ROAD TO THE FINALS OFFICIAL MAGAZINE - Bitly
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
ROAD TO
THE FINALS
OFFICIAL MAGAZINE
INCLUDES TOURNAMENT
MATCH SCHEDULE
5
The all-electric Contents
ID.3 5
UEFA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Aleksander Čeferin
34
ON TOP OF THE ACTION
Host broadcasting
Discover it now
at volkswagen.com/ID3
#NowYouCan TEAM GUIDES
23 Austria
24 Belgium
25 Croatia 36
6 26 Czech Republic
27 Denmark
UEFA EURO 2020 DRAW
The full results from Bucharest
ROAD TO THE FINALS 28 England
Qualifying highlights 29 Finland
30 France 39
15 31 Germany
32 Italy
MATCH SCHEDULE
Times and venues
THE SOUND OF SUMMER
Official tournament song
52
16 EURO 2020 NEWS
Mascot, ticketing, ball
FOR THE FANS
EURO supporter initiatives and volunteers
56
MEET THE AMBASSADORS
41 Netherlands EURO highlights
42 Poland
43 Portugal
44 Russia 64
45 Spain SUSTAINABILITY
46 Sweden Environmentally conscious EURO
47 Switzerland
18 48 Turkey
INTERVIEW: ÉDER 49 Ukraine
50 Wales
66
Portugal’s EURO match winner EURO COUNTDOWN
Key dates and events
EDITOR David Farrelly
UEFA PUBLICATIONS MANAGER Emmanuel Deconche
ASSISTANT EDITOR Sam Adams
MANAGING EDITOR Michael Harrold
DESIGN Darlene Cossentino, Fernando Pires
CONTRIBUTORS Gonzalo Aguado, Peter Birrer, Bohdan Buga, Igor Borunov, Chris Burke, Christian Châtelet,
Francesco Corda, Carrie Dunn, Sujay Dutt, Mikael Eravuori, Andrew Haslam, Elvir Islamović, Markus Juchem,
Piotr Koźmiński, Anthony Naughton, Luís Piedade, Mark Pitman, Sture Sandø, David Steegen,
Johannes Sturm, Türker Tozar, Bram van Beek, Ondřej Zlámal
PHOTOGRAPHY Getty Images, South Pole, UEFA
Designed and produced by TwelfthMan on behalf of UEFA. twelfthman.co
©UEFA 2019. All rights reserved. The UEFA word, the UEFA logo and all marks related
to UEFA and competitions, are protected by trade marks and/or copyright of UEFA.
Near-Production Prototype No use for commercial purposes may be made of such trade marks.
7
Excitement
is rising
With 20 teams having now qualified for of whom have embraced the concept of
UEFA EURO 2020, the composition of bringing the tournament closer to the fans
the final tournament is beginning to take than ever before. To everyone involved in
shape. Congratulations to those who preparing this particular EURO, I express
have advanced to this stage of the my appreciation.
competition and to the finals draw
During the finals next summer, everyone
in Bucharest, and best wishes to the
attending or enjoying EURO will witness an
remaining 16 teams who will contest the
altogether different approach to creating
play-offs in March 2020 to determine
a festival atmosphere not only at the
the final four slots.
stadium, but in the heart of each city. This
As a competition, the UEFA European EURO, featuring eight capital cities, will
Football Championship has constantly touch more people than ever before, and
evolved, and the most recent expansion to our objective is to ensure that they feel
24 teams in France in 2016 demonstrated engaged and enthused by the event both
ALEKSANDER ČEFERIN the strength in depth of national team on and off the field.
UEFA PRESIDENT football on this continent. For UEFA EURO
www.uefafoundation.org
We expect that the biggest EURO ever will
2020, the innovation continues, not only
also be the best EURO ever. In the last six
in the unique hosting structure of the
months, we have witnessed unprecedented
event, but in how UEFA is approaching the
demand from the general public across
tournament as an overall spectacle.
the world. Such interest has not been
As European football’s governing body, we restricted to ticket sales, but to other
know that we cannot stage a tournament projects such as volunteering, for which
of this scale alone. We count on many UEFA will have the largest recruitment
stakeholders. Together with the host ever for a single tournament.
national associations and stadium owners,
On the eve of UEFA EURO 2020,
our tournament will be the biggest ever
excitement is rising for this unique event,
– with 11 of the 12 venues boasting a
and I look forward to welcoming you to a
seating capacity in excess of 50,000.
truly great footballing spectacle kicking off
Equally crucial to our success is the active in Rome on 12 June and concluding one
uefafoundation.org
involvement of the 12 host cities, each month later with the final in London.
8 9
Road to
the finals
The 250 matches
in the European
Qualifiers produced
plenty of goals, thrills
and headlines as the
continent’s national
teams competed for
the first 20 spots at
UEFA EURO 2020
Aaron Ramsey
celebrates scoring
Wales’s second goal
at home to Hungary
10 11
DRAMA TO THE END Denmark had to wait
until their last game
While some countries eased through to seal a finals place
qualifying, others had to endure the twists
and turns of a tumultuous campaign.
Holders Portugal picked up only two points
from their first two fixtures and had to
wait until their last game to book their
place, while Denmark needed a final-day
draw away to the Republic of Ireland to
join Switzerland – who also qualified in
the last round of matches – in progressing
from Group D. “It means the world,”
Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel ‘I LOVE SCORING’
said. “We are a small nation and the
Belgium took the honours as Europe’s most
chance of playing home games in a major
prolific team during qualifying, but it was
tournament is so small. To give our fans
England’s Harry Kane who topped the individual
that is amazing and unique.” Wales were
scoring charts. The Three Lions captain struck
the last team to secure an automatic
12 times in eight games, a tally bolstered by
berth, their 2-0 home win against Hungary
hat-tricks against Bulgaria and Montenegro, to
on the final night of the group stage
become the first Englishman to win the race since
taking them through ahead of both their
Kevin Keegan ahead of the 1980 finals. “I love
opponents and Slovakia.
scoring, any striker does, so hopefully I can keep
that going into next summer,” said the Tottenham
“
forward, Golden Boot winner at the 2018 FIFA
The chance of playing World Cup. Kane finished one clear of Israel’s
Eran Zahavi and Cristiano Ronaldo, whose last
home games in a effort in qualifying took him to 99 for Portugal.
major tournament is
so small. To give our
fans that is amazing
and unique”
Hungary fans will be
hoping for success in
the play-offs
HOME COMFORTS Top Scorers
Bigger than ever, UEFA EURO 2020 will be
a unique festival of football spread over Harry Kane England 12
cities in 12 different countries – a first for
the tournament which meant that no team Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal 11
qualified automatically as hosts. However, Eran Zahavi Israel 11
at least seven host nations will vie for the
Aleksandar Mitrović Serbia 10
trophy after Denmark, England, Germany,
Italy, the Netherlands, Russia and Spain Teemu Pukki Finland 10
all successfully navigated their qualifying
groups. In addition, Hungary, the Republic
of Ireland, Romania and Scotland will
Harry Kane jumps
compete to join them via the play-offs, for joy after scoring
with only one host nation – Azerbaijan – England’s second at
certain to miss out. home to Montenegro
12 13
Only Harry Kane
scored more goals
than Cristiano
Ronaldo in qualifying
BREAKING THROUGH
Serge Gnabry made
an impression for One of the joys of watching the
Germany European Qualifiers was the chance
to witness a new crop of talents
emerge. Just ask Germany coach
Joachim Löw, who singled out
Serge Gnabry as “a really important
player for us” even before the
Bayern winger finished on eight
goals from seven games with a
hat-trick against Northern Ireland.
