AND THEN there were two. Nine years after dispensing with the European Cup-Winners' Cup, UEFA has reached the conclusion that the much-derided InterToto Cup has also outlived its usefulness.
The consequences of that decision represent something of a double-edged sword for Scottish clubs and their players, some of whom will see their already brief summer break dramatically reduced. UEFA's streamlining process means that a minimum of five
clubs from this country will be involved in Continental competition each year from 2009/10 onwards.
From a financial point of view, the winners of the SPL title (or, to put it another way, Celtic or Rangers) will benefit most. They will be guaranteed automatic entry to the Champions League at the group stage from next year. The downside is that it could mean that the club which claims the fifth and last place will need to make do with a summer break of only two weeks.
Largely unloved, the InterToto Cup has served as a qualifying competition for the UEFA Cup. Hibernian are Scotland's representatives this year and they meet either Swedish club Elfsborg or HB Torshavn from the Faroe Islands at Easter Road on July 6. Should they get through that tie, they'll face one more hurdle before they earn a place in the first round of the UEFA Cup.
Since Partick Thistle first dipped Scottish toes in the water 13 years ago, Scottish clubs have often declined to compete in the InterToto competition due to the early start to pre-season training entry has entailed. However, from 2009 it will be merged with the UEFA Cup to form extra qualifying rounds and participation will be compulsory.
"After next season we go into a new set-up where our champion club will go straight into the Champions League," said SPL secretary Ian Blair. "That applies to the top 12 countries in Europe and we're currently tenth.
"Our second club will still need to play two qualifying rounds. There will be three Scottish clubs in the new UEFA Cup in 2009/10 but the ones finishing fourth and fifth will be starting pretty early – either the end of June or the beginning of July
"Assuming they haven't already qualified for the Champions League, the Scottish Cup winners will start at what is now the first round of the competition but which will then be the fourth and final qualifying round before the group phase.
"The clubs finishing fourth and third will then enter the tournament at the second and third qualifying rounds respectively. Unfortunately, the worst-case scenario would be if the lowest-placed team also loses in the Scottish Cup final to a team which has already qualified for Europe. In that event they'll end up having a very short break indeed because, unlike the InterToto, competing in the UEFA Cup is mandatory for every club which qualifies for a place. As well as being members of the SPL, our clubs are part of UEFA and their regulations state that the fourth-placed side in our league will play in their competition.
"That's it, really, in the same way as turning down a Champions League place is not an option."
Last season saw three Scottish clubs still involved in Europe after Christmas for the first time in 38 years.
Rangers, of course, reached the UEFA Cup final only to lose to Zenit St Petersburg, Celtic were beaten home and away by Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16 and Aberdeen were knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Bayern Munich in the round of 32.
In order for the SPL to reach the stage where half of its members will qualify for European football, though, another couple of seasons of similar success will be required. Currently behind England, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Russia, Romania, Portugal and Holland in the co-efficient table, our clubs must maintain the momentum of recent years in order to gain another automatic UEFA Cup place.
"If we are to increase the number of clubs, we need to reach the top eight," said Blair. "Right now, ninth place looks achievable in the short term. To reach eighth, though, would take another couple of really good years in order to give us a chance. It's a bit further off."
CHANGES FOR 2009-10
SPL CHAMPIONSDirect entry into Champions League group stage
SPL RUNNERS-UPEntry into second round of qualifying for Champions League
SCOTTISH CUP WINNERSEntry into what was the first round proper of the UEFA Cup, but will become known from season 2009-10 as the fourth and final qualifying round before the group phase
SPL THIRD PLACEEntry into the UEFA Cup at the third qualifying round
SPL FOURTH PLACEEntry into the UEFA Cup at the second qualifying round
The full article contains 811 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
