As UEFA’s newest international competition reaches the knock-out stages, we take a look at the tournament’s structure…
Football fans were expecting a slow weekend due to the international break, but the UEFA Nations League proved to be a game-changer as it delivered beyond expectations. We witnessed some absolute thrillers as the group stage came to an end. Netherlands humiliated World Cup winners France in a 2-0 win, and Spain were beaten by Croatia in a five-goal nail-biter. However, even halfway through the league, many are struggling to understand the competition’s format.
The UEFA Nations League was introduced to replace drab friendlies with more competitive international matches. To ensure this, teams are placed in groups according to their FIFA World Rankings. The highest ranked teams are subsequently placed in the same group. Given that it’s a UEFA-organised tournament, the participants include 55 European countries.
🇳🇱 Man of the match? 💪#NationsLeague #NEDFRA pic.twitter.com/pEiGJSZI6x
— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2020) November 16, 2018
These nations are divided into four different divisions called leagues. League A and B have 12 teams each, while League C and D have 15 and 16 teams respectively. Each group consists of three or four teams playing four or six matches based on group size – utilising the two-legged home and away format.
One of the most interesting elements of this format is the relegation and promotion of teams. The nations that finish last in League A will be demoted to League B. Similarly, the teams at the top of League B will be promoted to League A. These rules will be followed all the way through League D. After the group stages, there will be four teams left to fight for the trophy. The group winners from League A will play for the first ever UEFA Nations League trophy, with a draw for the semi-finals due to be held on December 3rd.
🏴🇵🇹🇨🇭🇳🇱
🍿 The Nations League semi-finals 🍿 pic.twitter.com/Fkc6x4EsbP
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 19, 2018
World Champions stumble
The 2014 World Cup winners Germany ended up with Netherlands and France in Group A1. It was dubbed the ‘Group of Death’ along with Group A4, which included Spain, England and Croatia. Germany were unable to win a single match and have been relegated to League B as a result. On the other hand, Group A4 went all the way down to the wire as all three teams had a chance to progress in the last game.
Spain sat top of the group going into the final round, but the match between England and Croatia ultimately decided the fate of the group. A draw between the two sides would’ve allowed Spain to qualify for the play-offs. However, England’s narrow victory over Croatia allowed them to finish as group leaders and confirmed Croatia’s relegation to League B.