The next official match of any European team will be in Qatar. The 2021-22 Nations League lowered the curtain 54 days after the start of the World Cup in the Middle East with the greats adding doubts. The final four that will be held between June 14 and 18, 2023 already has its four teams: the Netherlands, Italy, Spain -both repeat compared to the last edition- and Croatia will seek a title that Portugal won in Porto in 2019 and in 2021 France in Milan. Next year there will be a new champion in the Netherlands.
The coconuts of the old continent have had a hard time in this League of Nations. Les Bleus, who defended their crown of champions in Qatar and held the title of the tournament, were shipwrecked in their group, falling to Denmark and Croatia. Only the defeats of Austria prevented Mbapp, Griezmann, Benzema, Dembl and company from going down to B.
the english disaster
France has been spared… but not England. The Three Lions have been bottom of their lot after Italy, Hungary -League A revelation that brushed the final four and sent them 0-4 in Wolverhampton- and a Germany that has not shone either. However, the Mannschaft, in full transition with Flick giving flight to his youngsters -Musiala, Schlotterbeck… -, lives better… Not like an England that has gone six games without winning. It is his worst streak since April 1993. Problems for a Southgate questioned by some of his decisions – starting Maguire, substituting Alexander-Arnold … – before traveling to Qatar. Only Kane’s goals are saved.
The Belgium of De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku… the final slipped away again to four in the last corner. In 2019 Switzerland left them without a prize and in 2023 the Netherlands deprived Roberto Martínez’s team of fighting for the title. The Oranje of Van Gaal, Van Dijk, De Jong, Memphis… is regaining its status.
The Portugal of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes… also missed out on the final four after losing to Spain (0-1). Fernando Santos’s men were worth the draw at home on the last day and they hit it. Those of Luis Enrique, runners-up in the previous edition, continue on.
Haaland is still in the b
The places left free in League A by Austria, the Czech Republic, England and Wales will be occupied by Israel, Bosnia, Scotland and a Serbia that won (0-2) Norway, condemning Haaland and Odegaard to the B one Nations more.
The Scottish team will also be the only British team in A after relegation from England and Wales. The Tartan Army has crossed paths with its neighbors in the elevator and has not let them pass. The great downturn of this edition is that of a Sweden that has descended to C. That is where Turkey and Greece have come from. The Nations does not make friends.
