The new UEFA is very different, but probably better

Asia’s continental tournament is severely bifurcated, with smaller countries left with no avenue for making it to the Champions League. North America is similar, in that it mostly excludes the Caribbean. Europe has started a move in that direction, making it difficult for the smaller countries of Europe, or those with a shorter history to get into the Champions League group stages.

This isn’t as terrible or elitist as it sounds though. There truly are only a handful of Associations in Europe that just outclass the rest of the world, let alone the continent. Getting another team from Germany in there over getting BATE from Belarus year after year, only to stumble in the group stage just makes for a more compelling tournament.

Not only does this make for a compelling Champions League, but it also sweetens the pot in the Europa League, the little brother to the Champions League. There are more chances for smaller nations to get teams deeper into that tournament, and it’s not assured that the groups will be won by English, German and Spanish sides, like in the Champions League, with Turkey, Austria, Greece and Belgium all having teams charting among the top 12 in the group stage, eligible for a top seed in the Group Stage draw.

Having the best teams in Europe playing all year long, and promoting competition at the middle tier of European football (rather than simply demolition) is going to be more entertaining, and more indicative of the overall health of the game. Also, from UEFA’s standpoint, this encourages the clubs still involved to be invested, rather than feeling like they are in the loser’s bracket, as the 4^th place team from Italy, or something.

As it stands, Rosenborg is one of two teams from Norway that finds itself in the group stage of the Europa Leage, which seems about given the current talent level now in the Europa League. There was room for Dudelange to become the first Luxembourgian team to qualify for a group stage of any European tournament. They will get a murderer's row, however, of down on their luck European powerhouses, with Real Betis, AC Milan and Olympiakos all scheduled to visit the tiny enclave.

As for the Norwegian sides, the outlook is less daunting. Rosenborg will get a pair of Red Bull affiliated teams from Salzburg and Leipzig, as well as frequent European opponent Celtic, who they have played well against in the past. Sapsborg will contend with Malmo, Besiktas and Genk, surely a manageable group. 

And that's the whole point. Everyone stands to be competetive this year, regardless of the tournaments they find themselves in. Sure, you can be upset that not as many small associations get a crack at the Champions League, but this is going to make for better, more engaging soccer all the way around.