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UEFA Nations League 2018-19


ATLLonghorn

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Anyone excited for this, or even aware it exists? In effort to do away with non-competitive friendlies UEFA is starting a new competition this week and there are some pretty tasty matchups. It's convoluted as fuck to explain, but the simple way to explain it is all 55 UEFA nations are put into four leagues. League A is the top 12 teams split into four groups of three. Each group plays home and away matches with the group winners advancing to the Final Four next summer. There's also Euro 2020 qualifying implications and ways for teams to get promoted and relegated to different leagues. 

There are some intriguing matches this week starting with France vs Germany on Thursday. Italy and Poland is mildly intriguing Friday. England vs Spain on Saturday should be fun and the headliner Sunday is France vs Netherlands. These aren't B teams either. France is basically bringing the World Cup winning squad and everyone else is bringing their A rosters so these games could be really fun. Groups can be found here https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/season=2019/standings/

This event airs mostly on ESPN+ so if you have that you can watch the whole thing and some matches, like France vs Germany Thursday, will be on TV (ESPN2)

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1 hour ago, Firemans4Horn said:

There shouldn’t be any friendlies for at least 6 months following the World Cup. 

I don't mind friendlies, but they should only allowed to pick players who rode the bench and/or missed out on being selected all together.

They should be "Futures Friendlies"... like what the USMNT has been doing since the end of last year.

Also, if someone is retiring and didn't get to play in the World Cup, they should use one of these matches as a send-off for the player to play about 30 to 45 minutes. That's all. In only ONE friendly, not over several until they get a goal/shutout/assist... Just a cup of coffee to say "Thank you!" and allow the fans to applaud them one last time.

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27 minutes ago, Zepol87 said:

Punishment by UEFA for racist shit

Thanks. Just got to my computer and looked it up. Apparently it was the ol' painting swastikas on the pitch routine.

 

0_Stadion-Rujevica-Croatia.jpg

Having edged out their rivals in the semi-finals in Russia, it is a major blow to Croatia to not have home support. It is the first time in 988 senior matches England will play behind closed doors.

It all stems from a UEFA sanction after a swastika was marked on the pitch during a Euro 2016 qualifier at home vs Italy, in Split.

A home game vs Bulgaria was the first of the ban, but there has not been a UEFA-sanctioned home match since.

Croatia condemned the act by labelling it an act of "sabotage and a felony".

Croatia have also been in trouble before with UEFA, with the game in which the swastika was marked on the pitch also behind closed doors. That was due to racist chanting by fans against Norway.

A one-point deduction was also enforced as part of the punishment for the swastika being marked on the pitch.

UEFA Statement

"Uefa can confirm that the Uefa Nations League group stage match between Croatia and England scheduled for 12 October 2018 will be played behind closed doors," said European football's governing body. 

"This relates back to a decision taken by the Uefa control, ethics and disciplinary body on 23 July 2015 which ordered the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) to play its next two home matches in Uefa competition without supporters in the stadium."

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/croatia-england-empty-stadium-reason-13400904

 

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