UEFA Nations League - 20/21

[charger29]

Back soon for the 20/21 edition. Presumably there will be a few fixtures at neutral venues.

R.Ireland will find out soon what's happening with the game in Bulgaria. Ireland are pretty strict on everyone quarantining for 14 days and their list of exempt countries isn't exactly long either. Don't even know if they could play their home games in Ireland given most of their players play in England. Potential problems for their Euro playoff too. Fwiw, they didn't give the Irish cricket team an exemption when they played in England a few weeks ago (insert cricket joke here).

Could they play every game at a neutral venue in Greece/Hungary?

A bit shit for Bulgaria if they're forced to play their home game in a different country but I guess we should get used to it.

[charger29]

First games tonight. Germany vs Spain is the biggest one.

Both teams seem to have youthful looking squads. Whether that's to give some players a rest or not I don't know.

Still no Muller in the squad. Löw looking really silly for not bringing him back in after the season he's had at Bayern.

Ukraine vs Switzerland seems like a decent game too.

 

Looking at the rest of the NL, League C looks poor quality after all the shuffling about. You could argue the three best teams are in the same division (Greece, Slovenia and Kosovo).

 

 

[G51]

Wales and ROI playing tonight.

Wales away to Finland, Irish away to Bulgaria.

Wales game isn't that interesting save for those of us who enjoy Glen Kamara. 

The Irish have just appointed a new manager in Stephen Kenny, who is promising to move away from a "British" style of football towards a more "continental" one, so will be interesting to see what that looks like. Former manager of Dundalk. He was technically given the job a few years back, he moved to the Irish U21's while McCarthy took over the senior team to allow Kenny to grow and develop, with the understanding McCarthy would resign after 2020. The latest in a series of weird things in the FAI's recent history.

[Guest DAVIDB69]

Wales and ROI playing tonight.
Wales away to Finland, Irish away to Bulgaria.
Wales game isn't that interesting save for those of us who enjoy Glen Kamara. 
The Irish have just appointed a new manager in Stephen Kenny, who is promising to move away from a "British" style of football towards a more "continental" one, so will be interesting to see what that looks like. Former manager of Dundalk. He was technically given the job a few years back, he moved to the Irish U21's while McCarthy took over the senior team to allow Kenny to grow and develop, with the understanding McCarthy would resign after 2020. The latest in a series of weird things in the FAI's recent history.

Cheers was wondering how on Earth Stephen Kenny got the gig as he was seen as a bit of a joke figure over here

[G51]

8 minutes ago, DAVIDB69 said:

 

Cheers was wondering how on Earth Stephen Kenny got the gig as he was seen as a bit of a joke figure over here

 

He did a great job with Dundalk to be fair to him. Dominated domestically and did well in Europe.

Some real bold calls in his selection tonight too. Interested to see what it looks like 

[naegoodinthedark]

That Finland strip is an absolute joy.

[G51]

Bit of an odd choice from Mick McCarthy to agree to be the co-commentator for your successors first game.

[G51]

Connolly just missed an absolute sitter for Ireland.

Started okay, clear tactic to push Doherty and build play down the right.

[Guest DAVIDB69]

Get the feeling this might be a goal light type night although it’s 10-11 months since any international football which might be a factor

[Guest DAVIDB69]

That Finland strip is an absolute joy.

It’s a great looking kit

[G51]

0-0 HT. Ireland had the better of the chances and have stopped Bulgaria outside of a few counter attacks.

 

[DrewDon]

The first half of Finland v Wales could be an effective cure for insomnia. 

[G51]

1-0 Bulgaria, against the run of play. Awful goal for Ireland to lose. Complete breakdown between Duffy and Egan

[Guest DAVIDB69]

If a big name finishes bottom in a will they just alter the format again

 

[G51]

Shane Long on.

Going to the back up plan so.

[G51]

1-1, Duffy with a header from a corner.

Ireland deserve the draw. They were shite for most of the second half but deserved at least a point overall.

[Robin.Hood]

Belter of a winning goal 

[Szamo's_Ammo]

Eh dinnae understand this League o Nations stuff, ken.

Is that Wales going to the World Cup now?

[GordonS]

Faroes come back from 2-1 down against Malta with 3 minutes to go to win 3-2.

One of the best things about the Nations League is giving the minnows the chance to win games that matter. I still think they should have gone with one group of seven for League D (and that they should have binned the whole thing this time because of coronavirus), but I'm really liking the format.

[Robin.Hood]

47 minutes ago, GordonS said:

Faroes come back from 2-1 down against Malta with 3 minutes to go to win 3-2.

One of the best things about the Nations League is giving the minnows the chance to win games that matter. I still think they should have gone with one group of seven for League D (and that they should have binned the whole thing this time because of coronavirus), but I'm really liking the format.

The winning goal was special