Scotland are one game away from their first major finals since 1998 after a nerve-shredding win on penalties against Israel at Hampden.
Kenny McLean scored the pivotal spot-kick in the depleted Scots’ first ever shootout, with only a victory in Serbia on 12 November now separating Steve Clarke’s men from Euro 2020.
How ironic would it be that and a 23-year wait that Scotland reach the finals of a major competition and the Tartan Army could not attend because of COVID!
UEFA are expected to suspend the Champions League and Europa League, postponing Euro 2020 for a year, but only after a meeting on March 17, claim L’Equipe.
It was announced today that UEFA were organising a summit via videoconference with representatives of the 55 members associations, boards of the European Club Association, European Leagues and FIFPro to discuss “European football’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak.
“Discussions will include all domestic and European competitions, including UEFA Euro 2020. Further communication will be made following those meetings.”
L’Equipe claim one decision has already been made, as UEFA are expected to announce that Euro 2020 will become Euro 2021.
After the draw was announced, France coach Didier Deschamps said: “It’s the most difficult group, but we have to accept it, that’s the way it is. This will require the French team to be ready immediately.”
What Deschamps was talking about was the Euro 2020 draw Group F that includes holders Portugal, and the most recent two world champions in France and Germany, all three of whom reached the semifinals in 2016. Whichever team makes up the numbers via the playoffs, it will be hard to avoid the thought they have simply won the right to finish bottom.
Didier Deschamps (France) laughed, Joachim Low (Germany) looked ashen-faced and Fernando Santos (Portugal) stared into the distance. Group F, with its six European Championship titles, features holders Portugal and the most recent two world champions in France and Germany, all three of whom reached the semifinals in 2016. Whichever team makes up the numbers via the playoffs, it will be hard to avoid the thought they have simply won the right to finish bottom.
Before the draw, Low said that Germany should not be considered as one of the favorites for the Euro’s:
No.1 in the FIFA rankings, Belgium had the best attack and defence in qualification and should not be worried by Russia, having beaten them 7-2 on aggregate during their journey to the finals. The Danes are an altogether different proposition and will fancy their chances. Finland, meanwhile, have nothing to lose after reaching a major tournament for the first time in their history. Teemu Pukki scored 10 goals in qualifying.
X factor: Looking beyond Belgium’s array of stars, Christian Eriksen ended qualifying as Denmark’s top scorer and the qualifying rounds’ second-best chance creator behind Antoine Griezmann. Out of contract in the summer, unless he extends with Tottenham, the playmaker could be playing to attract the calibre of interest he was unable to arouse [Real Madrid] at the end of last season.
England avoided a nightmare Euro 2020 draw after being drawn with Croatia and Czech Republic in Group D but could face Germany, France or Portugal in the last-16.
The Three Lions could also face Scotland in their group, if Steve Clarke’s side win their play-off in March, with Israel, Serbia and Norway also vying it out for the final place in Group D.
Gareth Southgate’s side will face Croatia in their opening game of the tournament before they face the Playoff C winners and the finally Czech Republic.
England are also boosted by the huge advantage of hosting all of their group stage games at Wembley.
After missing the past two major tournaments, Netherlands’ run to the Nations League final, combined with Ajax making the final four of last season’s Champions League, is undoubtedly to the benefit of the Euros. Ukraine were so good in qualifying that they forced their way into the top seeds, dumping France into pot two. Austria are reliant on maverick striker Marko Arnautovic, but have talent elsewhere in Marcel Sabitzer, Valentin Lazaro and David Alaba. Of the playoff teams competing to complete the group, Kosovo were such a joy to watch in qualifying that it’s hard not to root for them to reach their first major tournament.
Spain will face Poland and Sweden in Group E at next summer’s European Championships, following the finals draw in Bucharest today.
La Roja, who won the competition in 2008 and 2012, were ranked as top seeds for the draw, and will be guaranteed a set number of home games (in Bilbao), as one of the co-host nations.
After sealing qualification earlier this month, the Spanish national team has been mired in controversy, following the return of head coach Luis Enrique.
The former Barcelona boss stepped away from the role during the qualification campaign, due to the illness and tragic death of his young daughter, however he has now retaken his role.
One of France, Germany and Portugal may face an early exit after being drawn together in Group F for Euro 2020 in what has already been dubbed the ‘Group of Death’.
They will be joined in the so-called ‘Group of Death’ by a team from Path A/D following the tournament draw in Bucharest.
That Path A/D team could be any of Iceland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Georgia, Belarus, North Macedonia or Kosovo.
While England avoided those team in the group stage, they could find themselves playing of the three in the last 16.
Luis Enrique made his official return as head coach of the Spain team on Wednesday morning in Madrid, admitting that he felt betrayed by his former No 2 Robert Moreno.
Moreno took over from Luis Enrique in June when he resigned to care for his nine-year-old daughter Xana before she died of bone cancer in August.
Moreno saw Spain safely into next summer’s tournament but then left the job in tears after the last qualifier without giving his final post-match press conference.
The Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] reappointed Luis Enrique the following day amid suggestions he had not wanted Moreno on his staff.