Done and I edited your earlier post. Remember the saying, "don't drink and post to the Internet; it makes you look like a fool!"
Dutch avoided Portugal and are in Group C along with Ukraine, Austria and the winner of Group D (Georgia, Belarus, Kosovo or Macedonia). I think if Romania win their group they slot in here. Group of Death really is harsh: Germany, France, and Portugal
Great draw for Netherlands. Probably the easiest they could have hoped for being in Pot B. Only Czech Republic would have been easier to face imo. Group F is one of the toughest groups I've seen. 2014 World Cup winners, 2016 Euro winners, and 2018 World Cup winners
2008 Euros where the Dutch drew Italy, France and Romania was pretty tough and the Dutch were on fire.
Great draw for Oranje... and with all matches will be in the home turf, there isn’t any real danger of not going through, unless the team is self-implode (Euro 96 came to mind). The proverbial “group of death” loses its meaning in this weird 24-team set up, where four out of six third-place finishers will go through. I can see the script already... Germany, France and Portugal will play safe against each other (it will be three super boring matches, but in the end no teams gains or loses points) - and will try to beat the crap out of the poor fourth member of the group.
In fact, if I did understand the whole system correctly, it can't be called a group of death as the top 3 progress. It would be one if only two would move on.
Based on the new group system I would have to strongly disagree. Out of the 6 groups, in 4 of the groups the third place team will go through. This means that the chance of all three making it out of the group of death are relatively likely. Therefore this is nowhere near the groups that the Netherlands has had in our previous Euros campaigns. In our last two campaigns we had: 2012 - Germany, Portugal, The Netherlands, Denmark - That was a RIDICULOUS group at a time when only the top two teams went through. In between our 2nd place finish at the 2010 World Cup and our 3rd place finish at the 2014 World Cup we crashed out of this group as third. 2008 - France, Italy, The Netherlands, Romania - Another ridiculous group with both world cup finalists from 2 years prior and only the top 2 teams going through. France was the loser in this GOD. Hell even our tournament before that in 2004 was worse: 2004 - Germany, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Latvia - This was at a time when Czech Republic was very highly rated and seen as one of the tournament favorites. Germany ended up crashing out of this group of death. Even before that in 2000 our group was considered the group of death. 2000 - France, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Denmark - At a time when again Czech Republic was considered a very strong team. France went on to win while the Netherlands went on to take 3rd place after losing the semi-final penalty shootout against Italy after dominating the game and also missing two penalties during regulation time. Basically France and the Netherlands were the two best teams of this tournament. So while the Portugal, Germany and France group is pretty ridiculous and by far the toughest group, the new system really takes away the drama of the group stages. To be honest it kind of makes the group stages feel pointless. Typical that the first time ever that we don't have the group of death the system changes reducing the deadliness of the group of death. edit: I see that other posters have already beaten me to it!
It's like the inflated set up is being deflated by getting rid of the also running along teams that in the normal circumstances would have been deleted from competition in the qualifiers. They in a way incorporated a part of the qualifying proces in the tournement itself and in fact let the real tournement start after the group stage. Alot of superfluous matches.
Ukraine could also fancy their chances here as they will definitely not be a walk over team. They beat Portgual in the qualifications and also finished top of the group if I'm not wrong. Austria and who ever the third team will be,should be in bag easily.
So the 4th team in our group can only be 1 of the following countries, Bulgaria, Hungary, Iceland or Romania. Do I have this correct??
No, you don't. We get the winner of Playoff Group D unless Romania win Playoff Group A. If that happens we automatically get Romania because our group includes matches in Amsterdam and Bucharest. Romania would play at home as per how UEFA has structured the tournament. If Romania do not win, we get the winner of: Kosovo, North Macedonia, Belarus or Georgia. All three of the Dutch group matches will be in Amsterdam. Dutch will be on the road if they progress out of the group. Winning goes to Budapest to play third place team from Group D, E or F. Full schedule is on the UEFA Website and there are a lot of combinations. Semifinals and Final are in London.
