Germany prove minnows point

Last night Germany thrashed San Marino 13-0, a new European Championships Qualifier record.

At the weekend we beat Andorra 5-0 and the Scots did the Faeroe's 6-0.

So what really is the point of these games?

To be fair, Andorra have only been an international team for 10 years and in 25 years time they might be a decent force, but I don't think so.

I've heard people say "well what about Lithuania and Latvia"?

I think the difference has to be in the standard of the leagues.

Andorra and the Faeroe's have amateur leagues and no teams competiting in club European competitions. Lithuania and Latvia do.

And I think some guidelines like that should be used to put smaller minnow nations either into a pre-qualifying stage or to simply not enter at all.

I know it gives some players the possibility to play against opponents of the highest level, but in the professional game there is little room for amateurs.

"What about the FA Cup?" I hear.

The difference is that England is made up of a group of the best professionals in England. Andorra is made up of the best of amateurs from a league that you local side would probably dominate.

I've seen teams from Chasetown's league play. They are better than Andorra. And in the FA Cup they, at best, have to play someone like Chelski or Manchester United, who are not as good as England (some would argue otherwise).

I think amateur versus professional in the FA Cup is fine, but amateur versus professional in European Championships is just a waste of everyone's time. Time for FIFA and UEFA to do something about.