Opponents Italy and the Netherlands? This is what happens at the European Championship
The complicated and mathematically demanding phase of European Championship qualifying is over. 21 out of 24 participants - including the already seeded hosts Germany - have been determined and can plan for the tournament in summer 2024 (June 14 to July 14).
Who will be possible opponents in the preliminary round? Who will national coach Julian Nagelsmann's team face in the knockout matches at the earliest? And how will the qualification process continue after the draw on December 2 in Hamburg? The most important questions:
What are the possible groups for Germany?
European Championship semi-finalists Denmark, the Netherlands and defending champions Italy would probably be the most difficult group for Germany on paper. However, a feasible group with Albania, Slovenia and a weak play-off participant is also conceivable.
Possible opponents from pot 2: Hungary, Turkey, Romania, Denmark, Albania, Austria
Possible opponents from pot 3: Netherlands, Scotland, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic
Possible opponents from pot 4: Italy, Serbia, Switzerland, play-off winner A, play-off winner B, play-off winner C
The three play-off winners are possible rivals for the preliminary round, but remain question marks until March.
Who will the hosts avoid first?
Some of the strongest rivals, as pot 1 with Germany is very well filled. World Cup runners-up France, England, Belgium, Spain and Portugal with superstar Cristiano Ronaldo are also seeded in Pot 1. "The ideal constellation is that we deal with them if we progress," said Nagelsmann. His team can only face the other group leaders from the round of 16 at the earliest.
Who else has a chance of a European Championship ticket?
Twelve nations will be fighting for the three open starting places next spring. There are no more arithmetic games and if-then constellations, only the knockout system. Poland and Robert Lewandowski are probably the most notable contenders. But big outsiders such as Kazakhstan and Luxembourg also have a chance of making their European Championship debut. Israel and Ukraine are also represented in the play-offs.
How will the play-offs work?
Three tournaments will be played, each with four teams, with the winners qualifying for the European Championship. Poland, Wales and Estonia are certain to be represented in Path A, with the fourth team still to be determined by lot. Israel and Bosnia-Herzegovina will definitely play in Path B. Path C is already complete and includes Georgia, Greece, Kazakhstan and Luxembourg.
What will be drawn and when?
There will be a small draw this Thursday in Nyon. A team will be drawn that moves up from Path B to Path A. Finland, Ukraine and Iceland are eligible for this. The other two nations will remain in Path B. In addition, the home team for the three finals will be determined. The final round will then be drawn in Hamburg on December 2 (18:00).
An overview of the European Championship draw pots:
| Pot 1 | Germany A1 seeded | Portugal | France | Spain | Belgium | England |
| Pot 2 | Hungary | Turkey | Romania | Denmark | Albania | Austria |
| Pot 3 | Netherlands | Scotland | Croatia | Slovenia | Slovakia | Czech Republic |
| Pot 4 | Italy | Serbia | Switzerland | Playoff A winners: Poland, Wales, Estonia and one team from Finland, Ukraine and Iceland | Playoff B winners: Israel, Bosnia-Herzegovina and two teams from Finland, Ukraine and Iceland | Playoff C winners: Georgia, Greece, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg |
The matches in the European Championship play-offs
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Path A | Poland | Wales | Finland or Ukraine or Iceland* | Estonia |
| Path B | Israel | Bosnia-Herzegovina | Finland or Ukraine* | Ukraine or Iceland* |
| Path C | Georgia | Greece or | Kazakhstan | Luxembourg |
* after UEFA draw on 23.11. for Path A participants
Mode: Team 1 - Team 4 and Team 2 - Team 3 play in each path. The winners of these semi-finals determine the three European Championship participants in finals in their path. For the final match, the home draw will be made.
After the draw on December 2 in Hamburg, Germany could potentially face the Netherlands in the group stage of the European Championship (EM). Julian Nagelsmann's national team might also encounter Italy in the same group, making it one of the most challenging groups. The DFB (German Football Association) needs to avoid strong opponents from pot 1 in the early stages of the tournament, as they might face them in the round of 16 at the earliest.
Source: www.dpa.com