Gnabry will now be relishing his first
senior finals, along with England’s
extravagantly gifted dynamo Jadon
Sancho, who scored his maiden
international goals in the 5-3 defeat
of Kosovo. They – like Portugal
prodigy João Félix, Netherlands
midfielder Donny van de Beek
and Belgium’s Youri Tielemans –
underlined their growing influence
and maturity, leaving fans with
plenty to look forward to when
these exciting young talents come
under the spotlight next summer.
Ciro Immobile
celebrates scoring
for Italy against
Finland in Tampere
PERFECT TEN
Before UEFA EURO 2020, only
six teams had ever won all their
NINETY-NINE AND COUNTING
“
qualifying games en route to a
Cristiano Ronaldo’s last goal at the 2018 FIFA World The 100th UEFA European Championship:
France (1992), Czech Republic
Cup was his 85th for Portugal and made him Europe’s
leading all-time scorer, one ahead of Ferenc Puskás goal will come (2000), France again (2004),
Germany and Spain (both 2012)
– and for a while, that seemed to be that. The striker
initially took a break from international football naturally. and England (2016). Belgium
and Italy have now joined that
and, when he returned for the first two UEFA EURO
2020 qualifiers, he failed to find the net. A hat-trick Records are club after notching ten victories
from ten. Italy’s haul of 37 goals
against Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League
semi-finals proved the catalyst, Ronaldo scoring in there to be equalled their combined total
in qualifying for UEFA EURO
each of Portugal’s last six qualifiers, 11 goals in total
including a four-goal haul in Lithuania. That left him beaten and I 2016 and the 2018 World Cup,
and their closing 9-1 defeat of
on 99 international strikes – only ten behind the world
record holder, Iran’s Ali Daei. “The 100th goal will am going to Armenia was their biggest since
1948, while Belgium finished as
come naturally,” Ronaldo said. “Records are there to be
beaten and I am going to beat them.” beat them” top scorers overall with 40 goals.
14 15
Tim Sparv is held
aloft by the fans
after Finland booked
their finals place
Player Stats
ASSISTS
Memphis Depay Netherlands 8
Raheem Sterling England 7
Antoine Griezmann France 7
Eden Hazard Belgium 7
FINNISH FERVOUR Kevin De Bruyne Belgium 7
“
There will be a new name at the finals
This is next summer after Finland became the PASSES COMPLETED
34th team to qualify for a UEFA European
something Championship. The Scandinavian side
Joshua Kimmich Germany
Toby Alderweireld Belgium
897
885
had never previously reached a major
that we and tournament, but they put that right by Jorginho Italy 822
finishing runners-up behind Italy in Group J.
everyone in “There were lots of tears, a lot of Sergio Ramos Spain 730
happiness,” said Teemu Pukki, who scored Glen Kamara Finland 720
Finnish football ten of Finland’s 16 goals, including a double
in the 3-0 defeat of Liechtenstein that
had been sealed their berth. “It’s something that we MOST SAVES
and everyone in Finnish football had been
waiting a long waiting a long time for. We’ll go there to get
Henry Bonello Malta
Benjamin Büchel Liechtenstein
49
48
points and perhaps also reach the knockout
time for” stage. We’re not just going to look around.” Pāvels Šteinbors Latvia 46
Aram Airapetyan Armenia 45
Sergei Lepmets Estonia 44
Memphis Depay
Eren Zahavi struck recorded six goals
11 times for Israel and eight assists
for the Netherlands
PLAY-OFF CHANCE
With 20 places already filled, the final
qualifying picture for UEFA EURO 2020
will be decided in the play-offs next March.
Four spots remain up for grabs from a field
of 16 teams split into four separate paths:
Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria,
Georgia, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo,
Northern Ireland, North Macedonia, Norway,
the Republic of Ireland, Romania, Scotland,
Serbia and Slovakia. Unlike previous
play-offs, the ties for this edition will be
single-leg knockout matches, with each path
holding semi-finals on 26 March and a final
five days later to determine the last four
tournament participants.
See page 37
17
Martin Garrix holds
the Henri Delaunay
The sound
trophy at his show
in Amsterdam
of summer
DJ AND PRODUCER MARTIN GARRIX IS LOOKING FORWARD TO
CREATING THE OFFICIAL SONG FOR “THE BIGGEST EURO IN HISTORY”
The brief: to create music that will capture the mood of to let everyone hear it,” said Garrix. “Next summer’s
the biggest ever EURO and become synonymous with tournament will take the fans closer to the action
the tournament; to come up with tunes that will provide than ever before, and I really hope that my song will
the soundtrack to the 2020 summer and produce make everyone in Europe feel like they are part of it.”
memories of great football over the years to come.
The song itself will be released in spring 2020 when
No pressure, then. the identity of its singer will also be revealed. It will
be performed in full for the first time at the opening
Step forward superstar DJ and producer Martin Garrix:
ceremony of the tournament at the Stadio Olimpico
“Music is my passion, but I’m also a huge football fan, so
in Rome on 12 June.
it’s extra special for me to be able to create the official
song for what will be the biggest EURO in history.” After being inspired by his fellow Dutch DJ Tiësto,
who performed at the 2004 Olympic Games opening
Garrix revealed he would be the official UEFA EURO
ceremony in Athens, Garrix has achieved worldwide
2020 music artist while performing in his hometown
success with hits such as Don’t Look Down
Amsterdam in October. The 23-year-old will produce
(featuring Usher), Scared to be Lonely (featuring
the official song and walkout music for the tournament,
Dua Lipa) and In the Name of Love (featuring Bebe
as well as the music for official broadcasts.
Rexha). He follows in the footsteps of David Guetta
“It’s an incredible honour to be asked to create the who wrote the official song for UEFA EURO 2016,
official song for UEFA EURO 2020 and I am so excited This One’s For You.
AMSTERDAM BAKU
18 19
AMSTERDAM BAKU BILBAO BUCHAREST BUDAPEST COPENHAGEN
For the
spectators with match tickets will enjoy free public
transport in almost all host cities on match days. This
has been a significant undertaking and we appreciate the
support provided by the host cities in making this a reality
– unprecedented across so many countries during a final
fans
tournament, and a crucial element in encouraging fans to
use public transport services.”
BUDAPEST COPENHAGEN DUBLIN GLASGOW LONDON But UEFA is also cooperating with hostMUNICH
cities in
developing a spectator experience that goes far beyond
the 90 minutes, and far beyond the fans attending the
EURO’s 51 matches. Iconic locations in each of the host
cities will play host to the UEFA Festival, a celebration
that will offer more than just football.
FROM A FESTIVAL ACROSS 12 HOST
“The UEFA Festival provides all visitors, families and
CITIES TO FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND residents alike, with a mix of entertainment, music,
A NEW TOURNAMENT APP, SUPPORTERS culture and festivity – with each location having a
distinct local feel, in line with the unique hosting
WILL BE AT THE HEART OF THE EURO structure of the finals,” Kallen adds. “For the 60th
LONDON MUNICH ROME ST. PETERSBURG anniversary of the finals, we wanted to ensure that
Thanks to the unique hosting structure of UEFA EURO EURO offers something for everyone, to be more
2020, the finals will bring the competition closer to inclusive than ever before.
more fans than ever before. These new experiences
“For people who do not have a ticket to the game or
will also come in new places, with seven UEFA member
who want to soak up the festive atmosphere, fan zones
associations set to host the UEFA European Football
in each of the host cities provide a fun place to watch all
Championship for the first time in the competition’s
the action. For those fans heading to the stadium, the
history, with 12 host cities in 12 countries. These new
last kilometre of their journey will include fan marches
EURO experiences extend to a range of innovations that
and a wave of live entertainment performances, all
UEFA is implementing for the first time, as UEFA Events
playing a key part in building the atmosphere during the
SA CEO Martin Kallen explains.
countdown to kick-off.”
