Last four European Championship tickets to be awarded: who will make the big dream come true?

The last four EM tickets to be awarded: who will make the big dream come true?

About 20 months after the first qualifying match for Euro 2020, postponed to the following year, the last four tickets for the tournament will be awarded today. In the four Nations League Playoff Finals, there is only one game to decide whether or not to be. Newcomers, long-term absentees and surprise teams from the past: the grand finale of the European qualifiers has a lot to offer.

Road D

Georgia – North Macedonia (in Tbilisi)

Both North Macedonia with 37-year-old veteran Goran Pandev and former Lugano Ezgjan Alioski and Georgia benefit from the new opportunity to qualify for the 32-team European Championship finals through the Nations League. Both will be part of a major tournament for the first time.

The two teams already know each other well. They finished first (North Macedonia) and 2 in Group 2 of League C. Both head-to-head duels ended 1: 1. The winner of the duel will complete the group with the Netherlands, Ukraine and Austria in the final round.

The latest meeting between the two sides still has an impact today as Macedonia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski from Spanish second-tier club Rayo Vallecano is disqualified over the decision against Georgia due to a negotiated red card in October. But Georgia is also missing an important man: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. 19-year-old midfielder Rubin Kazan, like national teammate Levan Shengelia, tested positive for coronavirus. The Russian legionnaire scored his first goal against North Macedonia in October.

Mode C

Serbia – Scotland (in Belgrade)

Scotland has a chance against Serbia to end a long trauma. The “Bravehearts” took part in the finals in 1998 and in the meantime there have been ten unsuccessful qualifiers. After all, the latest Scots results are optimistic. Steve Clark’s team have not lost their last eight international games, winning six.

Although the Scottish side are not star studded, there are six Italian legionaries in the Serbian squad along with FCB goalkeeper Djordje Nikolic. Due to travel restrictions, they had to leave the country in order to take part in the playoff final. Aleksandar Kolarov of Inter and Lazios Sergej Milinkovic-Savic flew on private jets shortly before the blockade ordered by local authorities came into force.

If Serbia qualifies for the European Championships, Glasgow of all places expects to host a highly explosive match next year: Serbia and Croatia, opponents of the war in the 90s, will meet on the last day of the European group match. in Scotland. UEFA has ruled out several politically explosive matches in the past, Serbia versus Croatia not one of them. The other opponents in the group would be England and the Czech Republic.

Way B

Northern Ireland – Slovakia (in Belfast)

Slovakia have already qualified twice for a major tournament (2010 World Cup and 2016 European Championship), and now want to secure their third participation against Northern Ireland. But the omens aren’t exactly good: Although the team around captain Marek Hamsik won the semi-final against Ireland on penalties, they’ve only won one win out of nine games recently. Therefore, the federation separated from coach Pavel Hapal, now interim coach Stefan Tarkovic should judge him.

If Northern Ireland qualifies, the team would be the “home team” in nearby Dublin for two European games. So short distances. Even the Northern Irishman, who demanded everything from the national team in the 2017 World Cup playoffs, is not in top form. In the playoff semifinal he won against Bosnia on penalties. Considering this game a draw, Northern Ireland have not won in seven games. The opponents to the EM would be Spain, Sweden and Poland.

Way a

Hungary – Iceland (in Budapest)

Both teams had a positive surprise at the last European Championship in France. Hungary’s first participation since 1972 came in the round of 16, Iceland even made it to the quarterfinals thanks to a surprise victory against England. But there’s not much left of the euphoria from then. In the Nations League, the “Vikings” have not scored a point in four games.

Hungary, on the other hand, recently showed excellent performances: in the playoff semifinals there was a clear 3: 1 against Bulgaria, in the Nations League the “Magyars” celebrated their away victories in Serbia and Turkey. The Hungarians miss coach Marco Rossi due to a positive crown test, but with FC Lugano’s Akos Kecskes there is a Super League player in the squad. Two home games in Budapest with Germany, France and Portugal in the Hamm group would be possible for him and his Hungarians. (pre / sda)