Nov 15, 2023 at 1:37 PM Update: 13 hours ago
A large number of countries will compete for direct qualification for the 2024 European Championship in Germany in the coming days. Other countries await participation in the play-offs. An overview of the state of affairs in the ten groups.
Countries with an asterisk after their name have already received a European Championship ticket.
Group A: tickets are sold
In group A, the two direct European Championship tickets have now been secured by Spain and Scotland. Behind them, number three Norway is still in the race to participate in the play-offs. Number four Georgia is already certain of the play-offs.
Standings and programme
Spain 6-15 (+16) * Scotland 6-15 (+9) * Norway 7-10 (+2) Georgia 6-7 (-4) Cyprus 7-0 (-23)
Thursday 6 p.m.: Georgia-Scotland
Thursday 6 p.m.: Cyprus-Spain
Sunday 8.45 pm: Scotland-Norway
Sunday 8.45 pm: Spain-Georgia
Will we see Erling Haaland and Norway again at the European Championship? Photo: Getty Images
Group B: Netherlands and Greece
Behind France, which has already qualified, the Dutch team seems unable to miss out on the second direct European Championship ticket. The Netherlands still needs one win in the final group matches against Ireland and Gibraltar. If Greece loses to France, even two defeats will not harm the Dutch team. If things do go wrong for the Netherlands, the play-offs will follow.
Standings and programme
France 6-18 (+12) * Netherlands 6-12 (+3) Greece 7-12 (+6) Ireland 7-6 (+0) Gibraltar 6-0 (-21)
Saturday 8.45 pm: France-Gibraltar
Saturday 8.45 pm: Netherlands-Ireland
Tuesday 8.45 pm: Gibraltar-Netherlands
Tuesday 8.45 pm: Greece-France
Group C: Ukraine and Italy
England will be there next year anyway. European champion Italy does not yet have that certainty. The team of national coach Luciano Spalletti first plays at home against North Macedonia and then awaits an all-or-nothing duel with Ukraine, which has second place. North Macedonia is only playing for honour.
Standings and programme
England 6-16 (+16) * Ukraine 7-13 (+3) Italy 6-10 (+4) North Macedonia 6-7 (-7) Malta 7-0 (-16)
Friday 8.45 pm: England-Malta
Friday 8.45 pm: Italy-North Macedonia
Monday 8.45 pm: North Macedonia-England
Monday 8.45 pm: Ukraine-Italy
For Harry Kane and England, European Championship qualification was a piece of cake. Photo: Getty Images
Group D: Wales, Croatia and Armenia
In group D, the battle for the second direct European Championship ticket is normally between Wales and Croatia, although the weaker Armenia on paper also has a chance. The Welsh and the Croats still play against Armenia. Turkey is already assured of a place at the European Championship.
Standings and programme
Turkey 7-16 (+7) * Wales 6-10 (+0) Croatia 6-10 (+6) Armenia 6-7 (-1) Latvia 7-3 (-12)
Saturday 3 p.m.: Armenia-Wales
Saturday 6 p.m.: Latvia-Croatia
Tuesday 8.45 pm: Croatia-Armenia
Tuesday 8.45 pm: Wales-Turkey
Luka Modric still has a lot of work to do with Croatia. Photo: Getty Images
Group E: Albania, Czech Republic, Poland and Moldova
With no fewer than four countries still competing for the two direct European Championship tickets, the tension is high in group E. Albania and the Czech Republic are in the best position, although the Czechs face a tough away match in Poland. For Albania, a direct ticket is the only route to the European Championship; Qualification via the play-offs is no longer possible.
Standings and programme
Albania 6-13 (+8) Czech Republic 6-11 (+3) Poland 7-10 (+0) Moldova 6-9 (+0) Faroe Islands 7-1 (-11)
Friday 6 p.m.: Moldova-Albania
Friday 8.45 pm: Poland-Czech Republic
Monday 8.45 pm: Albania-Faroe Islands
Monday 8.45 pm: Czech Republic-Moldova
The Czech Republic of Václav Cerný, among others, is involved in an exciting battle. Photo: Getty Images
Group F: tickets are sold
Just like in group A, the cards have already been shuffled in group F when it comes to the first two places. Belgium and Austria are certain of the European Championship and are only competing for group victory, which results in a more favorable place in the draw. Sweden has already been eliminated, while Azerbaijan and Estonia can still make it to the play-offs.
