I am not kidding. Sometimes it's divided in groups, sometimes not; sometimes it qualifies eight for the playoffs, sometimes four, or twelve. The only thing that's constant is the playoffs stage, considered a tradition.
This year, for instance, we're playing a 28-team tournament, with one single match played between teams - if you play away against São Paulo, for instance, you don't play them at home. If you play at home against Palmeiras, you don't play away. This was not my idea, and I know it sounds unfair and moronic, but why do you THINK we sell so many players? The guys who run soccer here are blubbering idiots! Well, after the first stage, eight teams qualify for the playoffs - and they're played in single matches as well! The team that qualifies in a higher position will play at home against anyone who qualified lower, in one single match, no second match. Hard to believe, huh? This was made up especially for this year, as previous year's playoffs were always with home and away matches. But club officials here are a creative bunch.
What is the reason of this aberrant format, you may ask? The state championships are. Half the year is dedicated to them, because the National Federation's officials are elected by the state federations, and those want to keep THEIR tournaments, because that's where they make money. Get the picture?
And this is the country that won FOUR World Cups. Now, if we were organized, there'd be no competition at all, IMHO...:rolleyes: