UEFA Nations League

Mr.Nice Guy

Teams for the biggest game tonight:

Germany XI: Neuer; Sule, Hummels, Rudiger; Kehrer, Kimmich, Kroos, Schulz; Gnabry, Werner, Sane.

Netherlands XI: Cillessen: Tete, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Blind; De Roon, De Jong, Wijnaldum; Promes, Depay, Babel.

A point is enough for the Dutch to win the group and reach the final four. The Germans are already relegated but could spoil things for their rivals.

Should be a good game. I'm going to record it since I'll be punishing myself by watching Denmark/Ireland. Looking forward to how De Ligt, De Jong and Depay do in particular.

As good as the Dutch have been, I wouldn't write Germany off. I think they have enough quality there to get the win and they need to end their year on a positive note. I'll go for a 1-0 home win. Game is on Sky Sports Football and VM Sport.

ArmaniJeanss

Germans 2-0 up approaching half time.
Would be a good all round result for everyone except Netherlands - good for the competition as WC winners France being in the finals would give it a certain cred which is useful in the first renewal.
And good for everyone else as it would be enough to put Germany in Pot1 for the Euro2020 draw, rather than being a potential nightmare Pot 2 draw.

ArmaniJeanss

FT 2-2 I jinxed that didn't I?

Dutch into the finals instead of France.

If Poland avoid defeat away to Portugal tomorrow then they'll be in Pot1 for the Euros with Germany in Pot2.

Collie D

Final night of this and few groups in the balance.

League A

Portugal v Poland. Portugal already in to semis and Poland relegated. Draw will be enough for them to be top seeds in qualifying at Germany's expense.

League B

Sweden v Russia. Sweden need the win to displace Russia and win the group.

League C Group 1

Scotland v Israel. Scotland need to win to top the group. Any other result and Israel will keep top spot.

League C Group 4

Montenegro v Romania & Serbia v Lithuania. A win for Serbia against already relegated Lithuania guarantees top spot. A draw or a loss will be enough if Romania don't win. Romania need to win and will take top spot if Serbia don't take three points.

League D

Kosovo v Azerbaijan & Malta v Faroe Islands. Azerbaijan need to win to top the group. Home win or draw and it's Kosovo who are promoted. The other game is for seedings. A draw or win for Faroes will move them from sixth seeds to fifth and Malta need to win for the same thing.

Mr.Nice Guy

Watched a replay of Germany vs Netherlands and was impressed with the Dutch fightback. Thought Germany's Nico Schulz was the standout player, though Sane was also very good. Was a bit disappointed with De Ligt and De Jong who made a few mistakes. Thought Depay was alright, forcing a good save from Neuer in the second half.

I'll be surprised if Lowe is still in his post heading into next year after an historically bad World Cup, followed by relegation from their group in the Nations League. I know he brought them a World Cup but surely a change would do some good for all concerned.

I've enjoyed the Nations League but the final set of games tonight look a bit of an anti-climax.

Mr.Nice Guy

Scotland vs Israel teams:

Scotland XI: McGregor; Paterson, Bates, McKenna, Robertson; McGregor; Forrest, Armstrong, Christie, Fraser; Fletcher.

Israel XI: Harush; Yeini, Taha, Ben Harush; Dasa, Natcho, Peretz, Kayal, Twatha; Zahavi, Dabbur.

Scotland have had a tough couple of years so I hope they can get the win and promotion. I fancy Dabbur to cause problems for Israel. I've watched him play with Salzburg in the Europa League a few times and he's always impressed me. Reckon he'll be in a top 5 league in the near future. Aside from him and Brighton's Kayal, don't know about the rest of the Israeli side.

I'll say 2-1 Scotland.

Mr.Nice Guy

WHAT A GOAL!

Kayal makes it 1-0 Israel.

https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1064971235451432964

Mr.Nice Guy

1-1. Deserved equaliser scored by Forrest.

Mr.Nice Guy

2-1 Scotland! Nice break finished off by Forrest again.

Mr.Nice Guy

Not a Nations League game but Wales have been beaten 1-0 by Albania, who Scotland beat 4-0 a few days ago. They started a fairly weakened team but Bale and Ramsey were brought on at the hour mark. Some worrying results for Giggs of late.

Mr.Nice Guy

Forrest hat-trick! 3-1 to Scotland.

Mr.Nice Guy

3-2 now. Zahavi makes things a bit nervy for Scotland.

Mr.Nice Guy

Full-Time. Scotland win 3-2 and are promoted. It was an anxious ending and McGregor had to make a good stop in the closing minutes but they just about deserved it.

AGC

Few games I’ve seen over the last few days have shown this competition is worthwhile. So much better than meaningless friendly games.

noodler

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Full-Time. Scotland win 3-2 and are promoted. It was an anxious ending and McGregor had to make a good stop in the closing minutes but they just about deserved it.

Fair play to them.

Not the toughest group but three good wins out of four.

citytillidie

Match Day 6
Switzerland 5 V 2 Belgium
England 2 V 1 Croatia
Northern Ireland 1 V 2 Austria
Hungary 2 V 0 Finland
Greece 1 V 0 Estonia
San Marino 0 V 2 Belarus
Moldova 1 V 1 Luxembourg
Germany 2 V 2 Netherlands
Czech Republic 1 V 0 Slovakia
Denmark 0 V 0 Ireland
Cyprus 0 V 2 Norway
Bulgaria 1 V 1 Slovenia
Andorra 0 V 0 Latvia
Georgia 2 V 1 Kazakhstan
Liechtenstein 2 V 2 Armenia
FYR Macedonia 4 V 0 Gibraltar
Portugal 1 V 1 Poland
Sweden 2 V 0 Russia
Scotland 3 V 2 Israel
Serbia 4 V 1 Lithuania
Montenegro 0 V 1 Romania
Kosovo 4 V 0 Azerbijan
Malta 1 V 1 Faroe Islands


League A
Into the Finals
Portugal
England
Switzerland
Netherlands

Relegated
Germany
Iceland
Poland
Croaita

League B
Promoted
Ukraine
Sweden
Bosina and Herzegovina
Denmark

Relegated
Turkey
Northern Ireland
Ireland
Slovakia

League C
Promoted
Finland
Norway
Scotland
Serbia

Relegated
Estonia
Lithuania
Slovenia
Cyprus

League D
Promoted
Georgia
Belarus
FYR Macedonia
Kosovo

Playoffs as they stand
League A
Netherlands
Switzerland
Portugal
England

League B
Ukraine
Bosina and Herzegovina
Denmak
Sweden

League C
Finland
Norway
Scotland
Serbia

League D
Georgia
Belarus
FYR Macedonia
Kosovo

siblers

I could be wrong here but don't Scotland have a play-off for the Euro 2020 finals in March via them winning their Nations League group? If they win that, what will be the point of them having been drawn for the Euro 2020 qualifiers if they already through? Or am I missing something

Collie D

siblers wrote: »

I could be wrong here but don't Scotland have a play-off for the Euro 2020 finals in March via them winning their Nations League group? If they win that, what will be the point of them having been drawn for the Euro 2020 qualifiers if they already through? Or am I missing something

Playoffs aren't until March 2020 after "normal" qualifying has ended.

loyatemu

I had assumed our being relegated meant we wouldn't be involved in the playoffs, but looking at the format again, we're actually quite likely to be in the playoffs. I love this competition :pac:

citytillidie

siblers wrote: »

I could be wrong here but don't Scotland have a play-off for the Euro 2020 finals in March via them winning their Nations League group? If they win that, what will be the point of them having been drawn for the Euro 2020 qualifiers if they already through? Or am I missing something

As it stands Scotland are in the play-offs, if they finish in the top 2 in their qualifying group for 2020 then they will not be in the play-offs and the next best ranked league C team will take their spot.

However if they fail in finishing in the top 2 in their qualifying group then they have a 2nd chance at qualifying via the play-offs

citytillidie

Semi Final Draw
Portugal V Switzerland
Netherlands V England

citytillidie

Semi-Finals
Wednesday 5th June
Portugal V Switzerland - 7:45PM - Sky Sports Football / Main Event / Virgin Media Sport

Thursday 6th June
Netherlands V England - 7:45PM - Sky Sports Football / Main Event / Virgin Media One

dundalkfc10

Hearing they have slashed tickets for Portugal game by 50% as nobody is interested

Berserker

Virin are showing the England game. Really good test for us. Was mightily impressed by the Netherlands against Germany.

spurshero

Do the winners of the nations league get entry into the euro s next year and if so what’s the point of the rest of there group game s

citytillidie

spurshero wrote: »

Do the winners of the nations league get entry into the euro s next year and if so what’s the point of the rest of there group game s

Nope they are just named winners of the Nations League

Agent Coulson

spurshero wrote: »

Do the winners of the nations league get entry into the euro s next year and if so what’s the point of the rest of there group game s

€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ £££££££££££££££ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Whichever currency you prefer that's the point.