Should be able to win group C. Then 3D/E/F (Czech/Poland/Germany/Portugal) for Round of 16. then 2A/2B (Switzerland/Denmark) for QF, then England/Croatia/Spain/Portugal/Germany in SF. Netherlands is not the favourite like France, Portugal, Spain, England, Belgium but it is the dark horse and hopefully Koeman goes for the cup, not like the Nations League outcome. Group A (Rome/Baku): Turkey, Italy (hosts), Wales, Switzerland Group B (Copenhagen/St Petersburg): Denmark (hosts), Finland, Belgium, Russia (hosts) Group C (Amsterdam/Bucharest): Netherlands (hosts), Ukraine, Austria, Play-off winner D or A Group D (London/Glasgow): England (hosts), Croatia, Play-off winner C, Czech Republic Group E (Bilbao/Dublin): Spain (hosts), Sweden, Poland, Play-off winner B Group F (Munich/Budapest): Play-off winner A or D, Portugal (holders), France, Germany (hosts) Round of 16 Saturday 27 June 1: 2A v 2B (18:00, Amsterdam) 2: 1A v 2C (21:00, London) Sunday 28 June 3: 1C v 3D/E/F (18:00, Budapest) 4: 1B v 3A/D/E/F (21:00, Bilbao) Monday 29 June 5: 2D v 2E (18:00, Copenhagen) 6: 1F v 3A/B/C (21:00, Bucharest) Tuesday 30 June 7: 1D v 2F (18:00, Dublin) 8: 1E v 3A/B/C/D (21:00, Glasgow) Quarter-finals Saint Petersburg hosts the first quarter-final©Getty Images Friday 3 July QF1: Winner 6 v Winner 5 (18:00, Saint Petersburg) QF2: Winner 4 v Winner 2 (21:00, Munich) Saturday 4 July QF3: Winner 3 v Winner 1 (18:00, Baku) QF4: Winner 8 v Winner 7 (21:00, Rome) Semi-finals Tuesday 7 July SF1: Winner QF2 v Winner QF1 (21:00, London) Wednesday 8 July SF2: Winner QF4 v Winner QF3 (21:00, London)
Actually The Netherlands finished dead last and 4th in the group with 0 points in 2012 : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2012#Group_B
I remember that group stage, the very first match became the signature for the whole group stage. We lost stupidly to the Danes and as a result of that we couldnot afford to spill points against the power houses, so got into a cramp of nervousness etc.
Read that Kees v Wonderen has left the Oranje assistant coach role, and that now Koeman is looking for a new person. Not exactly sure if this will impact anything, although less disruptions are always preferred in months leading up to a major tournament...
I donot know how we're faring with the Orange seeding status, but we need to do well in the Euros as for the WC 2022 only the winner of the group gets a ticket for the WC. So it's para mount to get as high a status as possible as we donot want another group with an A team in it.
It's weird that Atalanta are not permitted to play CL games in their own arena in Bergamo. Stadium has to be fixed because of structural problems and they play their CL matches in Milan.
