EURO 2020 GROUP STAGE QUALIFIERS REVIEW
The 2020 European Championships is fast approaching in June. Unless you’ve been living under a rock in the past few years, you will know this tournament is set to be the most unique in its history, as it will cover 12 cities in 12 countries and VAR will be used for the very first time.
55 countries took part in the qualifying stages in 10 groups. The top two qualify for the tournament next year. 16 teams, based on their performances in the 2018-19 UEFA Nations League, will go into a play off in March which will consist of eight semi final’s and then four finals to determine the last four places for the tournament.
Below is my final group stages review…..
GROUP A – Excellent England, chasing Czech’s
| # | Team | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 37 | 6 | 31 | 21 |
| 2 | Czech Republic | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 15 |
| 3 | Kosovo | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 16 | -3 | 11 |
| 4 | Bulgaria | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 17 | -11 | 6 |
| 5 | Montenegro | 8 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 22 | -19 | 3 |
England stormed their group, scoring the joint second most in the tournament. Kane (12) topped the group and was the tournaments top goal scorer, with Sterling (8) finishing as the groups second top goal scorer. In the end, Czech Republic comfortably finished in second and was the only team to take points off England, beating them 2-1 at home.
Kosovo, who are taking part in qualifying for the very first time, were the real surprise package and even beat Czech Rep at home 2-1. However, the pivotal games were them drawing 1-1 at home to Bulgaria and away at Montenegro, if those games were turned into wins, it would have made it real interesting. They now go into the play offs in March with a SF draw against North Macedonia.
GROUP B – Underrated Ukraine, Paused Portugal
| # | Team | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ukraine | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 4 | 13 | 20 |
| 2 | Portugal | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 22 | 6 | 16 | 17 |
| 3 | Serbia | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 14 |
| 4 | Luxembourg | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 16 | -9 | 4 |
| 5 | Lithuania | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 25 | -20 | 1 |
Ukraine surprisingly topped their group unbeaten, 3 points from the reigning European Champions and were the only team to beat Portugal. They also conceded the joint second least in the tournament and shared their goals around with 8 players scoring in this campaign. Portugal in second, also had 8 players score goals but also had the groups top scoring in Ronaldo (11) who scored the joint second most goals in the tournament.
Serbia just missed out on automatic qualification with the groups pivotal games being a 2-2 home draw with Ukraine and 4-2 home defeat to Portugal. They had the groups second top scorer in Mitrovic (10) who also finished the tournament as the joint third top scorer. They will head into the play offs with a mouth watering but tough SF draw with Norway.
Group C – Gratifying Germany, Nurtured Netherlands
| # | Team | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 30 | 7 | 23 | 21 |
| 2 | Netherlands | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 7 | 17 | 19 |
| 3 | Northern Ireland | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 13 | -4 | 13 |
| 4 | Belarus | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 16 | -12 | 4 |
| 5 | Estonia | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 26 | -24 | 1 |
In a very tough group that was effectively a two horse race, Germany topped it by a mere two points. Their only blip was a 4-2 home defeat to Netherlands. They recorded the joint second biggest victory with a 8-0 win over Estonia. Gnabry (8) was the groups joint top scorer. Netherland was comfortably in second. Their only blips was a 3-2 home defeat to Germany and the pivotal game, a 0-0 away draw in Northern Ireland. Wijnaldum (8) was the groups other joint top scorer.
Northern Ireland battled gallantly but couldn’t contest with the two superpowers. However, will take heart in taking points off Netherlands with their home draw. They will now go into a tough SF play off with Bosnia. If they get through that, they could face Republic of Ireland in the final.
GROUP D – Sweet Switzerland, Dedicated Denmark
| # | Team | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Switzerland | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 6 | 13 | 17 |
| 2 | Denmark | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 23 | 6 | 17 | 16 |
| 3 | Republic of Ireland | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 13 |
| 4 | Georgia | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 11 | -4 | 8 |
| 5 | Gibraltar | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 31 | -28 | 0 |
In a real close group, Switzerland topped it by just one point, although they drew at home and lost away to Denmark. However, they did better than Denmark against the other teams in the group. They shared the goals around with no less then 14 players hitting the net, but only two players scored more then one goal. Denmark qualified in second, although they drew home and away 1-1 with Rep Ireland, the pivotal game was the 0-0 away draw at Georgia. Eriksen (5) top the group in scoring with Gytkjaer (4) in second.
Rep Ireland finished three points behind Denmark, who they drew 1-1 with twice. They also drew 1-1 at home and lost away to Switzerland 2-0. But will be disappointed with their 0-0 away draw in Georgia. However, they have a SF play off with Slovakia, if they get through that, they could play Northern Ireland in the play off final.
Gibraltar were one of only two teams not to win a single point in qualifying. They also conceded the joint second most goals.
GROUP E – Craving Croatia, Worked for Wales
| # | Team | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Croatia | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 17 |
| 2 | Wales | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 14 |
| 3 | Slovakia | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 13 |
| 4 | Hungary | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 11 | -3 | 12 |
| 5 | Azerbaijan | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 18 | -13 | 1 |
In arguably the tightest group in the qualifiers, Croatia won it by three points with their only defeat coming surprisingly, away at Hungary 2-1. They won all their games at home but only won one game away. Petkovic (4) topped the group in scoring. With two of their players Perisic & Vlasic finishing joint second top scorers with 3 goals.
Wales qualified for their second straight European Championships by beating Hungary at home on the final day 2-0. Their 1-1 away draw in Slovakia could also be classed as a pivotal result. Slovakia will be disappointed at missing out on automatic qualification but will have an interesting SF play off with Rep of Ireland. Hamsik & Bozenik were also joint second top scorers in the group with 3 goals.