Berserker

spurshero wrote: »

Do the winners of the nations league get entry into the euro s next year and if so what’s the point of the rest of there group game s

You get a trophy and lots of cash.

loyatemu

spurshero wrote: »

Do the winners of the nations league get entry into the euro s next year and if so what’s the point of the rest of there group game s

No they don't. They're in the playoffs if they don't get through the regular qualifying (same as every other other NL group winner).

Mr.Nice Guy

Teams for Portugal vs Switzerland.

Portugal XI: Rui Patricio; Semedo, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Guerreiro; William Carvalho, Bruno Fernandes, Neves, Bernardo Silva; Joao Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Switzerland XI: Sommer; Mbabu, Akanji, Schar, Ricardo Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka, Zakaria, Zuber; Shaqiri, Seferovic.

Game is live on Sky Sports Football and VM Sport from 7:45pm.

Not detecting a lot of interest in this but those sides look great. Portugal line-up looks particularly impressive. Keen to see how Felix gets on alongside Ronaldo. Bruno Fernandes attracting a lot of interest right now as well.

Like Mbabu and Akanji so pleased to see them getting a start. Sommer was one of the Bundesliga's best keepers and should be tested tonight. Zakaria had a good season with Gladbach and the midfield battle should be fun.

I'll go Portugal to edge it.

Mushy

Surprised no card given there, bit ridiculous

Mr.Nice Guy

Think that should have been red.

Swiss have started well.

Mushy

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Think that should have been red.

Swiss have started well.

The Swiss tackle one? My comment was for the Portugese tackle, but Swiss lad after was very lucky

Mr.Nice Guy

Mushy wrote: »

The Swiss tackle one? My comment was for the Portugese tackle, but Swiss lad after was very lucky

Yeah the Swiss one. Didn't think there was contact at first but replay showed there was. Thought it would be red.

RONALDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Great free-kick. 1-0 Portugal.

Loafing Oaf

If Schar could turn back time he wouldn't make that tackle:P

Mushy

My eyes deceive me...Ronaldo scores a free

Mushy

My eyes deceive me...Ronaldo scores a free

~Rebel~

sugarman wrote: »

I actually can't remember the last time a Ronaldo free didn't hit the wall

World Cup group stage against Spain? Has he scored any frees for Juve this season?

Mushy

My eyes deceive me...Ronaldo scores a free

Mushy

My eyes deceive me...Ronaldo scores a free

~Rebel~

Mushy wrote: »

My eyes deceive me...Ronaldo scores a free

Mushy wrote: »

My eyes deceive me...Ronaldo scores a free

Mushy wrote: »

My eyes deceive me...Ronaldo scores a free

Mushy wrote: »

My eyes deceive me...Ronaldo scores a free

After four times you should probably start believing them!

Mr.Nice Guy

Would like to see Anthony Lopes playing ahead of Rui Patricio who doesn't inspire much confidence.

Mushy

~Rebel~ wrote: »

After four times you should probably start believing them!

Yikes! The rain has messed up the internet I'd say

Mr.Nice Guy

Half-Time and Portugal lead by a goal but they're fortunate to be ahead. Seferovic with a nice effort that hit the crossbar.

Mr.Nice Guy

Schar concedes pen.

Wow, he's changed his mind and given the pen to Switzerland for an earlier foul!

And Rodriguez makes it 1-1. Patricio got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out.

ERG89

What a swerve by the ref after some downright awful Swiss defending.

omega man

Never a pen

yozico

Shocking decision

Mr.Nice Guy

sugarman wrote: »

This goes straight to penos if it stays the same, doesnt it?

I think there's Extra-Time.

Mr.Nice Guy

RONALDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Beautiful ball from Neves in the build-up.