A resume of the countries that qualified: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...-2020-places-following-qualifying-groups.html From world champions France to first-timers Finland, optimistic England to revitalised Italy... meet the 20 nations who have secured their Euro 2020 places following the qualifying groups The line-up for next summer's European Championship finals is taking shape 20 of the tournament's 24 teams have now booked their passage to the finals The remaining four qualifiers will be determined by March's play-off rounds Tournament will be staged in 12 cities spread right across Europe By Adam Shergold for MailOnline Published: 13:46 GMT, 20 November 2019 | Updated: 15:32 GMT, 20 November 2019 Next summer's European Championship is really taking shape, with 20 of the 24 nations now confirmed for the finals. They are the ones who have made it through automatically as a result of the qualifying stage, finishing first or second in their groups. We profile the 20 sides who have secured their invite to the trans-continental party. AUSTRIA How did they qualify? Runners-up in Group G Top scorer in qualifying: Marko Arnautovic (6) Previous best at Euros: Group stages in 2008 and 2016 Euro 2016: Group stage FIFA Ranking: 25 Manager: Franco Foda - the German rounded off his playing days in Austria with Sturm Graz and later became their manager before taking over the national team job in January last year. Having secured qualification, his next task is to achieve a first victory at a major finals since the 1990 World Cup. Star player: Marko Arnautovic - the hard-to-contain striker has been in prolific form for his country this year having swapped West Ham for Chinese club Shanghai SIPG back in July. BELGIUM How did they qualify? Winners of Group I Top scorer in qualifying: Romelu Lukaku (7) Previous best at Euros: Runners-up in 1980, lost 2-1 to West Germany Euro 2016: Lost 3-1 to Wales in quarter-finals FIFA Ranking: 1 Manager: Roberto Martinez - a manager well known to an English audience following his lower league playing career and stints in charge of Swansea, Wigan Athletic and Everton. Now tasked with guiding Belgium's 'Golden Generation' to some kind of tournament success. Star player: Eden Hazard - Hasn't exactly set the world on fire since his £90million summer move from Chelsea to Real Madrid but still of crucial importance to Belgium's chances with his world class speed, trickery and creativity. CROATIA How did they qualify? Winners of Group E Top scorer in qualifying: Bruno Petkovic (4) Previous best at Euros: Quarter-finals in 1996 and 2008 Euro 2016: Round of 16, lost 1-0 after extra time to Portugal FIFA Ranking: 7 Manager: Zlatko Dalic - earned plenty of plaudits in Croatia and beyond for taking them to the final of last year's World Cup in his first taste of international management. The wins have continued since the high of last summer and Croatia will again be tricky customers at Euro 2020. Star player: Luka Modric - the man who broke the monopoly of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi by winning last year's Ballon d'Or off the back of Croatia's World Cup run. Still hugely influential for his country even after 13 years and 127 caps with his vision in midfield. CZECH REPUBLIC How did they qualify? Runners up in Group A Top scorer in qualifying: Patrik Schick (4) Previous best at Euros: Winners in 1976 (as Czechoslovakia), beat West Germany on penalties after 2-2 draw. Euro 2016: Group stage FIFA Ranking: 43 Manager: Jaroslav Silhavy - the former defender holds the record for the most appearances in the Czech top-flight with 465 before a successful conversion into coaching. He was the Czechs assistant manager between 2001 and 2009 before getting the top job in 2018. Steered them to second place in qualifying behind England, inflicting the only defeat of the campaign on Gareth Southgate's side last month. Star player: Tomas Soucek - the 24-year-old midfielder has become increasingly important to the national side as he has with his club Slavia Prague, winning two league titles and two Czech cups in recent years. DENMARK How did they qualify? Runners-up in Group D Top scorer in qualifying: Christian Eriksen (5) Previous best at Euros: Winners in 1992 Euro 2016: Did not qualify FIFA Ranking: 14 Manager: Age Hareide - the Norwegian is something of a Scandinavian expert having won league titles in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Took the Danes to the last 16 of the World Cup last year before their elimination on penalties by eventual finalists Croatia. Star player: Christian Eriksen - the best known Danish player who is fast approaching 100 caps