Russian Premier League in UEFA champions league: the road ahead
Ever since its inception in 2001, taking on from the first division which was in action since 1992, the Russian premier league has been working hard to make the league a better offering. Efforts are being put in to showcase the talent that belongs to this league.
RPL (Russian Premier League) is a 16-team league, unlike most top leagues which have harbour 20 teams. The top two teams march into UEFA Champions League, while the following four teams are given a chance to make a mark in UEFA Europa League. Bottom placed and the team finishing second last end up facing the humiliation of relegation. Russian outfits also compete for supremacy in Russian Super cup and Russian Kubok cup.
The league has produced some noteworthy talents. With the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Russia-c2991 well with their skill and talent.
Owing much to the efforts put in by the concerned authorities, the league is slowly gaining popularity and respect among European nations. Teams such as CSKA Moskova and Rubin Kazan frequently represent the Russian colours in the Champions League. According to the latest UEFA coefficients, RPL is the seventh best league in Europe. Furthermore, CSKA Moskova resides at the 22 spot in UEFA club rankings. For a league that only recently started the climb, the aforementioned statistics are an achievement in itself.
The Russian Premier League recently agreed to new television deals that can also be taken as an indicator of the league’s increasing popularity. The deals, worth $60 million, will go into effect for the 2011/12 season. The matches will be broadcasted live which will help the league garner more sponsorships and consequently, more revenue.
For all the efforts, there are some factors that still hinder success path of RPL. The league needs to retain its talent in order to take on Europe’s elite. Star performers need to be assured of bright futures. For the league to succeed, help must come from the home grown players. The individuals donning the national colours should represent the country and the league whenever they take to the pitch. To attract world class managers and coaches, the players must prove a point; they deserve to be coached by the best.
Russians are known around the globe for their wealth. Instead of dumping their millions in foreign lands and leagues, domestic investments might be a better idea – http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786’s Roman Abramovich, take a hint!
One of the most important issues RPL faces – somewhat unfortunate to say the least – is the extreme Russian weather conditions. The league is played from spring to autumn. Clubs playing in UEFA Champions League, especially in the later stages of the competition, suffer as the Russian league is already on the season-end break when knock-out stages of the competition commence.
That being said, the Russian league is definitely taking strides in the right direction. With the latest broadcasting contracts, RPL will get some much needed air time. Top managers like http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Luciano-c22574 Spalleti and Ruud Gullit are already in the league. With more hard work and some star signings, the league can embark on a perpetual improvement curve, and there is no reason to look back.
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