Sterling sanction casts shadow as England aims to secure place against Montenegro
Paris, France - A thrilling crop of young players has Euro 2020 in its sights as the Netherlands prepares for a return to the big stage, while Teemu Pukki's Finland is on the brink of its first-ever major tournament.
Ronald Koeman's side need just a draw at Northern Ireland on Saturday to guarantee a spot at its first international tournament since coming third at the 2014 World Cup.
The Dutch had been in the doldrums since then until the arrival early in 2018 of Koeman, with the once mighty Oranje missing out on the previous European Championship and last year's World Cup in Russia.
The 56 year old has revitalised his country's dormant national team with the help of a crop of young players who are putting a famous footballing nation back on the map.
Rising stars including Frenkie de Jong, Donny van de Beek and Matthijs de Ligt have joined more experienced campaigners Virgil van Dijk, Georginio Wijnaldum, Daley Blind and Ryan Babel to go top of Group C ahead of the final two rounds of qualifiers.
Netherlands is level on 15 points with fierce rival Germany but above it on head-to-head record and three ahead of Northern Ireland, who realistically need a win to carry on its battle for a spot in the Euros.
A late double from 25 year old Memphis Depay, a revelation in qualifying with six goals in five appearances, in Rotterdam last month helped sink the brave Northern Irish and means the Dutch just have to avoid defeat at Windsor Park to join the likes of Italy and Spain.
Germany, meanwhile, just need to better Northern Ireland's result to make sure of its place. The Finns are also on the verge of making history, with a win over lowly Liechtenstein in Helsinki on Friday enough to see them qualify for their first ever European Championship.
The Finns lie second in Group J behind already-qualified Italy, thanks to a magical run inspired by the incredible form of star man Pukki. The Norwich City striker has scored seven of his side's 12 goals in eight games, with his brace in a 3-0 win over Armenia last time out opening a five-point gap between it and its third-placed opposition.
That win all-but guaranteed it a spot in tournament.
France is among several big hitters also a hair's breadth away from the main tournament. It might qualify before it even takes the field against Moldova at the Stade de France on Thursday. Didier Deschamps' world champion will take its place at the finals should third-placed Iceland not beat Group H leader Turkey, although a win for France over bottom side Moldova would be enough regardless of what happens in Istanbul.
Reigning European champion Portugal meanwhile will have the chance to defend its title with a win over Lithuania, which has collected just a point from seven Group B games, if Serbia fails to beat Luxembourg.
The Portuguese are a point ahead of the Serbs as coach Fernando Santos recalls Lokomotiv Moscow forward Eder, whose goal won Euro 2016, with teenage star Joao Felix sidelined. Portugal is also without Everton midfielder Andre Gomes after he suffered a horrific leg injury against Tottenham earlier in the month. its first major
London, UK - England's plan to celebrate its 1,000th international by qualifying for Euro 2020 in serene style against Montenegro at Wembley on Thursday has been ripped up by Gareth Southgate's decision to drop Raheem Sterling.
The Manchester City winger was involved in a physical confrontation with Liverpool defender Joe Gomez at England's training base on Monday as emotions spilled over from the highly-anticipated English Premier League clash between the two clubs on Sunday.
Bar a shock defeat to the Czech Republic last month, the World Cup semifinalists have shown why they will be among the favourites to win a first major tournament in 54 years next summer.
Sterling has scored eight of his side's 26 goals in six games as he has blossomed into one of the world's best players for club and country since failing to find his best form at the World
Cup 18 months ago. One of Southgate's strengths since taking charge three years ago has been to foster a unity in the camp, far removed from the club-aligned cliques that hampered the chances of talented England sides of the past.
That now faces its biggest test as the bubbling rivalry between Liverpool and City threatens to spill over.
Southgate's first instinct was reportedly to send Sterling home, but the intervention of senior players, principally Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, helped ease the feud and the 24 year old has remained with the squad to train.
"I always have to find the right solution for the group and that's a very difficult line," said Southgate on Tuesday. "We have a very good understanding of the way that we have worked over the last couple of years, which has brought us a lot of togetherness that is still there. "We are a united group. Now we have to turn our focus onto the football. We have a hugely important qualifier to reach a European Championship."
Sterling has since apologised to Gomez and the rest of the squad. "I am man enough to admit when emotions got the better of me," he said in an Instagram post.
"Me and Joe Gomez are good, we both understand it was a five to ten-second thing... it's done, we move forward and not make this bigger than it is."
Sterling could even return to action as soon as Sunday when Southgate's men travel to Kosovo.
England will hope there is nothing riding on that match for it as a point against the side ranked 61st in the world on Thursday will be enough to guarantee qualification.