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New hope for smaller European countries?

Smaller European countries have fallen behind in continental competitions. Dutch clubs were once leading contenders in European competitions, but are no longer, unable to compete with the likes of Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

An active discussion has now started about a 'super league' for Belgium and the Netherlands: Cross border proposal

It wouldn't strictly be a 'Benelux' league as Luxembourg which has semi-professional or amateur teams would not be involved.

As such, it might not be super enough, but there is the intriguing possibility of other smaller European countries becoming involved, not least Scotland. The idea of such a league was first discussed in the 1990s.

The cited report notes, 'In recent years the Irn-Bru Cup, the Scottish cup competition for teams below the Scottish Premier League, has been revamped to include teams from Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and England. So far, the development is regarded as being a success, and the start of Scotland’s attempts to innovate with cross-border club football.'

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