The previous system did not work but this one also does not work. It is not like this is OG where you need a lot of construction etc. One of the semi finalists can be the host, hotels and logistics can be arranged in a few weeks, and it would be fair. CEV really needs to put volleyball first, not their financial expectations. We all know how greedy and corrupt they are. It is not like yesterday was a major, jaw-dropping organization. I also remember the days when 3rd place was a major achievement and teams still fought hard, even after being defeated the previous day. In the last years, 3rd place matches were just boring because it doesn’t mean anything anymore. They don’t even give the champion a spot in the next editon. They have to make it more appealing. I am sorry but having those weak teams in the name of diversity is just stupid. There are a lot of one sided games in the group stage and those are not off putting for us but for teams as well. They have been including some teams/countries for years, yet we haven’t had a new team that invest in volleyball for years. Quality over quantity.
Yeah, just increase number of spots for top leagues and suddenly the average level of competition will increase. Don't pretend that we have any parity in club volleyball if 7th/8th-best Italian team is much better than some CL-participants, the same for couple of Turkish teams that would definitely increase a level of competition.
Then, delete Challenge Cup and make it two-level competition, so increased number of participants in CL wouldn't decrease the level of lower cups.
Like I said to serdar - I don't like Final Four formula from the past, but Final Four without semi's spot guaranteed would be great.
It's kind of irritating that it would be so easy to make this competition much better. And i'm not even that critical of CEV in this sense that there are obstacles for volleyball as a sport on club level very difficult to jump over, and people think this is on CEV, what's a bit unfair. Yet, current formula is maintained because CEV gets more money from paying fees etc. and not because this is the best for the fans or clubs.