Italy 2010 was actually not as bad as people say either. Their problem was the squad included many older players that really shouldn't have been playing at that level anymore and got outpaced so many times. Some of the younger players were quite inexperienced with the national team as well. Pirlo and Buffon were the best players in that squad and they were injured for 2 games. There was also some very controversial decisions in the Slovakia game, but I believe they would have as well beaten quite a few teams in the Round of 16. Although I must admit the draw with New Zealand was quite atrocious. That was a game we should have won. France 2010, oh my goodness. A complete disaster. Honestly I could even say they were the weakest team in the whole tournament. That team had so much conflicts in the dressing room, were not even training properly. It was one of the biggest messes I have ever seen in any national team. Even North Korea possibly would have given them a good fight in that tournament. I understand South Africa were hosts but not only did they beat France, they were by far the better side in the game and completely dominated them. Not to take anything away from South Africa, but seriously when a team like that dominates a team that were runners up of the last World Cup, that is a sign of a serious problem.
Winner of the group with Portugal, Italy and Poland to host the Final Four main event. - semis on 5 & 6 June 2019 (pairings to be drawn in early December 2018; probably together with the regular ECQ 2020 draw) - final (+ 3rd place play-off) on 9 June 2019 https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/newsid=2543176.html#/
Sorry to interrupt and go off topic but I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm doing a prediction contest for the upcoming World Cup. It basically consists of predicting the results of each match, from group play all the way to the final. Different points will be awarded based on whether you predicted the outcome (who won or was it a tie?) or the exact result (including penalties after extra-time). Depending on how much interest there is, I might do a second one starting from the Knockout Stages. Anyway, let me know if anyone is interested and please feel free to tell others (the more the better).
According to http://www.football-rankings.info/2018/04/uefa-nations-league-2019-simulations.html here are leagues where at least three teams have a near equal probability of winning: B1: Slovakia 37.33%, Ukraine 33.30%, and Czech Republic 29.37% B3: Bosnia-Herzegovina 36.53%, Austria 36.32%, and Northern Ireland 27.15% C3: Bulgaria 31.66%, Norway 30.66%, Slovenia 30.41%, and Cyprus 7.27%
Great! Do we have an idea of when espn will release the schedule of what games will be shown? I’m pumped for this.
I don't think its been announced but ESPN is usually pretty good with these things. Wouldn't be at all surprised if they even show some of the League D games.
I believe we need a change like this. something radical. I will follow this with huge interest. please share all info you find. PP Freelance Sports Journalist https://africanbettingguide.com
Russian FanIDs will be valid till the end of the year. All Sweden fans are welcomed to visit Kaliningrad for Nations League match against Russia. And everyone else too
I'm not sure about that. I received an email telling me that people have to leave Russia by 25 July if they entered the country with their FanID.
Schedule starting to come out now. Germany x France & Italy v Poland, both on espn2 live. Will be interesting to see how games ESPN Plus shows. Nothing listed yet.
I'm more excited for the stage that the small nations will be getting. I know that the teams in group A are good, but I can't wait for the Faroe Islands to show the world what they can do! fsf.fo
Yeah, I agree. Well, not sure I would go that far, but I am more interested in the league B and C teams than the league A games in general. Not sure that all teams in league A will be alright. I could see Holland, Iceland and Poland failing to qualify for the Euros if they finish among the worst third-place teams in their NL group.
I know. But if you do poorly in the NL you will get a tougher group in the normal qualifying. And for the 3 teams I listed , I am not sure they are good enough to qualify through a difficult group.
Predictions anyone? Here are mine for group winners and overall league winner in the case of league A & D (since several league B and C teams will qualify for the Euros, there isn't really an overall winner in those leagues). League D group-winners: Georgia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Macedonia => Macedonia League C group-winners: Scotland, Greece, Slovenia, Serbia => N/A League B group-winners: Denmark, No. Ireland, Sweden, Ukraine => N/A League A group-winners: France, Belgium, Portugal, Spain => Belgium
ESPN schedule starting to come out now (more no doubt will be added in due time): 6 Sept 9:50a: Kazakhstan v Georgia ESPN+ 11:50a: Armenia v Liechtenstein ESPN+ 2:30p: Germany v France ESPN2 2:35p: Latvia v Andorra ESPN3 2:35pGibraltar v FYR ESPN+ 2:35p: Slovenia v Bulgaria ESPN+ 2:35p: Norway v Cyprus ESPN+ 2:35p: Wales v Ireland ESPN+ 2:35p: Czech Republic v Ukraine ESPN+ 7 Sept 2:30p: Italy v Poland ESPN2 8 Sept 8:50a: No. Ireland v Bosnia ESPNEWS 11:50a: Finland v Hungary ESPN3 11:50a: Switzerland v Iceland ESPN+ 11:50 a: Belarus v San Marion ESPN+ 2:35p: Estonia v Greece ESPN3 2:35p: England v Spain ESPN+ 2:35p: Luxembourg v Moldova ESPN+ 9 Sept 8:50a: Ukraine v Slovaka ESPN3 11:50a: Bulgaria v Norway ESPNEWS 2:30p: Cyprus v Slovenia ESPNEWS 10 Sept 2:30p: Sweden v Turkey ESPNEWS 11 Sept 2:30p: Spain v Croatia ESPN2 2:35p: San Marino v Luxembourg ESPN3