I Have a Controversial Take

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[@Damian_1989]

Is your hot take "i don't like running"?

[@Zikos1127]

Ze: "I have a controversial take" Also Ze: *proceeds to make a point that literally everyone agrees with*

[@curtyos]

outside of some matchups in the ucl i completely agree the ucl has better rivalries the europa has better stories/games overall

[@FIFAmusicMAN]

Side note: my favorite thing from Brighton-Roma was the banner from Brighton’s fans that said in Italian “Totti likes Pineapples on Pizza” 😂

[@NyanC4tUA]

30 seconds into the video, and I already agree with everything Zealand says. You legitimately can't predict the Europa League and Conference League as so many crazy things happen. In the UCL, it's more banter then anything, and it's actually overhyped.

[@ronel7836]

I dont think it's overhyped , it just gets intresting after the round of 16, while the other ones are just CHAOS from the jump lol

[@emelnwoye4449]

Banter i can agree with but overhypes is just down right disrespectful

[@TobQuevedo]

haha exactly, stakes are much higher and you are more punished in the Champions league than in the Europa league, like for example the Atletico Madrid-Inter the other day where it showed that every chance matters in the Champions league, its more punishing, dynamic and tactical than the europa league, its more of a battle between 2 teams, in the europa league and conference league its more like "Aston villa didn't show up the first leg" "Aston Villa showed up the second leg", in Champions league quarterfinals and forward its more like "both teams showed up both legs, but one team took care of their chances"@@emelnwoye4449

[@s_d_1200]

I can agree with everything you said bar overhyped.

[@Poeski]

W take buuuuut, Dinamo Tbilisi aint from Azerbaijan 😂

[@paddyquinlan3329]

He knows his History but not his Geography.

[@Zealandism]

You right, I was tired and trying to flex

[@Ninjakiw1]

​​@@Zealandism everyone makes mistakes hahah. Seem to remember you saying that nordsjælland played in the norwegian league 😂 amazing videos though. Keep em coming

[@liam8664]

As a West Ham fan, these two competitions have given me some of the best matches and memories I could have ever asked for. Coming from behind vs Sevilla at home, Craig Dawson shitting all over Lyon away, Fornals giving it the biggun after scoring against Alkmaar, Freiburg too was up there as one of my favourite games I’ve seen live too. I will treasure these for the rest of my life. I have tried to enjoy every single European game like it may be our last, cos I know eventually, when we return to our normal ways of battling relegation and disappointing seasons, I will miss the magic of those nights. Oh yeah and the small matter of us actually winning a fucking trophy for the first time in 45 years or something stupid, yeah that was pretty fucking good, even marriage probably won’t have me crying happy tears like I did that night

[@Durlano]

that last minute west ham winner in last season's Conference leauge final was the last match that i was waiting for my parlay, i hit 4.700 dollars and i love West ham ever since

[@liam8664]

@@Durlano they do say Bowen is on fire and so were your bets

[@LeeboProductions]

I'll warm up these comment fingers when you warm up those running legs

[@Billisss]

As a young Olympiakos fan I can confidently say that that night will never be erased from my memory. Also the forth goal on our part was a fricking bicycle kick. P.S. Podence was bought by as from sporting and then Wolves snatched him as well as Jose Sa but he came bacm with an option to buy

[@sakuraiishii]

- FM player - Controversial taker - Liker of turtles Zealand "Zombie Kid" Shannon P.S. You should go run because I sure as hell won't.

[@Eponimos]

Zealand come to greece to watch Olympiacos together

[@ewan6752]

The only thing I don't like about the conference league is the almost inevitability that a top 5 league team will still probably win. I think they should exclude the top 5 leagues from being able to enter a team.

[@muhammadrusyaidi2468]

But that's just make the competition less popular, the format right now is already okay and bring more people watch more club from obsecure nation

[@aristaeus2514]

The main problem with that would be that within no time at all, the top 5 will not be top 5 anymore. The leagues are determined on eu coëfficiënts

[@gracielynn9623]

If they excluded the top five leagues, while I agree with the sentiment and would also like to see that, the competition would turn into a financial bust. 60% of your viewers are still watching for those top five leagues. It also reduces exposure for those not top five leagues if they don’t have the opportunity to go to France or Italy and get a win.

[@5corder2]

Agreed. Go run!

