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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Michael Butler

Chelsea, Newcastle and the battle for a Europa Conference League spot

Newcastle Chelsea Conference Conference League Watford Euro Tom Cleverley Football Football Daily Aleksander Ceferin
Eddie Howe looks on during a Newcastle training session
Eddie Howe looks on during a Newcastle training session. Photograph: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United/Getty Images

DESTINED FOR MEDIOCRITY

When Uefa launched the Europa Conference League in 2021, a wave of excitement swept across Europe. While most in England groaned like Brenda from Bristol at the thought of another football competition, those in Greece, Czech Republic, Scotland, and Hungary all initially rejoiced at the idea of an attainable tournament, a safe space blissfully free from state-level wealth and tedious billionaires.

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