We have now reached the quarterfinals and playoffs in the Nations League. The best teams from the group stage are competing for a spot in the semifinals, while other teams fight to maintain their place in their respective divisions. Belgium must also battle for survival this week. Read all about it in this article.
UEFA Nations League
In the Nations League, 54 UEFA members compete against each other, divided into four divisions based on their international performances. Within these divisions, they are further split into groups, with each country playing both home and away matches against the teams in their group.
After the group stage, teams follow a new path. The first and second-place teams in League A qualify for the quarterfinals, where they play playoffs to determine who advances to the final round. There are also promotion and relegation playoffs across all divisions. We are now at this stage: the quarterfinals and playoffs will be played this week, with the first legs on Thursday and the return legs on Sunday.
Quarterfinals
The four quarterfinal matches in the Nations League take place simultaneously. One of the standout matchups is between the Netherlands and Spain. Oranje faces a tough challenge right away, as La Roja is the defending champion and European titleholder. Coach Ronald Koeman and his team hope to secure their place in the semifinals in this two-legged tie.
For France, Kylian Mbappé has been recalled to lead his team to a potential semifinal. The Real Madrid star has not played for the national team in over six months. In a rematch of the 2018 World Cup final, France will face Croatia this week.
Another star player in action is Cristiano Ronaldo. The 40-year-old Portuguese legend has been called up to captain his country. He shares a strong relationship with coach Roberto Martinez, who is determined to win trophies with Portugal. However, they must first get past Denmark, a team with plenty of young talent. It remains to be seen which team will come out on top.
Another thrilling quarterfinal clash is Italy vs. Germany. Both teams are European powerhouses with multiple titles, but at times, they struggle to dominate consistently. They both have plenty of young talent in their squads, promising fast and dynamic football. This match will undoubtedly be worth watching.
Playoffs
Many other teams are playing playoffs this year to retain their spot in their respective divisions. Among them is Belgium, which faces Ukraine. The Red Devils also have their first test under new coach Rudi Garcia. The French manager will undoubtedly want to make an immediate impact against Ukraine, setting up an exciting match. The first leg will be played on Thursday in Murcia, Spain, while the return leg takes place on Sunday in Genk.
In the top division of the Nations League, Scotland must fight to keep its place. Greece, however, will be eager to take their spot. Steve Clarke’s team has been achieving strong results for Scotland, helping them reach this level. The question is whether they can maintain their form against Greece’s challenge.
Turkey has the opportunity to move up to League A if they can defeat Hungary this week. The Turks impressed at the European Championship, reaching the quarterfinals before being eliminated by the Netherlands. With plenty of young talent in their squad, they might secure a victory against the Hungarians, who have been struggling.
Austria is also aiming for a place in League A. Ralf Rangnick’s squad is sometimes considered one of the strongest national teams in Europe, but they often perform inconsistently. Nevertheless, they did well against Norway and Kazakhstan, earning them a shot at promotion. However, they must first overcome Serbia, who had a tough time in a challenging group with Spain, Denmark, and Switzerland.
There are also several other smaller matches worth mentioning. A fascinating showdown between neighbors Armenia and Georgia will determine a place in League B. Similarly, Slovenia and Slovakia will compete for a spot in that division. On Thursday, Bulgaria hosts Ireland, while Kosovo faces a tough opponent in Iceland.
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