”For UEFA EURO 2020, we are creating a new experience
Ensuring that fans are provided with all the necessary
driven by the fans,” he says. “Combining fan insight and
information prior to and during their stay in each of the
the latest in digital technology, our focus is to deliver a
host cities, the app will provide extensive tourist, travel
personalised experience for every fan. This starts with
and entertainment information to ensure that the EURO
the implementation of digital ticketing for specific target
experience is second to none. In addition, during the
groups at every game in the final tournament. The digital
tournament, Volkswagen Mobility Makers will be on hand
match ticket will be complemented by a range of digital AMSTERDAM BAKU BILBAO BUCHAREST
to answer any spectator-related queries.
services all designed to help fans make the best use of
their time – whether attending the match, organising their “We believe that we have every angle covered,” Kallen
travel and accommodation, or sampling what each host says. “All that is being prepared at the stadiums and in
city has to offer.” the cities has had a focus on the fans. The app, the UEFA
Festival and free public transport are part of the overall
UEFA expects a carnival atmosphere across all of Europe
package, which is supported by city spectaculars at iconic
during the month-long final tournament, from the opening
places in each host city – another opportunity for fans to
match in Rome on Friday 12 June until the final in London
capture a personal EURO moment. Our intention was to
on Sunday 12 July. Belgium fans get
behind their team bring EURO to the fans, and by taking to the streets in
“The tournament app will act as the gateway for everyone at Hampden Park big cities across Europe, we are helping to create many
to embrace all that EURO 2020 has to offer,” Kallen says. during qualifying cherished memories for everyone, not only through
“TheBILBAO BUCHAREST
app will unlock a personal digital travelcard, because BUDAPEST COPENHAGEN DUBLIN GLASGOW
football, but through the entire spectator experience.”
DUBLIN GLASGOW LONDON MUNICH ROME ST. PETERSBURG
20 21
“I said not
to worry…
I was goinG
to score”
Portugal’s winning goal in the UEFA EURO 2016
final may have come from an unexpected source,
but substitute Éder was far from the first to spring a
surprise in this competition when it mattered most
On its own, it still takes the breath away Let’s rewind to the beginning, 56 years
as a fairy-tale moment. Pure underdog previously but a Métro ticket away from
drama, unrefined. The later, the better. Éder’s glory goal at the Stade de France.
Judged again through the lens of UEFA The very first UEFA European Championship
European Championship history, it almost climaxed on the other side of Paris at the Parc
seems inevitable. des Princes in 1960, and in a very different
world. Brush away the cobwebs and the Soviet
Éder’s extra-time goal in the final of the
Union are tackling Yugoslavia for this newest
2016 edition was many things. Emphatic.
of trophies, trading a goal apiece before their
Decisive. Redemptive. Above all, it felt
tussle spills over into extra time.
surprising, even to Portugal fans – and
certainly to France goalkeeper Hugo The Yugoslavs, all flair and flourish, are
Lloris, left tumbling to stop a ball already dominant. The Soviets cling on thanks to
dancing around his net. But reminiscent goalkeeper Lev Yashin. Neither nation now
of so many strikes from finals past, it was exists, but they set the tone for finals to
also the most recent chapter in a long tale come when Viktor Ponedelnik – a man who
of late winners rattled in by substitutes represented his country just 29 times – heads
and unheralded players. the USSR to victory on 113 minutes.
Éder celebrates Portugal
winning the 2016 final22 23
Sixteen years later, the killer touch goals from football’s grandest talents:
comes late again. And from an equally Michel Platini in 1984 and Marco van
unexpected source. Basten volleying his physics-defying
masterpiece for the Netherlands in 1988.
This time, Antonín Panenka masterminds
another underdog triumph by inventing his But so often it is a late intervention that
own genre of penalty. Casually chipping the decides the final. France forward David
ball down the middle of Sepp Maier’s goal, Trezeguet was a serial marksman, but he
he gives Czechoslovakia an unforgettable was also a substitute in the 2000 decider
shoot-out win against West Germany, who and only took the pitch in the 76th minute.
bounce back in the next edition via a final We all know what happened next, Sylvain
double from Horst Hrubesch. Only called Wiltord denying Italy with a last-gasp finish
up after Klaus Fischer broke a leg, the and taking the game into extra time. Nail-
match winner on 88 minutes had never biting tension. Trezeguet blasting high into
previously scored for his country. the net for the golden goal. Game over.
Summoning the spirit of Hrubesch, Oliver So you can understand why Éder promised
Late goals from
Bierhoff then grabs the headlines at coach Fernando Santos that he would
unexpected sources
have been a hallmark of Wembley in 1996. The Germany striker settle the 2016 final. The scoreline was 0-0
previous EUROs, such was lucky to even be there. According when the Portugal coach lined up his last
as Viktor Ponedelnik to legend, it was coach Berti Vogts’ wife change on 79 minutes, summoning Éder to
for the Soviet Union in
who lobbied for his squad place, vowing: replace Renato Sanches. His first had come
1960 (below) and Horst
Hrubesch for West “He will repay you.” And how. Sent into desperately early – and could not have
Germany in 1980 (bottom) action on 69 minutes, the substitute nods been a heavier blow, Cristiano Ronaldo
Germany level against the Czech Republic hobbling off with injury, the team’s one-
before ending the contest in extra time, man driving force unable to continue.
rifling a golden-goal winner. Are you
Unsurprisingly, it was France who had since
sensing a pattern here?
looked likeliest to prevail. The stage, in
Sure, the UEFA European Championship other words, was set, and Éder had his own
has delivered less tight finales. Think of message for Santos as he received his brief.
Spain swatting aside Italy 4-0 in 2012, “He called me over and said I’d be subbed
or West Germany slotting three past the on,” recalls the forward. “He was giving me
Soviets in 1972. Denmark pulled off one instructions, and I was telling him not to
of the greatest surprises when they won worry, that I was going to score.”
2-0 against Germany in the 1992 final,
Despite his confidence, Éder was far from
following a last-minute invitation to the
an obvious hero. His entire life to that point Paul Pogba looks
tournament. And there have been final
had been a catalogue of adversities. It was on as Éder delivers
a minor miracle that he was in the stadium the defining blow
at all, this tall, powerful and sometimes
awkward striker who had been born in
Guinea-Bissau and moved to Portugal at a
“
young age with his parents, only to grow up
to change after he joined LOSC Lille on “I was elated, very emotional,” says Éder,
in a state-run care home in Coimbra.
I didn’t have loan for the second half of the 2015/16 that blistering effort securing Portugal
“Of course, those were difficulties that season and his six goals in 13 Ligue 1 their first major title and ruining France’s
I had to deal with, but they made me a to give any outings were enough to turn Santos’s head. party. “Just before we scored, France
better person,” he says. “It was good to hit the bar, so after that goal there was
have that school of life and I think I learned answers to “He showed all his trust in me and the
most important thing was to be there
so much joy. It was a great relief. We
a lot from my childhood. There was a lot celebrated together – you can see it in
of struggle. I had to work very hard, I had the critics. working hard,” says Éder, who travelled to
France with just three Portugal goals under
the footage, all the players running on to
to be focused and believe in myself. Only I the pitch and hugging each other. It was
know what I went through back then. But All I had to his belt – none in competitive games. By
the time the final rolled around, he had
amazing.”