GROUP F – Spritely Spain, Swindled Sweden
| # | Team | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 5 | 26 | 26 |
| 2 | Sweden | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 23 | 9 | 14 | 21 |
| 3 | Norway | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 17 |
| 4 | Romania | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 15 | 2 | 14 |
| 5 | Faroe Islands | 10 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 30 | -26 | 3 |
| 6 | Malta | 10 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 27 | -24 | 3 |
Spain comfortably topped their group unbeaten with their only dropped points being 1-1 away draws at Sweden & Norway. They recorded the biggest win in the group 7-0 v Malta, which had seven different scorers. Spain shared the goals around with 14 different scorers in qualifying.
Sweden finished comfortably in second with their only defeat coming away in Spain 3-0. They drew 1-1 home and 3-3 away against Norway, the pivotal game in the group was their 2-0 away win in Romania. Quaison (5) finished the group joint second top scorer. Norway finished in third, mainly due to drawing home 2-2 & away 1-1 with Romania. However, They have a very interesting SF play off with Serbia. King (5) finished joint second top scorer in the group. Romania’s Keseru (6) was the groups top scorer with Puscas (5) finishing joint second top scorer.
GROUP G – Pulsating Poland, Automated Austria
| # | Team | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poland | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 5 | 13 | 25 |
| 2 | Austria | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 19 |
| 3 | North Macedonia | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 13 | -1 | 14 |
| 4 | Slovenia | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 14 |
| 5 | Israel | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 16 | 18 | -2 | 11 |
| 6 | Latvia | 10 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 28 | -25 | 3 |
Poland stormed their group via six points and was very comfortable throughout. Their only dropped points was a home draw to Austria and an away defeat to Slovenia. Lewandowski (6) finished as joint second top scorer in the group.
Austria was fairly comfortable in second. Although drawing 0-0 away in Poland, they will be disappointed losing 4-2 in Israel and 1-0 in Latvia. Arnoutovic (6) finished the group joint second top scorer. Despite North Macedonia having a worse goal difference, they finished the group in third place ahead of Slovenia, due to having a better head to head. They beat Slovenia 2-1 at home and drew 1-1 away. They go into the play offs and will have a very interesting SF with Kosovo. Israel’s Zahavi (11) finished as the groups top scorer and joint second top goal scorer in the tournament.
GROUP H – Fascinating France, Trusted Turkey
| # | Team | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | France | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 6 | 19 | 25 |
| 2 | Turkey | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 18 | 3 | 15 | 23 |
| 3 | Iceland | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 11 | 3 | 19 |
| 4 | Albania | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 14 | 2 | 13 |
| 5 | Andorra | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 20 | -17 | 4 |
| 6 | Moldova | 10 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 26 | -22 | 3 |
The reigning world champions topped their group but was made to work every stepped of the way. Their only dropped points came in a 1-1 home draw and a 2-0 away defeat to Turkey. However, they won all their other games. Giroud (6) was the groups top goal scorer. Turkey finished second via two points, although they picked up points home and away against France, they dropped points to Iceland with a 0-0 draw at home and a 2-1 away defeat. However, Turkey were the only team in qualifying not to concede a single goal at home. Tosun (5) finished the group second top goal scorer.
Iceland finished the group in third. Despite taking points home and away off Turkey, they lost home and away to France, but more crucially, they lost away 4-2 to Albania. They will now go into an exciting SF play off with Romania.
GROUP I – Bulldozing Belgium, reeled in Russia
| # | Team | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 3 | 37 | 30 |
| 2 | Russia | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 33 | 8 | 25 | 24 |
| 3 | Scotland | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 19 | -3 | 15 |
| 4 | Cyprus | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 20 | -5 | 10 |
| 5 | Kazakhstan | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 17 | -4 | 10 |
| 6 | San Marino | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 51 | -50 | 0 |
Belgium won their group in convincing fashion. Not only were they one of only two teams to win all their games, they scored the most, conceded the least and had the largest goal difference. They also recorded the joint largest win in qualifying 9-0 v San Marino. Lukaku (7) finished joint second top scorer in the group.
Russia finished the group comfortably in second place. Their only dropped points was a home and away defeat to Belgium. They also recorded the joint largest win in qualifying 9-0 v San Marino and were the third top scorers in qualifying. Dzyuba (9) was the groups to goal scorer. Scotland finished third and despite losing home and away to both Belgium & Russia, they won their other three games at home and beat Cyprus away. They will go into the play offs with a SF against Israel.
San Marino were one of only two teams not to pick up a single point and finished the qualifiers scoring the least, conceding the most, with the worst goal difference.
GROUP J – Irresistible Italy, first timed Finland
| # | Team | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 4 | 33 | 30 |
| 2 | Finland | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 18 |
| 3 | Greece | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 14 | -2 | 14 |
| 4 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 17 | 3 | 13 |
| 5 | Armenia | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 25 | -11 | 10 |
| 6 | Liechtenstein | 10 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 31 | -29 | 2 |
Italy was one of only two teams to win all of their games as they absolutely dominated their group. They finishing with the largest points margin by far. They scored the joint second most and conceded the joint second least. They also recorded the joint second largest win 9-1 v Armenia. Belotti (4) finished the group as joint second top goal scorer.
Finland surprised one and all, as they qualified for a major tournament for the first time in their history. They did it fairly comfortably via 4 points, although they lost home and away to Italy, their pivotal games were home wins over Greece 1-0 & Bosnia 2-0. Pukki (10) finished the group as top scorer and was the joint third top scorer in the tournament. Greece finished third, a point ahead of Bosnia due to beating them 2-1 at home and drawing 2-2 away. Bosnia’s Gojak (4) finished the group joint second top scorer.
