NYON, Switzerland – Two replays from recent World Cup finals were settled on Friday in the draw for the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League.
2010 World Cup champions Spain face the Netherlands, while 2018 world champions France join Croatia in the two-legged quarter-finals to be played in March.
Italy will face Germany and Portugal will play Denmark. The eight teams progressed to the semi-finals by placing first and second in the four elite groups of the Nations League which ended this week.
The games will be played on March 20 and 23, and the winners will advance to the Final Four mini-tournament scheduled for June 4 to 8, which will be hosted by one of the participating teams.
Spain has just won the last Euro Cup and is also the reigning Nations League champion after winning the third edition of the biennial tournament last year.
“It’s a fantastic game,” Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman told The Associated Press. “Both teams like attacking football, and we have a good history.”
“We have a lot of respect for them and they have a lot of respect for Dutch football,” said Koeman, whose goal gave Barcelona their first European Cup trophy in 1992 in a team coached by the football icon. Dutch foot Johan Cruyff.
France and Croatia have the same coach as of 2018. Didier Deschamps and Zlatko Dalić, who are now in their 13th and 8th seasons, respectively, are two of the most experienced coaches in world football.
France won the 2018 World Cup final 4-2 in Moscow and have faced Croatia four times since then in different editions of the Nations League.
“Of course I have a lot of relationship with Zlatko,” said Deschamps, who has won three of his five games against Croatia. “We have often had the opportunity to speak and he is someone I really appreciate. “
Dalić said of Deschamps that he was “happy to see him again. “I have all the respect for France.”
Croatia won 1-0 at the Stade de France in June 2022 with a penalty from Luka Modrić, who still captains the team at 39 years of age.
The quarter-final stage has been added for this edition of the Nations League which means that the four semi-finals will not be available to start the 2026 World Cup qualifiers until September.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann welcomed the more intense schedule in 2025, when the year between major tournaments could be spent entirely playing lower-level opponents in qualifying group for the next tournament.
“I think games like that are so important because the players stay focused,” Nagelsmann told AP of the Nations League format.
“I’m also happy with Italy, it’s one of the best competitors we could have today,” he said. “That is important for us now that we are on the right track, a better track than last year. It’s always important to play against the best teams.”
The draw for the semi-finals in June has already taken place, and Spain or the Netherlands will face the winner of France-Croatia. The winner between Italy and Germany will play Denmark or Portugal.
The Nations League also features promotion and relegation playoffs involving third-placed teams in elite groups, or second and third-placed teams in lower tiers.
The couples who were playing for a place in the elite, also on March 20 and 23: Türkiye vs. Hungary, Ukraine vs. Belgium, Austria vs. Serbia, and Greece against. Scotland.
In the playoffs for second-tier group entry, it was: Kosovo vs. Iceland, Bulgaria vs. Ireland, Armenia vs. Georgia, Slovakia vs. Slovenia.
The qualifying groups for the European World Cup will be drawn by FIFA in Zurich on December 13.
Russia is still excluded for reasons of sporting integrity and security due to the military attack on Ukraine.
2024-11-22 21:50:00
#Spain #face #Netherlands #quarterfinals #League #Nations #France #Croatia
**How has the Nations League format, with its emphasis on competitive matches throughout the year, impacted the development and performance of national teams?**
## The UEFA Nations League: A Showdown of Titans
**Introduction:** Welcome to World Today News. Today, we delve into the thrilling world of international football as we discuss the upcoming UEFA Nations League semi-finals.
Joining us are two esteemed guests:
* **[Guest 1 Name & Credentials – e.g., Former professional footballer and analyst]**
* **[Guest 2 Name & Credentials – e.g., Football journalist and commentator]**
We’ll be exploring the exciting matchups, analyzing the strategies of top national teams, and discussing the significance of this tournament in the global football landscape.
**Section 1: The Semifinal Showdown**
* **Host:** The UEFA Nations League semifinals promise to be thrilling encounters. We have Spain facing the Netherlands and France going against Croatia. What are your initial thoughts on these matchups, and what factors could sway the results in each game? ( dirigida a ambos invitados)
* **Host:** [Guest 1 Name], Spain is the reigning Nations League champion and reigning Euro Cup winner. They seem to be in great form. How do you see them performing against the Dutch team?
* **Host:** [Guest 2 Name], France and Croatia have a recent history, having faced each other in the 2018 World Cup final. How do you think that past encounter might influence their strategy this time around?
**Section 2: Coaching Strategies and Team Dynamics**
* **Host:** The Nations League allows coaches to experiment with different tactics and formations. How do you think the coaches involved will approach these semi-final matches, given the high stakes involved? (dirigida a ambos invitados)
* **Host:** [Guest 1 Name], both Ronald Koeman and Didier Deschamps are experienced coaches with distinct styles. What are their key strengths and how might they impact their teams’ performances?
* **Host:** [Guest 2 Name], Luka Modrić, at 39 years old, still captains Croatia. What does his continued presence bring to the team, both on and off the field?
**Section 3: The Impact of the Nations League**
* **Host:** The Nations League has been a relatively new addition to the international football calendar. What is the significance of this tournament, both for the players and for the development of the sport as a whole? (dirigida a ambos invitados)
* **Host:** [Guest 1 Name], do you think the format of the Nations League, with its quarter-final stage, adds more excitement and intensity to the competition?
* **Host:** [Guest 2 Name], Some argue that the Nations League can negatively impact a team’s preparation for World Cup qualifying. What are your thoughts on this?
**Section 4: Looking Ahead**
* **Host:** Looking beyond the semifinals, what are your predictions for the Nations League Final Four? Who do you think will ultimately lift the trophy? (dirigida a ambos invitados)
**Closing:** Thank you both for sharing your insights and expertise. The UEFA Nations League semi-finals promise to be exhilarating. We wish all the teams the best of luck!
