March 26 – The final Euro 2024 qualification matches are played this evening, as six teams vie for three spots at Europe’s premier competition in Germany this Summer.
Poland will travel to Wales in a last-ditch effort to land a place in the competition.
Wales boss Rob Page insists Wales are “prepared for a tough challenge” as they look to book their place at Euro 2024.
“It’s going to be a tough challenge – don’t get me wrong – but we’re prepared for it,” Page said.
“Welsh football was in a pretty sticky place before Euro 2016,” added Wales captain Ben Davies.
“I remember before that campaign we felt that would be our best opportunity to qualify and I think breaking down that barrier [was important] and showing it is possible that if you put just a run of a couple of games together then qualification is there in your hands.
In the Polish camp, manager Michal Probierz insists that his side have a winning mentality ahead of the Euro qualifier.
“What matters most is promotion. It will be no different in Wales. Finals are not about playing, but about winning.”
The Polish lineup is expected to be relatively unchanged as Probierz prepares for the most significant match in his Poland coaching career to date.
Poland were winless in 2021, despite holding the most in-demand striker in World football, then-Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski. Now at FC Barcelona at the age of 35, the Pole’s output has decreased slightly but he is still capable of making the difference.
Elsewhere, Ukraine will host Iceland at the Tarczyński Arena in Wrocław, Poland. The Ukrainians enter the tie unbeaten in their last four matches, whilst Iceland hold similar form off the back of three straight wins.
Zinchenko’s side left it late in the semi final fixture versus Bosnia and Herzegovina at the weekend, scoring in the 85th and 88th minute via Roman Yeremchuk and Artem Dovbik, the latter of which has been in superb form for Girona in their unforeseen LaLiga title push.
Meanwhile, Iceland cruised to a 4-1 dismantling of Israel in the semis, courtesy of a hattrick from Genoa striker Albert Gudmundsson, but face a stern challenge against Ukraine this evening.
Finally, Georgia will host Greece with all eyes on the last place at this summer’s Euros. Greece qualified for the final in style with a 5-0 thrashing of Kazakhstan, as their impressive run of form continues to grow. The Grecians were able to hold France to a 2-2 draw back in November and have only lost once in their last six games (1-0 to Netherlands October).
In contrast, the Georgians enter the tie in patchy form, summarised by an unconvincing 2-0 victory over Luxembourg in the semi finals. Holding the lion’s share of young talent, the Georgians could rely on some individual brilliance from €80 million-rated Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to book a place in this summer’s spotlight event.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1732295321labto1732295321ofdlr1732295321owedi1732295321sni@g1732295321niwe.1732295321yrrah1732295321