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What is the UEFA Europa Conference League?
Starting with the 2021-22 European football season, the powers that be have created yet another continental competition, the UEFA Europa Conference League. It will be the third-tier offering underneath the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. So let’s answer the questions, what is the UEFA Europa Conference League, and how will it work? (Disclaimer:…
What is the FA Vase?
What is the FA Vase in English football? Well, the defending champions are Warrington Rylands, who play in a 1,345-seat stadium and were also just promoted from the North West Counties League Premier Division. So one thing the FA Vase is not is glamorous. There are many leagues and cups in English football, from fully…
How Does Promotion and Relegation Work in English Soccer?
The system of promotion and relegation in English soccer is something Americans find confusing, since it doesn't exist in our sporting culture. But I think it's one of the many reasons to love watching soccer in England, so here is a little more about how it works. Before I explain what that even means, let's use…
Yes, English Soccer Does Have Playoffs
Are there playoffs in English soccer? The answer is yes, with two caveats: Not in the Premier League, and not to determine championships. Here's more about the playoffs. One of the biggest differences between English soccer and every American sport is that we Yanks rely on a postseason playoff to determine champions, whereas in England…
What is the English League Cup?
What is the League Cup, also known as the EFL Cup or Carabao Cup? There are a lot of things about English soccer that are unfamiliar for the American fan, starting with the fact that the Premier League is only one of several competitions going on during the season. We have a guide to all…
What is the UEFA Champions League?
The short answer is that the UEFA Champions League is the club championship of Europe, and probably, therefore, the most prestigious football competition in the world other than the World Cup. Also, somewhat strangely, it's not a league; it's a tournament. But before we explain more, let’s cover a little history. For a little background,…
A Guide to the Leagues and Cups of English Football
What are all the leagues and cups of English football? This was utterly mysterious to us for years. And it may still be for many Americans. Allow us to explain. First, here's an example of something a TV announcer in England might say that you would never hear an American announcer say: that a team…
Promotion & Relegation in Some European Leagues
Groundhopper Guides has kept you informed about promotions and relegations in English football this past season. Now we turn our attention to promotion and relegation in some European domestic leagues. Here's a look at what happened in a few of the other major European leagues in 2020-21. GERMAN BUNDESLIGA Champion: Bayern Munich (78 points) Bayern…
What is the FA Cup?
As Americans fall more in love with soccer, particularly English soccer, we can sometimes get confused by all the different leagues and competitions. So let us explain one of our favorites, the FA Cup. In the U.S., there are just the leagues: the NFL, NBA, NHL, or Major League Baseball. They play, there’s a playoff…
What is the UEFA Europa League?
What is the UEFA Europa League? Briefly, the Europa League is the No. 2 European club competition, after the UEFA Champions League. Here's a bit more on a competition some non-British readers might not know a lot about. (Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning Groundhopper Guides may receive some compensation if…