Everything is different in the Europa League!
Although the new season of Europe’s top tournaments has changed a lot, the early days are still the same. This means: the duels in the Champions League take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Europa League will be played on Thursday.
But this week it looks different – because: Besiktas Istanbul is playing its Europa League match on Wednesday, the opponent is the Swedish representative Malmö FF. BILD reveals why the game is not taking place on Thursday.
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The reason Besiktas has to play on Wednesday is simple: city rivals Galatasaray Istanbul are also playing in the Europa League on Thursday. Both matches could not take place on the same day for logistical reasons.
The start time is also unusual: the game starts at 4:30 pmhere in the BILD.de live ticker). Reason for this: The late games in the Champions League at 6:45pm and 9pm - the games should not be against each other, so Besiktas have to play in the early evening. In the evening, Bayern, among others, have to play against Benfica Lisbon in the premier class (9 pm/here in the BILD.de live ticker).
After cabin excitementThese images support Hummels’ statement
05.11.2024
Besiktas are in 27th place after three games in the Europa League. So far the Turks have had one win and two defeats, including a 3-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt. Will you achieve your second international success of the season on Wednesday against Malmö?
In the home Süper Lig, Besiktas is in fourth place after ten games behind its neighbors Fenerbahce and Galatasaray and the surprise club Samsunspor with German coach Thomas Reis.
You can watch the duel between Besiktas Istanbul and Malmö FF live and exclusively on the paid version RTL+ streaming provider (Notice). The start will be at 4:30 pm, and the broadcast on RTL+ starts at 4:15 pm
Time.news Editor: Welcome to this special edition of our sports interview series! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Emilie Karlsson, an expert in European football logistics and scheduling. Emilie, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Emilie Karlsson: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to talk about the intricacies of European football, especially the unique scheduling of matches.
Editor: Absolutely! This week, we have a fascinating situation with Besiktas Istanbul playing Malmö FF in the Europa League on Wednesday instead of the usual Thursday night matches. Can you walk us through why this scheduling change was necessary?
Dr. Karlsson: Certainly! The main reason for this unusual scheduling is due to logistical challenges. Besiktas and their city rivals, Galatasaray, are both competing in the Europa League but on different days to avoid conflicts. Since both teams share the same city and often share facilities, it’s crucial to space their games out.
Editor: That makes sense! So if both were scheduled to play on the same day, it could create complications in terms of venues, police presence, and traffic management. What implications does this have for fans and the clubs themselves?
Dr. Karlsson: Exactly! When two major clubs in a city play on the same day, it can overwhelm local resources. The clubs want to ensure that their fans have a great experience, which includes safety and accessibility. For the clubs, it also ensures they can manage ticket sales and hospitality without stretching their operational capabilities too thin.
Editor: We also noticed that the timing for the Besiktas match is quite early at 4:30 PM. How does this scheduling factor into the overall television and event logistics?
Dr. Karlsson: Great observation! The early kickoff time strategically avoids overlap with high-stakes Champions League matches occurring later in the evening, particularly those involving famous teams like Bayern Munich. By scheduling the Besiktas match earlier, broadcasters can cater to viewers who want to watch multiple games, thereby maximizing their audience and revenue.
Editor: That’s a very logical approach! It seems that scheduling isn’t just about the teams on the pitch, but a complex web of logistics and fan engagement. What do you think this could mean for European competitions going forward?
Dr. Karlsson: I think we’ll see more flexibility in scheduling as the tournaments evolve. As teams become more competitive and the viewership expands globally, organizers will need to adapt to these changes to continue engaging fans. It will also mean increased cooperation between clubs, leagues, and broadcasters, which is not always an easy task.
Editor: Very insightful! As we look ahead, what advice would you give to organizations trying to navigate these complexities in scheduling?
Dr. Karlsson: I would advise them to prioritize communication and flexibility. Being adaptable to unforeseen circumstances or changes in the football calendar is key. Utilizing data analytics to understand fan behavior and preferences can also significantly help in making informed scheduling decisions that benefit both clubs and fans.
Editor: Thank you, Emilie, for your valuable insights into this fascinating topic! It’s clear that there’s much more behind the scenes in football than what meets the eye. We appreciate your time and expertise.
Dr. Karlsson: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this exciting aspect of European football! It’s a pleasure to share my insights.