[@Unclekase]

He knows his history, geography is where he's losing it (Insert American stereotype joke here)

[@cafeplastique890]

That's why Soccerball is the best. The cliché according to which "there are only few goals so that must mean that nothing happens" is still out there. But all this means is that scoring is HARD. Comparatively low scores mean that anything can happen and the underdogs are more likely to pull a surprise than in any other sport. When a basketball team dominates another, it is soon 50:28 or so and the game is done. You might switch off after halftime. In Football, it may still be 0:0, however much better one team is. Leverkusen had dozens of shots on Qarabags goal and just missed time and again - which allowed Qarabag to sting them with mean counter attacks. Not once, but twice! That kind of thing can break teams. Like "Are we cursed today or what?". So it's testament to the mentality that Leverkusen have this year that they never looked like panicking, but determinedly turned the screw tighter and tighter, like they knew they could force this result and they were gonna.

[@DrZaius3141]

For the most part, Conference League is fun. However, you will always have crazy strong teams who had an off season the year before. The crazy things happen when those strong teams rest their starters against minnows, but that'll stop in later stages. Take the clubs from the 5 big leagues out of the Conference League and it'll be amazing. Have clubs in the 5mill to 15mill wage budget per year range battle it out. Not Aston Villa with 160mill.

[@Chambo1990]

The sad thing is if you don't have the rich clubs the competition doesn't make money

[@DrZaius3141]

@@Chambo1990 The money involved in the Conference League is peanuts compared to the CL, but there's still a decent market. If Sturm Graz plays, most of Austria is going to be interested in that (and rooting for them, because of the ranking points), if Aston Villa plays, only Villa fans care. Of course, if Sturm Graz plays against Lille, many of those Austrian fans will see it as a foregone conclusion while Lille fans won't be bothered watching their club taking a predictable win. So: a) For smaller nations, markets kinda expand and b) a tighter field makes for more interesting games and thus more engagement.

[@Chambo1990]

@@DrZaius3141 not sure where you from but in the UK with the FA cup and FA trophy we have this kind of thing. Even though there is not much chance of Wrexham winning the FA cup they see it as more important because of the money it makes and the only reason there is money is because of the big club in it. Sadly this is why the top 5 leagues have to be in it because travelling in Europe is expensive and the small clubs need the money. By the way I'm not disagreeing with you just pointing out why they are needed in the comp think you are right about how it would make it more interesting

[@DrZaius3141]

@@Chambo1990 But with the domestic cups in England, most of the money comes from shared gate receipts, doesn't it? In the ConfL, teams will fill their stadia either way. And when it comes to prize money - which is a direct result of public interest - my argument from before still stands. A club from a medium or smaller nation will get the entire nation behind it, thus increasing eyeballs on the games, making TV rights more valuable and yielding a better financial prospect for higher prize money.

[@Chambo1990]

@@DrZaius3141 yeah they fill there stadium but when the big 5 league turn up they get to double or triple the price of there tickets and sponsors are a lot more interested when the big 5 are involved and sadly that's who pay the money.

[@jakef6647]

Can we please get a third daily upload on this channel where you confirm that you went on a run today?

[@huncho4847]

El Kaabi's bicycle kick was crazy

[@SlimeCrime121]

I know you'll appreciate this because it is probably the ideal situation for this channel, but having you up on the second monitor while I'm playing FM feels like what this channel was made for.

[@Bagster321]

When Liverpool's 2nd goal was practically skipped over by the coverage because it happened so quickly, I knew it was going to be dominance

[@CTQOrigi]

And it was Bobby Clark’s first senior goal. Imagine no one seeing your first senior goal because you scored too quickly 😂

[@flovd77]

how did u take 10 years of spanish and still call Villarreal "vih-lah real"

[@jamesbaurus5928]

Vihla reeeel

[@sambenham1945]

is that not how its pronounced?

[@isshikireik]

@@sambenham1945 vih-jah real

[@flovd77]

@@sambenham1945 its spanish so the "Villa" is pronounced like "vee uh"

[@LiftandCoa]

thats the problem guys: 2 out of 2 comments explained two entirely different sounds Z is also not currently speaking in spanish which leads most people to adapt a foreign word to their native pronunciation.

