Uefa Nations League
UEFA
NATIONS
LEAGUE
The Uefa Nations League is a new international competition for teams in Europe
and its first stage of group matches have certainly provided plenty of excitement.
Football Focus Magazine takes a look at the competition in more detail.
The Aim
Uefa states on their official website,
www.uefa.com, that, “The rejuvenation
of national team football – and the UEFA
Nations League – stems from the desire
of UEFA and its 55 member associations
to improve the quality and standing of
national team football.”
“UEFA and its associations wanted
more sporting meaning in national team
football, with associations, coaches,
players and supporters increasingly of
the opinion that friendly matches are
not providing adequate competition for
national teams.”
The Format
The competition itself is made up of
four leagues (A,B,C and D) with Leagues
A and B having four groups of three
teams. League C has one group of three
teams and three groups of four sides
with Group D having four groups of
four teams.
The winners of the Groups in League
A then progress to play in the finals in
2019 while the Group winners from
Leagues B, C and D are promoted. The
lowest ranked teams are relegated from
Leagues A, B and C (one third placed
side in League C is also relegated).
The UEFA Nations League also offers
four sides a chance to qualify for the
European Championships through play-
off matches.
What Happened
The four group winners in League
A were England, Holland, Portugal and
Switzerland who now all advance to
the finals which will take place in the
summer of 2019 in Portugal. Croatia.
Poland, Germany and Iceland were all
relegated from League A.
Elsewhere, it was a campaign to
forget for Ireland with the Republic
claiming just two draws and Northern
Ireland failing to register a single point
as both were relegated from League B.
Wales retained their place in League B,
finishing above the Republic of Ireland
although Denmark proved too strong for
them.
Scotland won three of their four
matches to finish top of their group
in League C to win promotion with a
memorable victory in their final game
over Israel proving the highlight.
What Next?
England have been drawn against
Holland in the semi-final meaning that
hosts Portugal will take on Switzerland
in the other match with the winners
going on to face each other in the final.
Semi-final 1
Portugal v Switzerland (Wednesday
5 June, 20:45 CET) Estádio do Dragão,
Porto
Semi-final 2
Netherlands v England (Thursday 6
June, 20:45 CET) Estádio D. Afons
www.footballfocusmag.com
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