North Macedonia
But national team coach Igor Angelovski remains under fire despite historic success
The new format of UEFA qualifiers was key in helping North Macedonia reach their first-ever major tournament. After winning Group D4 of the 2018-19 Nations League with five wins and one defeat they were assured of a Euro 2020 qualifying play-off place.
Injuries and a coronavirus outbreak meant that their semi-final draw with Kosovo, followed by a trip to Georgia, were far from easy obstacles. Yet captain Goran Pandev netted his 36th goal on his 114th appearance in Tbilisi, securing an historic win and the joy of the entire nation. Prime minister Zoran Zaev even rewarded every player with an extra bonus for their efforts.
The good spirits, however, did not last. Captain Pandev led protests against the FA when president Muamed Sejdini failed to back coach Angelovski, in spite of the good results. “I am under the impression that the president and his people are not happy because we qualified to the Euros,” Pandev stated in an interview with television channel 24
Sejdini himself cuts a controversial figure, yet retained his presidency in March thanks to support from FIFA and UEFA. The atmosphere, however, is still delicate, and fans are hoping this won’t affect the action on the pitch
The team itself is undoubtedly one of the competition’s biggest underdogs. Of their three group stage opponents, their only reasonable record is against
It is still hard to believe that miracles such as the success in Germany can be repeated at this summer’s event
Ukraine – with one win, one draw and two defeats – but they were beaten 4-1 by Austria in Skopje two years ago and 2-1 that same year. Two draws with the Netherlands in the mid-2000s provide fond memories, but will offer little hope in their final group stage clash. Still, they will take great confidence from March’s stunning 2-1 2022 World Cup qualifying victory over Germany in March, which proved that North Macedonia are not to be underestimated.
That win ended Joachim Low’s side’s 35-game unbeaten run in World Cup qualifying, and proved that, even with just 30 per cent possession of the ball,
North Macedonia can hold their own against the very best.
It is still hard to believe that miracles such as the success in Germany can be repeated at this summer’s event. Qualification for Euro 2020 is a great success in itself, so there is nothing to lose for the players who are mostly out of the Champions League scene.
Angelovski believes his team can spring a surprise. As for the supporters, their great hope is that they will be allowed to attend at least one of their fixtures in Bucharest, with the Romanian capital the most accessible of all the host cities. If there are no restrictions, thousands of fans – known as the Falanga, in honour of Alexander the Great’s Phalanx – will make the trip to support their national team. And they will be daring to dream.