The League Cup. Foreign experience
Of the five leading football countries of Europe, only two have their own League Cup. The UK and France.In Albion this competition two years ago celebrated its 40th anniversary. The first tournament took place in the season 1960/61, and the winner then went "Aston Villa". Record the number of trophies is Liverpool ? this year he won the tournament for the seventh time. The system of competition is such that the Cup begins with 1/64 finals, and participation is open to clubs in all divisions. At each stage there is one game. In the case of a tie, the winner is determined in a series of penalty kicks.By the way, the League Cup has another name ? "Worthington cap" on behalf of the main sponsor of the tournament, owns the rights to broadcast. Previously it was called "Coca-Cola cap" and even "milk cap" ("Milk Cup").Interestingly, in the League Cup their first official appearances David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Robbie Fowler.In France, the League Cup is much younger. For the first time this trophy was played in the season 1981/82 and went to the club "Laval". Unlike the British, the French decided to hold the tournament with 1/32 final stage. In the first round of play, the representatives of the second division and the best clubs of the third. The elite comes into the fight with the 1/16 finals.The reason that all clubs have a great interest in the League Cup, both in England and in France, is the fact that the winner of the tournament wins a place in the UEFA Cup..