Qualifiers Euro 2016: how to turn 53 in 23

Less than six months left before the qualifying groups draw new European championship.New - in every sense.In the summer of 2016 we are waiting for an unprecedented sweep of the finals: France will gather 24 teams.
 The French get on the Euro automatically, the remaining 23 vouchers will be handed out traditional - on the basis of selection, which will start on 53 teams (the same as always, plus rookie Gibraltar).

Strangeness here is that the openings of the screen is very broad.

Before the maximum number of commands defined by the European "selection" was equal to 15 - for Euro 96 and -2004.

At the World Championships, the Old World has fewer.

Hence, for Euro-2016 format selection will be upgraded. But how?

A breakdown by groups appointed on February 23. By the standards of today's fast paced life - very soon. And in the UEFA still no clear understanding of how to divide 53 to get 23.

The nearest meeting of the executive committee, the next week in the Croatian Dubrovnik, has no plans to pursue the matter. Perhaps the best solution would be taken to a December meeting in Bilbao, and we just have to wait a bit. Yes, but the same can not wait to see the future!

"SE" decided to help the football European Union and has made a collection of options for qualifying. In every way and for every taste.

Option number 1: TRADITIONAL

Number of groups - 9 : eight commands to 6 and one 5

Directly to the finals - 19 : 2 of the winner of each group and the best among the teams, who took third place

Through the playoffs - 4 : engage the remaining 8 teams, who took third place

Exactly the same composition of groups, both in the European World Cup Qualifiers 2014. The obvious advantage of its application to the Euro-2016 - it is all familiar, well run-in, and easily fits into a single international calendar.

The main drawback - the system out of the group. Even when at stake is only one guaranteed pass, many favorites manage to get her early. When the bushing seats will be two strongest teams begin to lose motivation tournament in early summer. On the other hand, extremely aggravated the dispute for the 2-3 places, and even the team level welterweight retain the possibility to get into the playoffs until the last game of the day.

OPTION number 2: Simple

Number of groups - 11 : 5 nine commands in two to 4

Directly to the finals - 23 : 2 of the winner of each group and the best among the teams, who took third place

Through the playoffs - 0

Competition in compact groups with two "clean" final vouchers practiced in 80-90s and then looked best selection formula. Grants to the shortened distance in 8 rounds do not have time to escape from his pursuers, and the whirlwind in the middle of the table unending. Convenient for both the calendar: at least, do not meet in a match at the beginning of the holiday of the summer.

Minus - the team from the "Quartet", which will play a total of 6 times, can get bored from the lack of official meetings. In addition, there is inherently unequal condition in the top four to gain bonus points for the best third-place is much more difficult than in the top five. Well, no playoffs, beloved by everyone from government officials to the fans, too, reduces the attractiveness of options.

OPTION number 3: Reasonable

Number of groups - 8 : 7 to five commands in three to six

Directly to the finals - 23 : 3 winners for each group, except among the worst teams, who took third place

Through the playoffs - 0

With the "number two" this version unites the abolition of "joints." Advantages are obvious: third place in the final output, and it promises a hellish inferno throughout the competition - especially in smaller groups. Increased league race will surely enjoy UEFA, who does not show much sympathy for friendly matches and gladly replace them with additional official.

It is bad that the finish will be engaged in many calculations and produce the required results, not to be "the odd man out", rather more than a third. Such math has never benefit the football did not go.

OPTION number 4: SCALE

Number of groups - 7 : four to eight commands to 7 three

Directly to the finals - 21 : 3 of the winner of each group

Through the playoffs - 2 : 4 teams involved, who took 4th place in the "large" groups

In this format, European teams will be busy all year round affair. Fourteen qualifiers leave no room for sparring: we'll have to play in full autumn, spring, summer, and fall again. The flaw is laid in the amount of prizes and described in option number 1: Germany, Spain, Holland, another 2-3 teams will ensure a place in the top three in June, and then in March, and will buhtet unhappy that instead of meeting with commercially viable Brazil, Argentina or with each other, they are forced to spend time on a useless trip to Andorra.

OPTION number 5: PRESIDENTIAL

Number of groups - 9 : seven "elite" commands to 6, two "promising" 6 and 5 respectively,

Directly to the finals - 23 : 3 winners for each of the "elite group" and one winner from each "forward-looking"

Through the playoffs - 0

Michel Platini inclined to help "small" countries. He platted rope ladders for them in the Champions League, which is forbidden to climb heavyweights. Why does not he write now for special conditions and evrootbora? In one fell swoop, UEFA president could save Gullivers on voyages to the Lilliputians, and even give a historical chance to play at the European Championships. All the same 24 participants. Two dwarf blade will not spoil, and colors will add. And certainly perform better than a great team of Tahiti in the Confederations Cup.

The scheme is simple: the weakest 11 rated European teams stand out in the "forward-looking pool", sorted into two divisions and identify each one party to the final tournament. Imagine how Zaruba Luxembourg to Malta? Through this approach to be able to get the Euro Georgia, Estonia and Northern Ireland. Under normal circumstances, the way there for them is closed, and there will be a legitimate loophole. Unless, of course, the Georgians will not be offended for the weak, and does not require them to change with the Belarusians. Well, then, come to Euro Belarusians, they are not proud.

OPTION number 6: REVOLUTIONARY

The number of groups - 13 : in eleven "elite" of 4 teams, two "promising" 5 and 4

Directly to the finals - 22 : two each winner "an elite group"

Through the playoffs - 1 : attended by winners of the two "promising bands"

Walk - so to walk. The difference with the "Presidential layouts" in an amount dwarfs (9) and the width of the groups (4 to nearly all commands).

Adjustment is made on purpose. Qualifying tournament, smeared with a thin layer of 14 months and cutting off little more than half of participants in relation to the Euro-2016 actually looks like an anachronism. Too little laid it real intrigue, provoking spectacle. Football with popcorn do not look - emotions need a juicy appetizer (and someone and puff and booze), and without passion turns dull tyagomotina. It is threatened by the new selection. And yet - the visits of outsiders to the games without a tournament value, and, on the contrary, their visits to the grandees of the October to empty stadiums.

There is an idea: to conduct a concentrated selection. Not the legwork, and in one of the participating countries Quartet - exactly the same as the Euro-2020. Circle in the same country, the circle to the other, by appointment. You can meet in three weeks. The ones June that in even years are busy world or European championships, and the odd empty. This will complete the tournament with a training preparation, with the applications with databases. With the influx of tourists to every country in Europe was able to get a feel for what it is - to take the football festival.

A full round-prekrugly year teams start up doing what they want. Collected, sorted out, arrange commercial merrymaking and demonstrations. Or bloom until mid-May, without interfering with club football and compacting calendar. Also an option.