I’m happy for all the battles I fought.”
Football offered deliverance, and soon
do was to give spent 13 minutes on the pitch, a forgotten
man until João Moutinho picks him out in
It was payback too. “The ugly duckling
scored and he is now a beautiful swan,”
a new set of challenges. Éder made his
top-flight start with Académica de Coimbra
everything the second half of extra time. commented Santos, but the player himself
had no thought for his many detractors. “I
Éder has drifted wide to receive possession,
before shining at Braga from 2012 to 2015,
which earned him promotion to the national
I had” but he holds off Laurent Koscielny and
was happy in that moment, nothing else
mattered,” he says. “I didn’t have to give
strides inside. He is still around 25m out
side. Then a move to Swansea City, a year any answers to the critics. All I had to do
when he stumbles slightly. He seems to be
before EURO 2016, brought an opportunity was to give everything I had.”
looking for a passing option, but swings his
to boost his profile, but he was unable to
foot through the ball without even glancing And besides, he had already warned them
find the net in 13 Premier League games.
at goal. The shot is low, viciously quick and with a Facebook post at the start of the
His chance of making the Portugal squad skids along the turf into the bottom-left tournament. “Go ahead, underestimate
was disappearing. It had never been great corner. Lloris can’t react in time, and the me,” it read, a stark message against a
to begin with, Éder taking 18 games to ball audibly hits the string before the crowd black background. It wasn’t meant to be
break his international duck. Things started knows what to think. taken literally.25
TEAM GUIDES
PREVIOUS FINAL
TOURNAMENTS 2
MOST RECENT
Marko Arnautović 2016 (group stage)
fires at goal against
EURO BEST
North Macedonia
Group stage 2008,
2016
ROUTE TO
THE FINALS
austria
GROUP G P W D L F A Pts
Poland 10 8 1 1 18 5 25
Austria 10 6 1 3 19 9 19
North Macedonia 10 4 2 4 12 13 14
Slovenia 10 4 2 4 16 11 14 AUSTRIA RECOVERED FROM A SLOW START
Israel 10 3 2 5 16 18 11
TO COMFORTABLY CLINCH A FINALS PLACE
Latvia 10 1 0 9 3 28 3
Austria 0-1 Poland, Israel 4-2 Austria, Austria Austria’s hopes of appearing in a third EURO in four
1-0 Slovenia, North Macedonia 1-4 Austria, tournaments took an early knock when they lost their
Austria 6-0 Latvia, Poland 0-0 Austria, first two qualifiers, with a 4-2 loss in Israel particularly
Austria 3-1 Israel, Slovenia 0-1 Austria, worrying. Instead, Franco Foda’s side went on a
Austria 2-1 North Macedonia, Latvia 1-0 Austria
seven-match unbeaten run that included six victories,
and only three goals conceded. The latter statistic
STATS LEADERS epitomises the defensive solidity that Foda espouses,
with the coach’s strategy relying on Austria’s ability to
GOALS counterattack at pace.
Marko Arnautović 6
The vast majority of the squad have gained plenty of
ASSISTS experience in the German Bundesliga over the last
Marcel Sabitzer 4 few years, with David Alaba and Martin Hinteregger
APPEARANCES the key players and Marko Arnautović the danger
Aleksandar Dragović 10 man up front, while Konrad Laimer, Marcel Sabitzer
and Valentino Lazaro have added pace and versatility.
Perhaps Austria’s major concern is a lack of power in
COACH attack; Foda is confident this is a puzzle that can be
Franco Foda solved as his side look to win a first EURO group game
after early eliminations in 2008 and 2016.26 27
Croatia
PREVIOUS FINAL
TOURNAMENTS 5
MOST RECENT Romelu Lukaku’s goals
against San Marino
2016 (quarter-finals) were just two from his
campaign total of seven
ROUTE TO
EURO BEST
Runners-up 1980
THE FINALS A NEW-LOOK SQUAD OVERCAME
GROUP E P W D L F A Pts SEVERAL HURDLES TO QUALIFY AGAIN
Croatia 8 5 2 1 17 7 17
After the high of reaching the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Wales 8 4 2 2 10 6 14
final, a series of influential retirements – including
Slovakia 8 4 1 3 13 11 13 Mario Mandžukić, Danijel Subašić and Vedran Ćorluka –
Hungary 8 4 0 4 8 11 12 forced coach Zlatko Dalić to remodel the Croatia squad
Azerbaijan 8 0 1 7 5 18 1 to reach a fifth successive EURO final tournament. Dalić
also had to deal with a number of injuries and loss
Croatia 2-1 Azerbaijan, Hungary 2-1 Croatia, of form, but stuck to his attacking style. Nine players
Croatia 2-1 Wales, Slovakia 0-4 Croatia, PREVIOUS FINAL
Azerbaijan 1-1 Croatia, Croatia 3-0 Hungary,
made their debuts during qualifying, although crucially TOURNAMENTS 5
Wales 1-1 Croatia, Croatia 3-1 Slovakia captain Luka Modrić remained and continued to be
Croatia’s key player. MOST RECENT
2016 (round of 16)
Results were still somewhat mixed, however, an
STATS LEADERS EURO BEST
impressive 4-0 win in Slovakia followed three days
Quarter-finals
GOALS later by a draw in Azerbaijan that represented the
1996, 2008
Bruno Petković 4 latter’s only point of the campaign. Goalkeeper Dominik
Livaković and midfielders Nikola Vlašić and Josip
ASSISTS
Brekalo all made big impressions, although perhaps
Marcelo Brozović, the most significant contribution came from powerful
Ivan Perišić, Ante Rebić 2 forward Bruno Petković, top scorer with four goals.
APPEARANCES Modrić is certainly optimistic about this new-look squad,
Borna Barišić, Josip Brekalo, saying: “If we stay fit, we can do big things again.”
Luka Modrić, Ivan Perišić 8
COACH Bruno Petković scored
Zlatko Dalić his fourth qualifying
goal in Croatia’s 3-1
win against Slovakia
ROUTE TO
THE FINALS
belgium
GROUP I P W D L F A Pts
Belgium 10 10 0 0 40 3 30
Russia 10 8 0 2 33 8 24
Scotland 10 5 0 5 16 19 15
RED DEVILS CONTINUE TO ENJOY Cyprus 10 3 1 6 15 20 10
LIFE AT FOOTBALL’S TOP TABLE Kazakhstan 10 3 1 6 13 17 10
Maybe the most remarkable aspect of Belgium’s serene San Marino 10 0 0 10 1 51 0
qualification campaign is that no one considers it that…
Belgium 3-1 Russia, Cyprus 0-2 Belgium,
remarkable. Nevertheless, the Red Devils broke their Belgium 3-0 Kazakhstan, Belgium 3-0 Scotland,
national record by winning all ten qualifying games, San Marino 0-4 Belgium, Scotland 0-4 Belgium,
building on their success at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Belgium 9-0 San Marino, Kazakhstan 0-2 Belgium,
where they finished in third place. The Belgian FA Russia 1-4 Belgium, Belgium 6-1 Cyprus
has reformed and modernised the country’s football
and general secretary Peter Bossaert says Belgium STATS LEADERS
are “capable of winning EURO”, particularly with key GOALS
personnel including the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Romelu Lukaku 7
Hazard, Youri Tielemans and Thibaut Courtois.