[@upthebracket26]

I have many happy memories watching Aldershot play Accrington Stanley in the conference

[@miguelperez4538]

Agree, similar to the 2nd Bundesliga in Germany, where lots of traditional Clubs are battling against each other and the rest. The teams are quite equal, everyone wants to beat Schalke, HSV, Hertha, in the meantime Clubs like Paderborn, Darmstadt, Heidenheim get promoted or are close to promotion. Which results in a high amount of stadium visits (on the 22nd day, the 2nd Bundesliga had MORE visitors than the 1st). I think that at that level, heart and willpower can compensate and beat talent. Plus the defensive approach is hard to beat, as Hamburg and Schalke don´t have the firepower of Bayern, Bayer or BVB. The same applies to the "beneath CL" leagues; They are quite leveled, aside from some exceptions (Bayer, Benfica, Liv., etc.). This equality (or less quality) results in highly fought matches and "surprising"/entertaining results. I love it

[@reverendroar]

Controversial take: *Zealand should never stop running!*

[@chikasnotmadjustdisappoint6266]

Personally, a reason why I like the Europa and Europa Conference league is getting the see the different stadiums and atmosphere of teams you normally don't see regularly in Europe play in. I remember watching highlights and seeing a Portuguese team that literally plays on the side of a mountain and an Israeli team that has underground tunnels behind the goalposts that people come in and out of during games and thought that was cool. As amazing as iconic stadiums like Anfield and the Camp Nou are, the fact that you're almost guaranteed to see them every year does lose their magic.

[@Zero_Requiem]

"CL has the same 6 teams winning...", I see a dig at Liverpool there.😂

[@CammyBouse]

The one thing I would like to see change is something like teams from the top five leagues aren't allowed to compete in the Conference League.

[@SuperJNG18]

Also, given how excited this made you, I'd love your belated take on last season's USL2 championship.

[@Sandromp3]

everytime i watch UEL and UECL i run to my setup and check the players potential on FM to see if i can find a wonderkid

[@milosruss]

Well sometimes I love to watch 5th-6th Serbian League local villages derby where you can see pick drama, emotions. On some local cups you have match for last place that is played before finals and who wins gets case of beer. This match is more fierce then finals because nobody wants to be the last and everyone loves beer. But in the end of the day I want to watch who will be the champion. Thats the beauty of the game.

[@BasedStarClips]

BRO I’VE BEEN SAYING THIS😭😭 Im a Real fan but honestly the Europa League theme song alone makes Europa League better than CL imo😭😭

[@augusto2006-amg]

Yeah I've felt the same for years, UEL& UECL are just more fun. I think the theme songs& trophies look better too

[@ThomasYoung-rq7pq]

Could not disagree more, maybe if u just check flashscore the next day it's more exciting - but the Europa league is much less intense I sit there first half on my phone - europa fan never compete with the inter-atletico intense energy that i am 100% focused on every monent

[@YashMezzala]

You are correct. UECL offers such a diverse group of teams.

[@ThaGamingMisfit]

When I was sitting there thursday evening watching some of the Europa/Conference League summaries I was thinking exactly the same thing. For the past like 14 years I have always looked out for the thursday matches in Europe, not only because I get to see Belgian teams in action, but to see so many teams all over Europe drawing against eachother. It's come this far that when I have to plan some social stuff I try to keep my thursday open as a priority. This year if it wasn't for Arsenal the Champion's League knockouts would only be a footnote in all my sports watching time this season.

[@adarbarrush]

I agree because I remember when the cup winners cup existed and the uefa cup, it was always highly unpredictable and entertaining, from ipswich to gotemburg winning the uefa cup,to zaragoza beating arsenal in the cup winners cup, and a psg team that actually won a european trophy with probably 1% of the budget they have nowadays. For me the 80s and 90s and up to 2004 the champions league was exciting, not just my team porto won 2 ucls,but seeing steaua Bucharest ,psv,red star belgrade winning it, an underdog ajax and Dortmund winning it,a valencia team reaching back to back finals, now the last team that was sort pf surprising to reach a ucl final was Tottenham because it was their first and only, whilst the conference league, for me, has brought back those great memories of the cup winners cup

[@willreid7649]

Absolutely agree. I have been saying for years that the champions league is boring. Same teams in the last 16 every year. Apart from the usual sides every other team that qualify know they have no chance of winning. Best you can do is maybe last 16 but probably fight for 3rd in the group and get Europa league after Christmas Even when my team qualify I still have no real interest other than my team is playing. When we’re in the Europa league we have a chance and there’s a possibility we could win. We were in the final a few years ago. Europa and Conference are absolutely better than the Champions league

[@reverendroar]

Zealand: I have a controversial take Us: isn't that what the Zealandism channel is...

