You know, I think UEFA wants to avoid such situations as the one which happened before this EURO, when England, considered one of the strongest nations of the world in football (even though the history does not really prove that theory, but still the reputation is out there), did not qualify for the tournament. I'm sure there were a few other teams which deserved being there, but just didn't have enough luck and lost some stupid points.
At the same time it is about money. But is it bad? I read an article somewhere, that Austria and Switzerland were not really satisfied with the profit they made on organizing the EURO, apparently it was not as much of a success as everyone expected it to be financially. If more nations get to come to the host country it also increases the number of fans coming down, number of people watching the games, number of sold souvenirs and on and on...
However, I do agree with the theory about CL, which I also believe should be only for champions and hurts the smaller nations, such as Poland, who have to go through qualifying rounds and end up losing to teams which were fourth in their divisions. But at the same time it makes CL more attractive to watch... Not sure if there is a right way to solve this.

And that was exactly my point! UEFA wants all the nations THEY think deserve playing in a such competition to participate in the finals, not the nations that deserve it on the basis of qualifying through premilimary matches. That is just one step away from saying that, say, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, England and Holland HAVE TO play in the finals regardless of their current form, cause they guarantee more money. And where is a place for fair competition in that?

// Post edited 2 times, The last time 11.10.2008 o 00:54, author: Przemo