Germany and Holland to meet in Euro 2020 qualifying
DUBLIN: Former champions Germany and Holland will meet each in qualifying for Euro 2020 after being paired together in the draw in Dublin but World Cup semi-finalists England have little to complain about.
The Germans were the most dangerous team outside the first pot of seeds for the competition, relegated due to poor recent results which included losing to the Dutch in the Nations League.
Joachim Loew’s side will also face Northern Ireland, who they met at the Euro 2016 Finals, as well as Estonia and Belarus in Group C.
“The group is typically tough, I’d say. Holland and Germany are the favourites but it should be enough for both (to go through),” said Germany head coach Joachim Loew.
The top two teams in each of the 10 groups will qualify for Euro 2020, which for the first time will be staged in 12 different venues across the continent, including Amsterdam.
And having missed out on both Euro 2016 and this year’s World Cup, Dutch coach Ronald Koeman insisted qualifying rather than scoring another victory over Germany is his priority.
“If you look back how it was one year ago and how the public were with the national team, it is totally different at this stage,” said Koeman, who has led Holland to the final four of the Nations League.
“They have a lot of belief in the team, the team are showing a good development and now the target is to qualify for the tournament. We need to be there.”
The semi-finals and final will be played at Wembley, handing England a major incentive to go on and win the competition, fresh from reaching the last four at this year’s World Cup.
Gareth Southgate’s side will be happy with a draw which places them in Group A along with the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Kosovo.
England are in a section with just five teams rather than six because they have qualified for the Nations League semi-finals, which will be held next June in Portugal.
The draw for the last four will take place today.
World Cup winners France will meet Iceland and Turkey as well as Albania, Moldova and Andorra in Group H. — AFP
THE DRAW
Group A: England, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Kosovo.
Group B: Portugal, Ukraine, Serbia, Lithuania, Luxembourg.
Group C: Holland, Germany, Northern Ireland, Estonia, Belarus.
Group D: Switzerland, Denmark, Ireland, Georgia, Gibraltar.
Group E: Croatia, Wales, Slovakia, Hungary, Azerbaijan.
Group F: Spain, Sweden, Norway, Romania, Faroe Islands, Malta.
Group G: Poland, Austria, Israel, Slovenia, Macedonia, Latvia.
Group H: France, Iceland, Turkey, Albania, Moldova, Andorra.
Group I: Belgium, Russia, Scotland, Cyprus, Kazakhstan, San Marino.
Group J: Italy, Bosnia, Finland, Greece, Armenia, Liechtenstein.