[@MortChrist]

Not to mention that Skov Olsen scored the goal of the midweek

[@lekkerkoffie8605]

It's only because we just had the last 16 round in the Champions League. Those games are almost always not entertaining because in 6 out of 8 matches the difference is too big, like you said. But now, there are only 8 teams left which are all good. Now the entertainment in the Champions League will be back. In the Conference and Europa League there always are a lot of equal matchups all the time. Big scoring games are more a possibility because the level of football is lower. It happens in the Champions League (remontada, remember?) but not that often, because it's quality football.

[@evransev]

first year arsenal in the champions league and suddenly europa is better 😭😭😭😭😭

[@ehgyes]

Man knows his history but not Geography, Tbilisi is from Georgia not Azerbaijan

[@alexcampbell569]

Next Zealandism should be about how Scotland is one of the best countries in football terms. Both excitement and fan support is incredible. Quality isn’t there but most would rather watch entertaining games than 90% possession man city

[@GamerNintendo25]

“I’m looking out for you Dynamo Tblisi” Who’s gonna tell him they’re not from Azerbaijan

[@codenamerishi]

amazing content, love your energy. Also I think the new format is gonna make these leagues even crazier

[@owenchong2490]

i agree with the conference league especially . i know a lot of people first saw it as another UEFA money grab, but more small teams = more underdogs = more underdog stories, simple as

[@johnbeer4963]

So have I. It's to instruct KZbin not to recommend me the channels of people who put up vague and banal titles like this one (also many other things you are not guilty of)

[@conalflood7895]

Better as a neutral. But if your team is in the UCL, it is instantly better.

[@t.c.4321]

Guys, lay off Zealand. He has broken his legs, he can't run. Why else would he not be running ? Would he be faking a disability ? That would be pretty low...

[@alastairnicolson4992]

Man, Tbilisi is in Georgia!!!

[@The04Damian]

Oil money has ruined football. Roll on affect= champions league has become stale. World Cup and Continent titles (euro etc) have become the only legit football we get.

[@xristosmp238]

Dude I'm PAOK and I'll tell the match was crazy!loved every minute of it even though I was very nervous when Dinamo scored! Also we love giannis konstanteliass

[@zak725]

I know it fun to say Real Madrid winning the Champions League is boring, but let’s be honest that PSG, Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool won was insane

[@user-sk7oy4ve9i]

If Pilsen - Servette 0:0 was your favourite, just look at Pilsen result in ECL this year. Going from second qualification round to quarterfinal with only 3 goals conceded...

[@markcraggs6471]

I agree 100%, Conference League is just unreal for random teams causing carnage!

[@pert-smith]

For Europa, you have to put more in. You have to sort of research teams. As a person who does that, I don’t worry about it. For the casual, it’s tough. Put more in, get more out. Champions League gives us a story that you don’t really have to research. Simple entertainment. There’s a reason CL is Tuesday and Wednesday while Europa is Thursday. Don’t compare the two. Just carry on with your processes and enjoy what you can. If you are an absolute football nut, like Zealand and I, the CL is just an interlude for Europa madness.

[@morinvyassibila1978]

Is the video sped up or is Zealand just talking really fast?

[@PunnyPanther]

My controversial opinion is cycling is better than running.

[@jirimatejka7394]

Dinamo Tbilisi is from Georgia not Azerbaijan

[@101AGAMES]

I haz a controversial take , bare with me , your take is not controversial Zee this is why we love sports, rollercoaster entertainment

[@Platy07]

Love the Club Brugge pronunciation

[@josephherlihy2910]

Hey Zealand. I know this is a soccer channel, but I am so curious to know your thoughts on march madness. I feel like these videos would work perfect for the upcoming tournament.

[@user-yx2fu1ph1k]

UCL has been a snooze fest. This was the first year in ten-ish I didn't watch any round of 16 games. Not sure why. Maybe quarters will be better.