ASSISTS
The architect of the current success is head coach Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne 7
Roberto Martínez. He changed the mindset so that the
national team were given licence to play dominating APPEARANCES
and attractive football. Top scorers across the Toby Alderweireld 10
continent with 40 goals and just three goals conceded
in Group I, it appears that approach is now fully
COACH
ingrained. Hopes of EURO success may lie with Romelu
Lukaku, already Belgium’s all-time top goalscorer at Roberto Martínez
the age of just 26.28 29
czech
PREVIOUS FINAL
TOURNAMENTS 8
MOST RECENT
2012 (group stage)
ROUTE TO
republic
THE FINALS EURO BEST
Winners 1992
GROUP A P W D L F A Pts
England 8 7 0 1 37 6 21
Czech Republic 8 5 0 3 13 11 15
PERFECT HOME FORM DELIVERS A
Kosovo 8 3 2 3 13 16 11
SEVENTH STRAIGHT EURO PLACE Bulgaria 8 1 3 4 6 17 6
The Czechs qualified for a seventh successive EURO by showing Montenegro 8 0 3 5 3 22 3
plenty of determination and fighting spirit – not least having
England 5-0 Czech Republic, Czech Republic 2-1
opened their campaign with a 5-0 defeat away to England.
Bulgaria, Czech Republic 3-0 Montenegro, Kosovo
Coach Jaroslav Šilhavý drew on all his experience from six 2-1 Czech Republic, Montenegro 0-3 Czech
years as assistant to Karel Brückner to turn things around. Republic, Czech Republic 2-1 England, Czech
His side’s eventual success was founded on their impeccable Republic 2-1 Kosovo, Bulgaria 1-0 Czech Republic
PREVIOUS FINAL home form that brought four wins from four games. Three of
TOURNAMENTS 9 those involved the Czechs coming from behind, including the
STATS LEADERS
(3 as Czechoslovakia) important victory against eventual group winners England.
GOALS
MOST RECENT Šilhavý stamped his mark on the team, built around captain
2016 (group stage) Vladimír Darida and goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík, also tapping
Patrik Schick 4
EURO BEST into the momentum around Slavia Praha’s UEFA Champions ASSISTS
Winners 1976 League campaign with Tomáš Souček, Vladimír Coufal, Jakub Jankto 3
(as Czechoslovakia) Jan Bořil, Lukáš Masopust and former Slavia midfielder
APPEARANCES
Alex Král all playing key roles. Newcomers Ondřej Čelůstka
and Jakub Brabec formed a fine partnership in central
Ondřej Čelůstka, Jakub Jankto,
defence, while Dallas forward Zdeněk Ondrášek marked his Lukáš Masopust, Tomáš Souček 8
debut with the winner against England – testament to the
Czechs’ attacking approach. COACH
Jaroslav Šilhavý
Patrik Schick’s four
goals helped the Christian Eriksen
celebrates scoring
Czechs take second
spot in Group A ROUTE TO against Gibraltar
THE FINALS
GROUP D P W D L F A Pts
Denmark
Switzerland 8 5 2 1 19 6 17
Denmark 8 4 4 0 23 6 16
Republic of Ireland 8 3 4 1 7 5 13
Georgia 8 2 2 4 7 11 8
Gibraltar 8 0 0 8 3 31 0
DANES HOLD NERVE TO SEE OFF IRISH
Switzerland 3-3 Denmark, Denmark 1-1
AND SEAL PLACE IN THE FINALS
Republic of Ireland, Denmark 5-1 Georgia, Denmark’s qualification was both a triumph of
Gibraltar 0-6 Denmark, Georgia 0-0 Denmark,
Denmark 1-0 Switzerland, Denmark 6-0 Gibraltar, desire and a test of nerve as Åge Hareide’s side
Republic of Ireland 1-1 Denmark held firm on the final day of Group D, earning a
1-1 draw away to the Republic of Ireland to book
their place at UEFA EURO 2020. That made it 34
STATS LEADERS matches unbeaten under Hareide, a record that
GOALS looked over when Switzerland led 3-0 in Basel
Christian Eriksen 5 with just six minutes remaining on Matchday 2,
only for Denmark to somehow snatch a draw.
ASSISTS
Christian Eriksen 4 Hareide has created a solid side that has
delivered at both ends of the field, with 23
APPEARANCES goals scored in their eight qualifiers and only
Martin Braithwaite, Thomas Delaney, six conceded. Denmark’s two most important
Christian Eriksen, Pierre Emile players, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and
Højbjerg, Simon Kjær, Jens Stryger creative midfielder Christian Eriksen, again
Larsen, Kasper Schmeichel 8 demonstrated their value in the 1-0 defeat
of Switzerland in Copenhagen, Schmeichel
COACH producing a string of fine saves and Eriksen – who
either scored or assisted nine goals in qualifying
Åge Hareide – setting up Yussuf Poulsen for the late winner in
what proved a crucial victory.30 31
Finland
PREVIOUS FINAL
TOURNAMENTS 9
MOST RECENT
2016 (round of 16)
ROUTE TO
EURO BEST
Third place 1968
THE FINALS PROLIFIC PUKKI FIRES FINLAND
GROUP J P W D L F A Pts
TO THE FINALS FOR THE FIRST TIME
Italy 10 10 0 0 37 4 30
Finland 10 6 0 4 16 10 18 Having never before qualified for a major international
tournament, Finland harnessed the momentum from
Greece 10 4 2 4 12 14 14
their impressive UEFA Nations League campaign – in
Bosnia and Herzegovina 10 4 1 5 20 17 13 which they won promotion from League C – to claim
Armenia 10 3 1 6 14 25 10 second place behind Italy in Group J. Head coach
Liechtenstein 10 0 2 8 2 31 2
Markku Kanerva fashioned a team with the emphasis
on collective endeavour, and that unity served Finland
Italy 2-0 Finland, Armenia 0-2 Finland, Finland 2-0 well. They responded to an opening defeat in Italy with PREVIOUS FINAL
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Liechtenstein 0-2 Finland, four straight victories, riding out another loss to Italy TOURNAMENTS 0
Finland 1-0 Greece, Finland 1-2 Italy, Bosnia and
Herzegovina 4-1 Finland, Finland 3-0 Armenia, and a reverse in Bosnia and Herzegovina to secure MOST RECENT
Finland 3-0 Liechtenstein, Greece 2-1 Finland qualification with a home victory against Liechtenstein Never qualified
in their penultimate fixture.
EURO BEST
STATS LEADERS The bulk of Kanerva’s squad have been together for a Never qualified
considerable amount of time, with goalkeeper Lukas
GOALS Hradecky keeping six clean sheets behind reliable
Teemu Pukki 10 centre-back pairing Paulus Arajuuri and Joona Toivio;
ASSISTS captain Tim Sparv and Glen Kamara formed the
Robin Lod 3 midfield engine room, while the unquestioned star of
the show was ten-goal striker Teemu Pukki, whose
APPEARANCES haul included crucial strikes in wins against Bosnia and
Glen Kamara, Robin Lod, Herzegovina and Greece.