for his country. Eriksen may well be coming to the end of his time with Tottenham Hotspur and Euro 2020 will be a chance for him to place his many talents in the shop window. ENGLAND How did they qualify? Winners of Group A Top scorer in qualifying: Harry Kane (12) Previous best at Euros: Third place in 1968, lost 1-0 to Yugoslavia in semi-finals Euro 2016: Last 16, lost 2-1 to Iceland FIFA Ranking: 4 Manager: Gareth Southgate - England remain a work in progress but they have been transformed since Southgate took over as their manager at the end of 2016. Led England to the semi-finals of last year's World Cup, into the Nations League finals and comfortably through the qualifiers. Now to end those long years of hurt on home soil next summer. Star player: Raheem Sterling - incredible returns of goals and assists in recent months for Manchester City and England have confirmed Sterling's world class status. The forward seems to get better every time he takes to the field. Let's hope his bust-up with Joe Gomez in the latest England camp doesn't cause long-term friction. FINLAND How did they qualify? Runners up in Group J Top scorer in qualifying: Teemu Pukki (10) Previous best at Euros: Never qualified Euro 2016: Did not qualify FIFA Ranking: 55 Manager: Markku Kanerva - the former defender was capped by Finland 59 times as a player before serving first as the country's under-21 coach and then assistant before stepping up to the top job in 2016. Has worked wonders to deliver Finland to their first-ever major tournament. Star player: Teemu Pukki - It was an astonishing qualification campaign for the Norwich City man, who scored 10 times to propel Finland to their first finals. He will be their main goalscoring threat next summer but first has to save his club from dropping out of the Premier League. FRANCE How did they qualify? Winners of Group H Top scorer in qualifying: Olivier Giroud (6) Previous best at Euros: Winners in 1984 and 2000 Euro 2016: Runners-up, lost 1-0 to Portugal FIFA Ranking: 2 Manager: Didier Deschamps - national hero status is well and truly confirmed for Deschamps, who captained Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000. And having been appointed manager in 2012, he led a ridiculously talented squad to a memorable World Cup win in Russia last year. They will start Euro 2020 as one of the strong favourites having experienced bitter disappointment in 2016. Star player: Antoine Greizmann - absolutely outstanding at Euro 2016 and also the World Cup in 2018, Griezmann is certainly a player for the big tournament occasion. Has 30 goals in 78 outings for the national side and will be instrumental again no doubt. GERMANY How did they qualify? Winners of Group C Top scorer in qualifying: Serge Gnabry (8) Previous best at Euros: Winners in 1972, 1980 and 1996 Euro 2016: Semi-finals, lost 2-0 to France FIFA Ranking: 16 Manager: Joachim Low - preparing for his seventh major tournament, long-serving Low will be desperate to atone for the humiliation of their group stage exit at the World Cup, having been the reigning champions from 2014. Low has subsequently shaken things up in the squad and Germany will, as ever, be rated among the favourites. Key player: Toni Kroos - One of the few veterans of that 2014 triumph to have survived Low's recent culls to make room for fresh blood. The 29-year-old Real Madrid midfielder's passing and vision remain an essential component. HOLLAND How did they qualify? Runners-up in Group C Top scorer in qualifying: Georginio Wijnaldum (8) Previous best at Euros: Winners in 1988 Euro 2016: Did not qualify FIFA Ranking: 12 Manager: Ronald Koeman - after the embarrassment of failing to make Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, Koeman has revitalised the Dutch side by bringing through talented youngsters. Reaching the final of the Nations League back in the summer was a good yardstick of the progress made and they will expect to do well at Euro 2020. Star player: Virgil van Dijk - Likely the best defender in the world at the moment, Van Dijk was pivotal in Liverpool's Champions League win last season and is key to their Premier League title challenge now. He will be the rock at the back upon which Dutch hopes are based for many years ahead. ITALY How did they qualify? Winners of Group J Top scorer in qualifying: Andrea Belotti (5) Previous best at Euros: Winners in 1968, beat Yugoslavia 2-0 in replay. Euro 2016: Quarter-finals, lost to Germany on penalties FIFA Ranking: 15 Manager: Roberto Mancini - appointed after Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Mancini has helped turn their fortunes around and Italy reached the Euros with a perfect 10 