[@eirakari]

The Europa league round of 16 Roma-Feyenoord 2nd leg getting to penalties was way more exciting than the champions league games this year

[@sparkz2337]

i personally think that the top 5 leagues shouldnt have a team qualify for the conference lleagues, it would be a lot more interesting and would give smaller teams a chance to win something rather than the serie A and Premier league clubs farming the competition

[@nyykSIUUU]

are you gonna talk about Qarabag? please tell me you talk about Qarabag

[@nyykSIUUU]

i am satisfied

[@TheChocolatBlanc]

His therapist’s been on an L streak.

[@kingkeith3134]

I would love to have you cover the us open cup drama that’s been ongoing for months now

[@miche1df]

"I know my history" >>says Tbilisi is in Azerbaijan

[@guacamoleunited]

Uhhhh...do you want to let him know about Tbilisi?

[@GCAbleism158]

Isn't that the case with every pyramid in football?

[@levi7581]

Yes, the UEL and the UECL are more fun than the UCL even though they don't have the top quality clubs and players respectively. I am a Dinamo fan btw, absolutely crushed by our defeat yesterday, I finally thought we had a shot at European glory, but the insurmountable Greeks destroyed my dreams...

[@tmnaaz4021]

I do agree that they are probably more dramatic. But this is also probably the strongest Europa league in my life watching football (the last 12 years) and I think there’s still a bit of recency bias of conference league. It’s not usually THIS much of a difference. Champions league is definitely the least entertaining this year. But typically, Europa > Champions/Conference (West Ham fan)

[@twilatneedstoxiblast4225]

has he not heard of sevilla or what

[@SuperFiremen]

Benfica Mentioned LETSSS GOOOOO!!

[@KEVIN-vd3qe]

As a Marseille fan, this was one of the worst experiences of my life 😂😂😂

[@adybalanolomete]

If you are into storylines yes, but the point of watching cl is not fot the story but to watch the best football played in the world

[@ralv]

Yea is a smaller tournament

[@ASH-su6nb]

wait i feel like if you represent games of UCL you can have the same hype too.

[@akunwanneprosper7016]

There will always be more Mid clubs than top clubs in general

[@Sandromp3]

if you want entertaining drama, you watch EUL and EUCL if you want to see the best players you watch UCL, i watch both with my whole heart and am never dissapointed

[@OnlyOneTubing]

Plot lines? WTF?

[@FootballMadAdventures]

What app did you use for this video?

[@ethex01]

Brayden Point scored again didn’t he Zealand

[@Shock_Mike_Hawke]

It is controversial for you to not running.

[@kapitanvollsuff6672]

I only needed to hear his Hot Take without any explanation and I already totally agreed to it

[@Rjgj55hyrfhut]

Isn't Tbilisi in Georgia?

[@alehlete830]

Can you tlak about rangers benfica handball

[@nabri-nfg3262]

I don't understand how people can hate on the europa league bc it's always so interesting

[@dislexyc]

11:11 flashbacks to AC Milan Vs Deportivo de la Coruña in 04/05

[@chappyhall6682]

But did you run ze?

[@JimmyNDriver]

Only controversial take I see here is thinking Tbilisi is in Azerbaijan. Great joke, had me howling 😂

[@EmilAnderkouv]

Well I’ll tell you right now that Liverpool or Leverkusen win Europa league. Conference league is unpredictable though, would say that Villa are favorites considering Emery’s European pedigree. But with champions league, there’s a guaranteed finalist of Barca, PSG, Dortmund or Atleti. Imagine Xavi gets to the final and wins after being forced to resign at the end of the season, or Mbappe wins it with PSG once Ney and Messi leave and right before he joins Madrid. On the other side there’s the Arsenal Bayern rematch, Kane returning to north London. Real City rematch in a quarter final is incredible. On the note of the same teams making it, we have 3/8 quarter finalists being the same as last season’s

[@stuartmckenna7979]

2 things.... first, Go for a run. Second, I completely agree the champions league is the least interesting competition out of the 3

[@pachho808]

Dinamo Tblisi is from Georgia 🇬🇪

[@echarts3710]

I like Europa League, except when Sevilla is participating

[@lkl3210]

Many say the championship is better than the premier league for similar reasons

[@iliasVoolgaris]

I think this season a lot of people agree the EL especially is more interesting than the CL.

[@PhantomOverlordX2]

EL and ECL get clowned on far too much. Both are good in their own right.

[@Mrmayhembsc]

Not really a hot take but glad you saying this.

[@ganaed9954]

Comment fingers warmed and ready