Teemu Pukki, Joona Toivio 10
COACH Teemu Pukki hit ten
Markku Kanerva goals to finish as the
joint fourth highest
scorer in qualifying
Jadon Sancho
runs at the Czech
Republic defence
ROUTE TO
THE FINALS
England
SOUTHGATE’S ATTACKING SIDE
GROUP A
England
Czech Republic
Kosovo
P W D L
8
8
8
7
5
3
0
0
2
F A Pts
1 37 6 21
3 13 11 15
3 13 16 11
Bulgaria 8 1 3 4 6 17 6
QUALIFY WITH A GLUT OF GOALS
Montenegro 8 0 3 5 3 22 3
After England’s wonderful run to the semi-finals of
the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Gareth Southgate’s men England 5-0 Czech Republic, Montenegro 1-5
England, England 4-0 Bulgaria, England 5-3
secured their spot at UEFA EURO 2020 in style. With Kosovo, Czech Republic 2-1 England,
three group matches guaranteed at Wembley, the Bulgaria 0-6 England, England 7-0 Montenegro,
Three Lions were suitably fired up to finish qualification Kosovo 0-4 England
impressively, beating Montenegro in their 1,000th
senior international match.
STATS LEADERS
Captain Harry Kane now sits sixth in their all-time
goalscoring chart; aged 26, he is already one of the GOALS
squad’s senior players, along with Raheem Sterling Harry Kane 12
(24). Even younger talent like Callum Hudson-Odoi, ASSISTS
Tammy Abraham and Jadon Sancho offer options up Raheem Sterling 7
front, with Mason Mount and Harry Winks impressing
in midfield; England’s real strength is going forward, APPEARANCES
with 37 goals scored in eight matches. Goalkeeper Harry Kane, Harry Maguire 8
Jordan Pickford was a key part of the team’s eye-
catching performances in Russia and remains the
COACH
No1 behind a back line that is marshalled by Harry
Maguire. Expectations are always high for England, Gareth Southgate
who will hope home advantage helps next summer.32 33
PREVIOUS FINAL TOURNAMENTS
France
12 (5 as West Germany)
MOST RECENT 2016 (semi-finals) Manuel Neuer saves
a penalty from Igor
ROUTE TO EURO BEST Winners 1972, 1980
(as West Germany), 1996
Stasevich in victory
against Belarus
THE FINALS
BEATEN FINALISTS IN 2016, LES BLEUS
GROUP H P W D L F A Pts
ARE READY TO CHALLENGE AGAIN
France 10 8 1 1 25 6 25
The world champions endured a couple of sticky Turkey 10 7 2 1 18 3 23
moments in qualifying, but have a fantastic chance
Iceland 10 6 1 3 14 11 19
to claim their third EURO title next summer. They
came so close on home soil in 2016, when they Albania 10 4 1 5 16 14 13
lost to an extra-time Portugal goal at the Stade de Andorra 10 1 1 8 3 20 4
France. The final qualifier, a 2-0 win away to Albania,
Moldova 10 1 0 9 4 26 3
represented Didier Deschamps’ 100th match
PREVIOUS FINAL as Les Bleus coach. He has blended new names Moldova 1-4 France, France 4-0 Iceland,
TOURNAMENTS 9 Turkey 2-0 France, Andorra 0-4 France,
like Clément Lenglet and Tanguy Ndombélé with
France 4-1 Albania, France 3-0 Andorra,
MOST RECENT hardened campaigners such as captain Hugo Lloris, Iceland 0-1 France, France 1-1 Turkey,
2016 (runners-up) centre-back Raphaël Varane, and the striking talents France 2-1 Moldova, Albania 0-2 France
EURO BEST of Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappé.
Winners 1984, 2000 Olivier Giroud claimed the scoring headlines, his six
STATS LEADERS
goals taking him on to 39 for France, behind only
Thierry Henry (51) and Michel Platini (41) in the all- GOALS
time list. Deschamps’ side favour a counterattacking Olivier Giroud 6
game and scored four goals in four of their qualifiers,
ASSISTS
finishing two points ahead of Turkey despite picking
up only one point in their two meetings.
Antoine Griezmann 7
APPEARANCES
Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann 10
Olivier Giroud’s six COACH
qualifying goals helped Didier Deschamps
lift him to third in
France’s all-time top
scorers list
ROUTE TO
germany
THE FINALS
GROUP C P W D L F A Pts
Germany 8 7 0 1 30 7 21
Netherlands 8 6 1 1 24 7 19
Northern Ireland 8 4 1 3 9 13 13
NEW FACES GIVE THREE-TIME
Belarus 8 1 1 6 4 16 4 WINNERS FRESH CAUSE FOR OPTIMISM
Estonia 8 0 1 7 2 26 1
A rejuvenated Germany continued their proud record
Netherlands 2-3 Germany, Belarus 0-2 of appearing at every EURO final tournament since
Germany, Germany 8-0 Estonia, Germany 2-4 1972, edging out the Netherlands to top Group
Netherlands, Northern Ireland 0-2 Germany, C. Joachim Löw has overhauled the squad since
Estonia 0-3 Germany, Germany 4-0 Belarus,
Germany 6-1 Northern Ireland the group stage exit at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
and UEFA Nations League disappointment. While
Manuel Neuer and Toni Kroos are both closing in on
STATS LEADERS a century of caps, younger players such as Serge
Gnabry, Lukas Klostermann, Julian Brandt and Timo
GOALS
Werner have been given opportunities to impress.
Serge Gnabry 8
As a result, Germany have occasionally struggled
ASSISTS
for consistency – their sole defeat, 4-2 at home to
İlkay Gündoğan 3 the Netherlands, came in a game in which they had
APPEARANCES scored first – and Löw will look to address these
Joshua Kimmich 8 issues in the build-up to the tournament. Having
been without Antonio Rüdiger, Niklas Süle and Leroy
COACH Sané due to long-term injuries, Germany are light on
experience, but no one will underestimate a side who
Joachim Löw have reached the semi-finals or better at the last
three EUROs.34
PREVIOUS FINAL
TOURNAMENTS 9
The Italy players
MOST RECENT celebrate clinching
2016 (quarter-finals) qualification with a 2-0
victory against Greece
EURO BEST
Winners 1968
ROUTE TO
THE FINALS
Italy
GROUP J P W D L F A Pts
Italy 10 10 0 0 37 4 30
Finland 10 6 0 4 16 10 18
Greece 10 4 2 4 12 14 14
PERFECT AZZURRI PUT WORLD CUP Bosnia and Herzegovina 10 4 1 5 20 17 13
DISAPPOINTMENT BEHIND THEM Armenia 10 3 1 6 14 25 10
Liechtenstein 10 0 2 8 2 31 2
Qualification sealed with three games to spare,
winning every game and keeping six clean sheets in Italy 2-0 Finland, Italy 6-0 Liechtenstein,
the process: after the disappointment of not reaching Greece 0-3 Italy, Italy 2-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina,
the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Italy have been revitalised Armenia 1-3 Italy, Finland 1-2 Italy, Italy 2-0
Greece, Liechtenstein 0-5 Italy, Bosnia and
by Roberto Mancini’s arrival. As a player he had a Herzegovina 0-3 Italy, Italy 9-1 Armenia
bittersweet relationship with the Azzurri shirt, but as
coach he has managed 11 consecutive wins, breaking
Vittorio Pozzo’s 80-year-old record of nine victories. STATS LEADERS
Mancini placed his faith in a 4-3-3 and a midfield GOALS
that valued technique above physicality. It was a Andrea Belotti 4
philosophy that brought the best out of Jorginho
ASSISTS
and Marco Verratti, and led to the emergence of
Federico Chiesa 3
Nicolò Barella and Stefano Sensi. The consolidation of
talents that exploded on to the scene in recent years, APPEARANCES
such as Gianluigi Donnarumma and Federico Chiesa, Leonardo Bonucci 10
combined with a rock-solid defence led by Leonardo
Bonucci, also contributed to the upturn in form. With COACH
enthusiasm rising and the prospect of group stage
home games next summer, there is real momentum Roberto Mancini
building behind Italy.36 37
On top of
UEFA will once again be the host broadcaster for 2020’s aspects of broadcast activities at the stadium, each team
huge festival of football, to be held in 12 different cities all will remain on-site to oversee the set-up and television
over Europe. Over 130 rights-holding broadcast partners, operations there.
located in more than 200 countries, will be provided
KEY FOR 2020: A new ‘fan arrival’ unilateral camera position
with live signals from all 51 matches, together with
the action
supplementary broadcast and digital content and services.
