Brasileirão 2003 Format Change - Complete Table

[Jake E. Boy]

I read last week that the Brasilian soccer federation has decided to change the format of the Brasileirao for 2003 - not that this doesn't happen every year - but this time it sounds more drastic than the usual changes.

The article said that they are eliminating the playoffs, reducing to 24 teams and playing home and away with every team - for a 46 game schedule - and the team that ends up on top is the champion. Very European.

It also said that the championship would start in March instead of August and run into December.

I read about this on CNNSI (Dec 18th) and also in some Spanish on-line paper (I don't remember the name). There was a quote from Richard T. (head of the Brazil Soccer federation whose name I can't remember) saying that the new format would give Brazil's league more respect around the world and provide for more financial stability.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else had heard this also? If the championship starts in March, what happens to the State leagues?

Any opinions?

[tpmazembe]

From what I understand the state leagues are pretty much done for. The main teams will focus on Copa Brasil in the first trimestre and larger regional tournaments (such as Rio-Sao Paulo tournament).

Although not as exciting as a playoff system, I do believe that this represents the potential birth of true administrative professionalism to the Brasileiro.

You will now have defined dates for games allowing for......

1) a humane and sensible work week for the players (no more playing playing as much as 4 games in a week in a myriad of concurrent tournaments)
2) the ability to coordinate dates with international tournaments
3) the ability to sell advanced stadium ticketing, and enhance other team marketing efforts
4) the ability for teams to stabilize corporate sponsorships deals
5) the ability for TV to sell increased advertising
6) increased ability of club management to plan personnel movement
7) fan confidence that the rules will be applied equally for all (stemming from one clear set of rules governing inter-division ascent and descent)

The key is to let this system work and not change it prematurely (except maybe reduce the top teams to 20 instead of 24). If they stick with the system, I believe that stadium, national TV, and international TV revenues will increase substantially......the ultimate effect will be to keep the major talents from looking to Europe for their utopia. If that occurs, the Brasileiro will become without a shadow of a doubt the best league in the world.

I'm all for it.

[Bandeirante]

If this is true, I have to agree that the campeonato will truly be one of the greatest competitions on the planet. I am crossing my fingers that the CBF will make these changes and not screw with them somewhere down the road. Though the tradition of the campeonatos estaduais may be a thing of the past, the stability of a true Brasileirao will by far surpass it. Boa sorte aos clubes do Brasil... especialmente Flamengo!!

[Ombak]

This has huge potential, as everyone else said let's hope they don't tamper with it and give it a legitimate chance.

As far as I understood, earlier this year they decided to shorten but not eliminate State Championships, but to eliminate the Intersate tourneys, like Rio-São Paulo.

So Jan - March would be time for the Campeonatos Estaduais. Does anyone have a calendar for the year? Beyond just the Brasileirão?

[moacir]

I read that the games will be on week-ends leaving the week days open for other competitions.

[Bandeirante]

Please post links to this info, if it is not too late. I usually read O Globo on line, O Estado do Sao Paulo, Futbrasil.com, but I have not read about these changes. It sounds fantastic!

[Bandeirante]

Found it on Futbrasil.com:http://www.futbrasil.com.br/plantao/lenoticia.cgi?id=2426&r=7

[bichodomatojim]

The new format was approved by a 27-25 vote from the voting parties. 4 out of the 5 teams with the greatest number of fans voted against the new format, however. This coupled with the fact that globo is not in support of the change, it may be a while before we know if it will be officially adopted. As always, what seems like a great idea, turns out more complicated. The argument against the format is based on Television & Game turnout. predominantly for the "larger" teams. For example if Flamengo played Fortaleza in Fortaleza the stadium would sell out, but when Fortaleza played in Rio the stadium wouldn't come close to selling out. Also when the end of the season comes around, there are normally only a few teams in the race for #1, which would cause less and less people to watch the games from the middle of the table and down, and if a "larger" team was not in the running, they wouldn't make as much money. The way the current format goes half of the table usually has a chance to make the 2nd round, and in the second round, most games sell out, due to the unpredicability and chance for an Underdog to win, and knock out the top seeds.

This is not a good way to show a "true" champion, but it is a way to make money. The big teams want money now and don't want to wait 4 or more years for the new format to prove itself.

I hope the for the good of the game the new format wins out! It's a better system.

[bichodomatojim]

the complete table for the 2003 Brasileiro is now available. Here's a link:

http://www.futbrasil.com/campeonatos/brasileiro/03/01.html

[PsyKoh]

I've included links to two Brazilan Championship 2003 electronic schedules in excel format. It was made by a dude from futbrasil.com, unfortunately, the website went under.

I've taken the liberty of perfecting the sort macro to allow for more accurate team standings based on most tiebraker rules and I also translated it to english for our "gringo" friends.:D

I'll try to post the scores every weekend on the Brasileiro 2003 thread so you guys from around the world can keep up with the standings. I think foxsports.com also has the scores.

Here are the links, the scores are current as of April 28, 2003:

Portuguese version (you might notice my bias on the way I customized the spreadsheet)-----> http://home.attbi.com/~psykoh/Brasileiro_2003_Pt.xls

English version (Again, you might notice my bias on the way I customized the spreadsheet)-----> http://home.attbi.com/~psykoh/Brasileiro_2003_En.xls