Standings and programme
Belgium 7-17 (+13) * Austria 7-16 (+8) * Sweden 6-7 (+3) Azerbaijan 6-4 (-8) Estonia 6-1 (-16)
Thursday 6 p.m.: Azerbaijan-Sweden
Thursday 6 p.m.: Estonia-Austria
Sunday 6 p.m.: Belgium-Azerbaijan
Sunday 6 p.m.: Sweden-Estonia
Belgium-Sweden stopped last month and was no longer played. Photo: Getty Images
Group G: Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro
Hungary and Serbia also seem to be preparing for the European Championships in Germany, although that is not yet the case. As number three, Montenegro is also in the race for a starting permit. Lithuania is the only country in the group that already knows that European Championship participation is no longer an option. Bulgaria still has a view of the play-offs.
Standings and programme
Hungary 6-14 (+7) Serbia 7-13 (+6) Montenegro 6-8 (-2) Lithuania 7-6 (-4) Bulgaria 6-2 (-7)
Thursday 6 p.m.: Bulgaria-Hungary
Thursday 8.45 pm: Montenegro-Lithuania
Sunday 3 p.m.: Hungary-Montenegro
Sunday 3 p.m.: Serbia-Bulgaria
Former Ajax player Dusan Tadic is doing well with Serbia. Photo: Getty Images
Group H: Slovenia, Denmark and Kazakhstan
Slovenia and Denmark are in pole position in group H for the two direct tickets, although the cards have not yet been completely shuffled. Kazakhstan is also aiming for a place in the first two. In any case, the Danes and the Kazakhs are assured of a place in the play-offs; This does not (yet) apply to Slovenia.
Standings and programme
Slovenia 8-19 (+11) Denmark 8-19 (+10) Kazakhstan 8-15 (+3) Finland 8-12 (+3) Northern Ireland 8-6 (-2) San Marino 8-0 (-25 )
Friday 4 p.m.: Kazakhstan-San Marino
Friday 6 p.m.: Finland-Northern Ireland
Friday 8.45 pm: Denmark-Slovenia
Monday 8.45 pm: Northern Ireland-Denmark
Monday 8.45 pm: San Marino-Finland
Monday 8.45 pm: Slovenia-Kazakhstan
Denmark is on course for European Championship participation, but is not there yet. Photo: Getty Images
Group I: Romania, Switzerland, Israel and Kosovo
Just like in group E, four more countries have a chance of a place in the first two. Switzerland and Romania have the best credentials.
Standings and programme
Switzerland 8-16 (+12) Romania 8-16 (+9) Israel 8-12 (-1) Kosovo 8-10 (+1) Belarus 8-6 (-7) Andorra 8-2 (-14)
Saturday 6 p.m.: Belarus-Andorra
Saturday 8.45 pm: Israel-Romania
Saturday 8.45 pm: Switzerland-Kosovo
Tuesday 8.45 pm: Andorra-Israel
Tuesday 8.45 pm: Kosovo-Belarus
Tuesday 8.45 pm: Romania-Switzerland
Group J: Slovakia, Luxembourg and Iceland
Even the small Luxembourg is still in the race for direct European Championship qualification, although that seems a difficult story. Slovakia needs a victory over Iceland to secure the second ticket behind the all-powerful Portugal. Bosnia already knows that it can prepare for the play-offs.
Standings and programme
Portugal 8-24 (+30) * Slovakia 8-16 (+6) Luxembourg 8-11 (-10) Iceland 8-10 (+5) Bosnia and Herzegovina 8-9 (-7) Liechtenstein 8-0 (-24 )
Thursday 8.45 pm: Liechtenstein-Portugal
Thursday 8.45 pm: Luxembourg-Bosnia
Thursday 8.45 pm: Slovakia-Iceland
Sunday 8.45 pm: Bosnia-Slovakia
Sunday 8.45 pm: Liechtenstein-Luxembourg
Sunday 8.45 pm: Portugal-Iceland
Cristiano Ronaldo has already been there five times at the European Championship. Photo: Getty Images