BROADCAST ENGINEERING AND THE IBC
This material will be delivered to all platforms from UEFA’s
Located at Expo Haarlemmermeer in Vijfhuizen, Amsterdam,
central broadcast hub – the international broadcast centre
Netherlands, the IBC is central to both UEFA’s multilateral,
(IBC) – which for EURO 2020 will be located in Amsterdam.
and broadcast partners’ unilateral, tournament coverage.
UEFA EURO 2020 provides “a unique but, above all, thrilling
The IBC provides the central distribution hub for all feeds
challenge,” says UEFA marketing director Guy-Laurent
and additional programming and is home to the Digital Hive.
Epstein. “Preparing for any EURO is a huge undertaking
It is also the home of the rights-holding broadcast partners
and our team have planned meticulously to ensure the host
AS HOST BROADCASTER FOR THE FINALS, UEFA WILL broadcast project will satisfy all stakeholders, not least the
based there during the tournament and UEFA’s own host
broadcasting and ICT teams. A fully redundant optical fibre
PROVIDE THE LIVE MATCH FEED AND ADDITIONAL most important of all, the fan watching the images of the
network will link all 12 venues and the IBC. During matches,
fantastic football we offer next summer.”
CONTENT FOR BROADCASTERS ACROSS THE WORLD this dedicated network carries all UEFA’s multilateral feeds
and the unilateral feeds of broadcast partners, in parallel
LIVE PRODUCTION to a back-up satellite transmission system also deployed at
each venue.
The ultra-high definition (UHD) multilateral host broadcast
for UEFA EURO 2020 builds upon the successes of 2016, KEY FOR 2020: Comprehensive parallel multi-format
The Republic of
Ireland players with a comprehensive 44-camera plan ensuring all the production in 1080p50 SDR, 1080p50 HDR and in UHD-HDR,
celebrate in front of action is captured before, during and after every match. including Dolby immersive audio on all UHD-HDR feeds
the cameras against While the live coverage remains the priority, 37 feeds
Georgia in March per match will provide all UEFA broadcast partners with
a variety of additional content to supplement their live
EDITORIAL CONTENT SERVICES
programming. UEFA’s live production output for EURO 2020 UEFA’s content services for UEFA EURO 2020 will provide a
will also include on-screen graphics (including those for wealth of material (packaged and raw footage) for its broadcast
VAR), the in-stadium ‘fan TV’ experience and centralised partners’ multi-platform use. This will include host city content,
quality control delivered from the IBC. magazine programmes, highlights shows and match promos,
among many other offerings, allowing broadcasters to extend
KEY FOR 2020: An estimated 5 billion TV viewers will tune
the tournament way beyond the boundaries of regular match
in live to watch UEFA EURO 2020
coverage and the tournament period itself. EURO2020.com,
the official apps and UEFA’s social media (available in various
HOST BROADCAST languages) will capture the unprecedented scale and vibrancy
VENUE OPERATIONS of UEFA EURO 2020, with cross-platform content on all UEFA’s
channels that aims to excite, unite and engage fans.
At all stadiums – from Bilbao to Baku – UEFA has worked
tirelessly to ensure both its own live-production crews and KEY FOR 2020: Over 110 hours of non-match content made
its broadcast partners have access to the best facilities. available to broadcast partners
Identified in a series of site visits, starting in early 2017,
these permanent and temporary facilities include camera,
interview and commentary positions as well as dedicated
BROADCASTER SERVICES
TV compounds, each between 5,000 and 11,000m2. During A dedicated team will provide all broadcast partners
the EURO, every venue has a designated permanent with best-in-class support, so they can fully exploit their
operations management team. Led by the broadcast media rights and provide their audiences with a complete
venue engineering managers, who are in charge of all bespoke production. This includes offering a full range of
bookable services and facilities at all venues and the IBC
for their unilateral needs – from commentary positions to
pitch-view studios.
The pitchside
view of Scotland KEY FOR 2020: Virtual stadium tour online tool (VISTA),
v Belgium enabling broadcast partners to ‘visit’ all the tournament
in September stadiums using a Google Street View-type experience
DIGITAL
UEFA is further enhancing the range of cutting-edge digital
broadcasting services it offers its broadcast partners
to ensure that UEFA EURO 2020 viewers will be able
to access tournament content on more platforms and
devices than ever before. These services take account of
the latest digital broadcasting market developments and
are aimed at simplifying the implementation process for
broadcast partners and providing a more integrated product
experience for fans.
KEY FOR 2020: The state-of-the-art Digital Hive acting as a
central repository for all content38 39
DRAW DELIVERS A DRAMATIC PLAY-OFF SCHEDULE
The 16 teams involved in the play-offs were placed into four
START FOR EURO 2020
different paths based on the outcomes of the UEFA Nations
League games played between September and November 2018.
The play-offs, in March 2020, consist of single-leg semi-finals and
finals, and will decide the last four berths at UEFA EURO 2020.
HOLDERS PORTUGAL WILL FACE GERMANY AND FRANCE IN THE GROUP STAGE
WHICH KICKS OFF WHEN ITALY AND TURKEY MEET IN ROME ON 12 JUNE
26 MARCH 31 MARCH
UEFA EURO 2020 came a step closer on 30 November
with the final tournament draw at ROMEXPO in 20:45
Bucharest. A blockbuster line-up emerged in Group F
with European champions Portugal, world champions
Bulgaria
20:45
France and record EURO title-winners Germany all paired Hungary
together, along with a play-off winner. There will also be Bulgaria/Hungary
rematches of certain qualifying rivalries, including Spain v
PATH
Sweden, England v Czech Republic and Russia v Belgium. A 20:45 Iceland/Romania
The draw determined the groups at the summer finals, Iceland
with the 20 qualified teams and four still-be-to-decided Romania
play-off path winners placed into six pools. It threw up
some enticing contests for the event taking place in 12
cities across the continent in a unique and truly pan- 20:45
European competition. Bosnia and
The ceremony opening featured the Bucharest Symphony Herzegovina 20:45
Orchestra and 7 Fingers, a contemporary acrobatic PATH Bosnia and Herzegovina/
Northern Ireland
collective from Montreal, who produced different dances
to represent each of the host cities.
B Northern Ireland
20:45
Draw guests included the artist in charge of EURO 2020’s Slovakia/
official music, DJ Martin Garrix, and there was a preview
Slovakia Republic of Ireland
of what to expect from the 12 host cities featuring the Republic
tournament mascot Skillzy alongside his freestylers team. of Ireland
A review of EURO 2016 pre-empted Portuguese winning
duo Ricardo Carvalho and João Mário bringing the Henri
Delaunay Cup back on stage. 18:00
Norway
Then it was time for the draw itself. A selection of EURO
18:00 OR 20:45
legends including Marcel Desailly, Ruud Gullit and Theo
Zagorakis drew the balls pot by pot, prompted by UEFA
PATH Serbia
Norway/Serbia
deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti. The teams C 20:45
that had qualified who are hosts were automatically Scotland/Israel
assigned to their groups and it was soon determined Scotland
that Italy and Turkey would contest the opening match in
Rome on 12 June. Before then, the final four places at the Israel
EURO will be determined in the play-offs in March.