wins out of 10 in their qualifying group. Having not been a major force for a while, he has offered hope the Azzurri are on their way back. Star player: Marco Verratti - a smooth operator in central midfield, Verratti has enjoyed a hugely successful few years with Paris Saint-Germain. If he can transfer that to the national team, they may well challenge. POLAND How did they qualify? Winners of Group G Top scorer in qualifying: Robert Lewandowski (6) Previous best at Euros: Quarter-finals in 2016, lost on penalties to Portugal after 1-1 draw Euro 2016: Quarter-finals FIFA Ranking: 21 Manager: Jerzy Brzeczek - a Poland international midfielder during the 1990s, Brzeczek took over as manager in 2018 but struggled in the Nations League as the team suffered relegation from the top tier. Qualifying hasn't been a walk in the park either, with calls for him to quit after a loss to Slovenia. However, they got there in the end and he will lead them forward. Star player: Robert Lewandowski - it looks as though lethal Lewandowski could enter the Euros in the best scoring form of his career. In insanely good form for Bayern Munich, with 23 goals in their opening 18 games of the season, he is already Poland's all-time leading scorer with 60 goals to his name. PORTUGAL How did they qualify? Runners-up in Group B Top scorer in qualifying: Cristiano Ronaldo (11) Previous best at Euros: Winners in 2016 Euro 2016: Winners, beat France 1-0 in the final FIFA Ranking: 6 Manager: Fernando Santos - Santos, who was appointed national team coach in 2014, has delivered long-anticipated success to Portugal by winning the last European Championship in 2016 and last summer's UEFA Nations League. It will be a tall order to defend their crowd, however. Star player: Cristiano Ronaldo - still one of the finest players on the planet even at the age of 34, Ronaldo has truly excelled for Portugal since scratching the itch of winning a major international tournament at Euro 2016. He took his international tally to 99 goals during the final round of qualifiers and will wish to make his mark on another finals. RUSSIA How did they qualify? Runner-up in Group ! Top scorer in qualifying: Artem Dyzuba (9) Previous best at Euros: Winners in 1960 as USSR; semi-finals in 2008 as Russia Euro 2016: Group stage FIFA Ranking: 37 Manager: Stanislav Cherchesov - The former national team goalkeeper took the reins in August 2016 and exceeded expectations by guiding Russia to the quarter-finals of their home World Cup, a run which included a memorable penalty shoot-out win over Spain. He has continued that momentum by getting them to another finals. Star player: Artem Dzyuba - Excelled in qualifying with nine goals - albeit four came in a 9-0 win over San Marino - and is clearly Russia's leading goal threat. The Zenit St Petersburg forward has a very good international goal record of 24 in 40 games. SPAIN How did they qualify? Winners of Group F Top scorers in qualifying: Alvaro Morata, Sergio Ramos, Rodrigo (4) Previous best at Euros: Winners in 1964, 2008 and 2012 Euro 2016: Last 16, lost 2-0 to Italy FIFA Ranking: 8 Manager: Luis Enrique - After seeing his former assistant Robert Moreno wrap up Spain's qualification, Luis Enrique announced he was returning to the fold 11 months after stepping down because of his daughter's ill health. Xana tragically passed away from bone cancer aged nine back in August. Star player: Sergio Ramos - still the chief even at the age of 33, Ramos organises the Spain defence and supplied the leadership. He also chips in with a few goals, usually from the penalty spot after pulling rank to take them during qualifying. Likely has one tournament left in him. SWEDEN How did they qualify? Runners up in Group F Top scorer in qualifying: Robin Quaison (5) Previous best at Euros: Semi-finals in 1992 Euro 2016: Group stage FIFA Ranking: 18 Manager: Janne Andersson - The man responsible for revitalising the Swedish side following a poor Euro 2016. Led them to the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup, where they were knocked out by England. They have kicked on, winning promotion from League B to League A in the Nations League and now reaching the Euros. Star player: Emil Forsberg - The forward is part of the exciting RB Leipzig side who are being considered as Bundesliga title challengers in the near future. More renowned for his creativity than his finishing but one of Sweden's dangermen. SWITZERLAND How did they qualify? Winners of Group D Top scorer in qualifying: Cedric Itten (3) Previous best at Euros: Last 16 in 2016 Euro 2016: Last 16, lost 5-4 on penalties to Poland after 1-1 draw FIFA Ranking: 13 Manager: Vladimir Petkovic - Preparing now for his third finals in the job after leading the Swiss in 2016 and 2018. In both, they managed to get out of their group but no further than the last-16, so that will be the target for the campaign next summer. Star player: Granit Xhaka - the Arsenal captain may well be the target of derision at the Emirates Stadium but he remains appreciated by Switzerland. The link man between defence and attack, Xhaka will hopefully find some confidence again before the summer. TURKEY How did they qualify? Runners up in Group H Top scorer in qualifying: Cenk Tosun (5) Previous best at Euros: Semi-finals in 2008, lost 3-2 to Germany Euro 2016: Group stage FIFA Ranking: 32 Manager: Senol Gunes - The man who guided Turkey to a third place finish at the 2002 World Cup returned for a second stint with the national side in February and suceeded in taking them to another finals, two points behind leaders France in Group H despite taking four points off the world champions. Star player: Cenk Tosun - Gunes was Tosun's manager during his time with Besiktas so should know how to get the best out of the striker. The Everton man will play a more significant role in leading Turkey's attack than he does for his club. UKRAINE How did they qualify? Winners of Group B Top scorer in qualifying: Roman Yaremchuk (4) Previous best at Euros: Group stages in 2012 and 2016 Euro 2016: Group stage FIFA Ranking: 22 Manager: Andriy Shevchenko - One of the best known managers at the Finals by virtue of his prolific goalscoring feats for AC Milan and others, Shevchenko has moved into management and been deeply involved with the Ukrainian national side. He was first assistant before becoming manager in 2016, leading them to a comfortable qualification that was sealed with a win over Portugal in October. Star player: Andriy Yarmolenko - The West Ham man has 38 goals for his country and is just 10 behind his manager Shevchenko. All the more incentive to locate a rich vein of scoring form prior to the Euros. Having recovered from a long injury absence, Yarmolenko appears to be getting back to his best. WALES How did they qualify? Runners-up in Group E Top scorer in qualifying: Gareth Bale, Kieffer Moore, Aaron Ramsey (2 each) Previous best at Euros: Semi-finals in 2016, lost 2-0 to Portugal Euro 2016: Semi-finals FIFA Ranking: 24 Manager: Ryan Giggs - the Manchester United legend is making good strides as a manager, as shown by the way Wales kept in contention in qualifying and then dragged themselves over the finish line. Star player: Gareth Bale - No questions here. Bale may be a bit-part player at Real Madrid but he's absolutely crucial for Wales and their hopes of making an impact at the Euros as they did in 2016. What about the other four nations? With 20 nations already through to next summer's finals, it just leaves four to be decided and this will be done through play-off rounds at the end of March. The play-offs for Euro 2020 are linked to performance in the UEFA Nations League last year, meaning some countries knew they had this fall-back before the groups even started. There are four 'Paths' (labelled A-D) with four countries in each. Whoever emerges from each 'Path' will qualify for Euro 2020. PATH A Iceland were the only nation of the 12 highest-ranked Nations League teams not to qualify automatically, so they must now try and make it through the play-offs. They will definitely have a home, one-legged semi-final on March 26 next year, but their opponents will be determined by a draw to be held on November 22. Three of Bulgaria, Israel, Hungary and Romania will be placed into Path A. Iceland will play one of them and two others will contest the other semi-final. The two semi-finals winners will then play one another on March 31 with the winner of that qualifying for Euro 2020. PATH B The draw here has already been decided because all four countries were in League B, the second tier of the Nations League, and subsequently failed to qualify automatically. Bosnia and Herzegovina will host Northern Ireland and Slovakia play the Republic of Ireland in the play-off semi-finals on March 26. That means that Northern Ireland could play the Republic in a winner-takes-all match on March 31. PATH C Scotland are in this one and will have a home draw against the one out of Bulgaria, Israel, Hungary and Romania that isn't placed into Path A by Friday's draw. In the other semi-final, Norway will host Serbia. PATH D This is the minnows' path with Georgia set to play Belarus and North Macedonia going up against Kosovo in the semis.
Hearing that Memphis has suffered ACL rupture... if confirmed, that means he would likely miss Euro 2020. This is heartbreaking