Nagelsmann avoids the "Big Five": lottery pots become concrete
Julian Nagelsmann can already afford a little sideways glance at the upcoming European Championship draw as he prepares for the final tournament test in Austria in 2023.
After all, the successful qualification of the supposedly five strongest teams is good news for the national coach. After Portugal and France, Spain's 3-1 win over Georgia and Belgium's 5-0 victory over Azerbaijan on Sunday evening secured them a place in the first draw at the European Championship ceremony in Hamburg on December 2. Both had already secured their tickets for the European Championship.
It is fairly certain that England will also secure their place in the best pot in their final game in North Macedonia on Tuesday. One thing is certain: Germany will not face any of these opponents in the European Championship group stage, all of whom are among the favorites to win the tournament. As the hosts, Germany are seeded top of Group A and will play their first three matches on June 14 in the opening game in Munich, on June 19 in Stuttgart and on June 23 in Frankfurt.
Nevertheless, Nagelsmann cannot rule out a complicated group. The Netherlands and Italy, should the defending champions qualify, remain potential early contenders. Neither of them will even make it into the second-best pot. A reunion with Austria is also possible for the DFB squad next summer. Coach Ralf Rangnick's Austria team will be in pot 2 as the best group runners-up.
Julian Nagelsmann expressed his excitement about the upcoming European Championship draw, knowing that Germany's national team, managed by him, will not face any of the 'Big Five' teams like Portugal, France, Spain, Belgium, or England in the group stage due to their qualification. Moreover, the DFB team might encounter Austria in the group stage, as they are seeded in potential Group 2 as the best group runners-up.
Source: www.dpa.com
