retired_hamed

Robbie Keane?

Why not just call up Lionel Messi while you're at it?

retired_hamed

On the larger issue, in time I don't think national leagues will be anything more than feeders to regional or Europe-wide leagues. The game's exploded over the last 15 years, and although most nations have always had their traditional giants that dominate, with the way lawyers and rights have become involved in the game it's only a matter of time before those with the money make a formal move to break away and put something new in place.

FIFA and UEFA can only oppose it for so long, the power remains with the clubs and players.

retired_dfhern

Robbie Keane?

Why not just call up Lionel Messi while you're at it? </BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm Dutch and I can think of a lot of Belgian players that are good enough for the Dutch team.

How about Vermaelen, Vandenborre, Simons, Dembele?

retired_lisazm2

Only two reasons that the leagues and national teams wont merge. Greed and Pride.
The 'Home' nations are seperate nations. With national pride in their national teams.

Teams and leagues are essentially businesses. None of the leagues would give up their lucrative Champions League spots.

retired_Calin

it would never happen as the lesser team would end up with 1 or 2 players in the squad i cant name 1 belgium player that would get near the holland squad sorry to say and the only none english player in a uk team would maybe robbie keane and thats at a push </BLOCKQUOTE>

Van Buyten – Defender at B. Munchen
Kompany – Defender at Hamburg
Simons – Defensive Midfielder at PSV
Vanden Borre – Defender at Fiorentina
Dembélé – Forward at AZ
Vermaelen – Defender at Ajax
Mudingayi – Defensive Midfielder at Lazio
Mpenza – Forward at Manchester City
Mirallas – Attacking Midfielder at Lille
Dufer – Attacking Midfielder at Standard
Buffel - Attacking Midfielder/Forward at Rangers

And I forgot a few…

retired_Calin

Greed. That's the reason why smaller countries will merge.

In Holland there are 4, maybe 5 adequate strong teams.
In Belgium, we are talking about 3, maybe 4.

In both countries, most of the competition they have to fight real weak teams (which doesn't mean it's simple to win). These are no good sparring partners for the Champions League.

Do you really think I get excited for another Club Brugge – FC Dender?
If we merge, both countries will receive 8 or 10 top games more each year, at minimum.

Also, both their hinterland is rather small and this is influencing TV rights...

When there is more money, players are keener to stay. Now they ran to France, Germany, Spain, Italy and UK. Ajax can’t compete with English teams and so is Anderlecht.

In a combined league, such teams could close the gap with the bigger European countries.

Need I to say more?

Around 1990 Belgian prominent football people raised already the idea. At that time the Dutch were not interested. But the times are changing. Several workgroups and even universities are examining the financial (and other kinds of) impacts on the local football societies.

Marco Van Basten wants it.
Michel Verschuren wants it.

And in general the common people in Holland and Belgium like the idea.

It's not a question if this BeNe League will appear, it's a question when it will appear.

retired_rechard.larkin

it would never happen as the lesser team would end up with 1 or 2 players in the squad i cant name 1 belgium player that would get near the holland squad sorry to say and the only none english player in a uk team would maybe robbie keane and thats at a push </BLOCKQUOTE>

Van Buyten – Defender at B. Munchen
Kompany – Defender at Hamburg
Simons – Defensive Midfielder at PSV
Vanden Borre – Defender at Fiorentina
Dembélé – Forward at AZ
Vermaelen – Defender at Ajax
Mudingayi – Defensive Midfielder at Lazio
Mpenza – Forward at Manchester City
Mirallas – Attacking Midfielder at Lille
Dufer – Attacking Midfielder at Standard
Buffel - Attacking Midfielder/Forward at Rangers

And I forgot a few… </BLOCKQUOTE>
this list just proved my point none of these players are good enough

retired_Calin

it would never happen as the lesser team would end up with 1 or 2 players in the squad i cant name 1 belgium player that would get near the holland squad sorry to say and the only none english player in a uk team would maybe robbie keane and thats at a push </BLOCKQUOTE>

Van Buyten – Defender at B. Munchen
Kompany – Defender at Hamburg
Simons – Defensive Midfielder at PSV
Vanden Borre – Defender at Fiorentina
Dembélé – Forward at AZ
Vermaelen – Defender at Ajax
Mudingayi – Defensive Midfielder at Lazio
Mpenza – Forward at Manchester City
Mirallas – Attacking Midfielder at Lille
Dufer – Attacking Midfielder at Standard
Buffel - Attacking Midfielder/Forward at Rangers

And I forgot a few… </BLOCKQUOTE>
this list just proved my point none of these players are good enough </BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeps, that's why they are all playing for bigger teams.

retired_rechard.larkin

bigger teams than who

FitnessandNrg

it would never happen as the lesser team would end up with 1 or 2 players in the squad i cant name 1 belgium player that would get near the holland squad sorry to say and the only none english player in a uk team would maybe robbie keane and thats at a push </BLOCKQUOTE>

Van Buyten – Defender at B. Munchen
Kompany – Defender at Hamburg
Simons – Defensive Midfielder at PSV
Vanden Borre – Defender at Fiorentina
Dembélé – Forward at AZ
Vermaelen – Defender at Ajax
Mudingayi – Defensive Midfielder at Lazio
Mpenza – Forward at Manchester City
Mirallas – Attacking Midfielder at Lille
Dufer – Attacking Midfielder at Standard
Buffel - Attacking Midfielder/Forward at Rangers

And I forgot a few… </BLOCKQUOTE>
this list just proved my point none of these players are good enough </BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeps, that's why they are all playing for bigger teams. </BLOCKQUOTE>
The Dutch have players in teams like Real Madrid and Manchester United while the Belgium players are at best at 2nd tier European clubs like Bayern or Lazio.