18:00
Georgia
UEFA EURO 2020 GROUPS PATH Belarus
18:00
Georgia/Belarus
A B C D E F
D
20:45
North Macedonia/
North Macedonia Kosovo
Turkey Denmark (hosts) Netherlands (hosts) England (hosts) Spain (hosts) Play-off winner
Italy (hosts) Finland Ukraine Croatia Sweden Path A (D) Kosovo
The stage is set in Bucharest (top);
Wales Belgium Austria Play-off winner Poland Portugal coaches Fernando Santos, Didier
Deschamps and Joachim Löw look on
Switzerland Russia (hosts) Play-off winner Path C Play-off winner France the bright side after Portugal, France
and Germany were drawn in Group F
Path D (A) Czech Republic Path B Germany (hosts) The top team in each fixture will play at home
All times are CET
Play-off winner A is allocated to Group F and play-off winner D to Group C.
If Romania qualify as Path A winners, they will play in Group C and play-off winner D will be switched to Group F.At SOCAR we want to go far,
uniting countries and cultures
across the world, through our
eternal love of football
ENERGY OF AZERBAIJAN43
ROUTE TO
THE FINALS
netherlands
THE DUTCH RETURN AS KOEMAN
GROUP C P W D L F A Pts
BLENDS EXPERIENCE AND PROMISE
Germany 8 7 0 1 30 7 21
Netherlands 8 6 1 1 24 7 19
The Netherlands have staged a revival in their
fortunes in recent years, having missed out on
Northern Ireland 8 4 1 3 9 13 13
qualifying for UEFA EURO 2016 and the 2018 FIFA
Belarus 8 1 1 6 4 16 4 World Cup. They have built on the positive impact
Estonia 8 0 1 7 2 26 1 they made in the UEFA Nations League – losing
to Portugal in the final, having beaten Germany,
Netherlands 4-0 Belarus, Netherlands 2-3 France and England along the way.
Germany, Germany 2-4 Netherlands, Estonia 0-4 PREVIOUS FINAL
Netherlands, Netherlands 3-1 Northern Ireland, Ronald Koeman blended experienced players such TOURNAMENTS 9
Belarus 1-2 Netherlands, Northern Ireland 0-0
Netherlands, Netherlands 5-0 Estonia
as Jasper Cillessen, Daley Blind and Ryan Babel MOST RECENT
with a core of those in their prime, including Virgil 2012 (group stage)
van Dijk, Georginio Wijnaldum, Quincy Promes and
EURO BEST
STATS LEADERS Memphis Depay, and one of the most promising Winners 1988
crops of young players around (Matthijs de Ligt,
GOALS Frenkie de Jong, Steven Bergwijn, Donyell Malen).
Georginio Wijnaldum 8 Depay led the way with six goals and eight assists
ASSISTS – the latter the highest in qualifying overall – while
Wijnaldum contributed three assists to go with his
Memphis Depay 8
eight goals. Boasting one of the best centre-back
APPEARANCES pairings around in De Ligt and captain Van Dijk,
Jasper Cillessen, Matthijs de Ligt, Oranje fans are beginning to believe again.
Frenkie de Jong 8
COACH Frenkie de Jong
Ronald Koeman on the ball against
Northern Ireland44 45
poland
PREVIOUS FINAL
TOURNAMENTS 7
MOST RECENT
2016 (winners)
ROUTE TO Cristiano Ronaldo played
POLISH HOPES ARE HIGH AFTER A
THE FINALS in every qualifying game
and hit double figures
EURO BEST
Winners 2016
for the holders
GROUP G P W D L F A Pts
DOMINANT QUALIFYING CAMPAIGN
Poland 10 8 1 1 18 5 25
Poland had not qualified for a EURO until they reached Austria 10 6 1 3 19 9 19
the 2008 edition; now they will take part in their fourth North Macedonia 10 4 2 4 12 13 14
consecutive finals after securing their passage with
Slovenia 10 4 2 4 16 11 14
two games remaining. Unsurprisingly, captain Robert
Lewandowski, Poland’s all-time top scorer, shone Israel 10 3 2 5 16 18 11
during the qualification campaign with six goals. He Latvia 10 1 0 9 3 28 3
was accompanied by Krzysztof Piątek, who was the
PREVIOUS FINAL Austria 0-1 Poland, Poland 2-0 Latvia,
matchwinner in the big away victories against Austria,
TOURNAMENTS 3 North Macedonia 0-1 Poland, Poland 4-0 Israel,
North Macedonia and Israel. The 24-year-old also struck Slovenia 2-0 Poland, Poland 0-0 Austria,
MOST RECENT in the 4-0 home success against Israel that gave Poland Latvia 0-3 Poland, Poland 2-0 North Macedonia,
2016 (quarter-finals) four wins from four. Israel 1-2 Poland, Poland 3-2 Slovenia
EURO BEST Another key player has been Grzegorz Krychowiak,
Quarter-finals 2016 who has regained top form since joining Lokomotiv STATS LEADERS
Moskva, while Jerzy Brzęczek has two high-class
GOALS
goalkeepers at his disposal in Łukasz Fabiański and
Robert Lewandowski 6
Wojciech Szczęsny. Brzęczek replaced Adam Nawałka
after the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia. With a ASSISTS
blend of youth and experience, expectations of at least Kamil Grosicki 3
matching Poland’s best ever EURO performance – the
APPEARANCES
quarter-final from UEFA EURO 2016 against eventual
Grzegorz Krychowiak, Robert
champions Portugal – are high.
Lewandowski, Piotr Zieliński 10
COACH
Jerzy Brzęczek
ROUTE TO
THE FINALS
GROUP B
Ukraine
Portugal
Serbia
P W D L
8
8
8
6
5
4
2
2
2
F A Pts
0 17 4 20
1 22 6 17
2 17 17 14
portugal
RONALDO HELPS HOLDERS HIT
Luxembourg 8 1 1 6 7 16 4 FORM AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME
Lithuania 8 0 1 7 5 25 1 After the high of their first major international
Portugal 0-0 Ukraine, Portugal 1-1 Serbia, trophy at UEFA EURO 2016 was followed by last-16
Serbia 2-4 Portugal, Lithuania 1-5 Portugal, elimination at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Portugal
Portugal 3-0 Luxembourg, Ukraine 2-1 Portugal, made a modest start to qualifying, drawing their
Portugal 6-0 Lithuania, Luxembourg 0-2 Portugal
first two matches. However, the injection of
confidence from victory in the inaugural UEFA
Nations League prompted an upturn in results,
STATS LEADERS
Portugal winning five of their last six qualifiers to
GOALS reach a seventh successive EURO.
Cristiano Ronaldo 11 Coach Fernando Santos favoured evolution over
ASSISTS revolution, keeping the core of the team together.
Bernardo Silva 6 Rúben Dias has become an undisputed starter,
Bernardo Silva assumed much of the creative
APPEARANCES
responsibility, providing six assists, and Bruno
Rúben Dias, Rui Patrício, Fernandes began to replicate his club performances
Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva 8 for the national side. Up front, Cristiano Ronaldo
Robert Lewandowski
spearheaded the Poland continued to deliver, scoring in each of Portugal’s
attack, here taking on last six qualifiers to take his qualifying total to 11
Israel defender Eytan Tibi COACH overall – and his international total to 99. Having
Fernando Santos not missed a tournament since 1996, Portugal will
once again be among the teams to beat.You can also read
