League of Nations: Croatia, Denmark and Austria in the group of the Blues, outgoing champions
CHAMPIONSHIP – Spared by the draw, France inherited a homogeneous group on Thursday for the third edition of the League of Nations. The Italian European champions have, them, been poured into the group of death, with England and Germany.
LA with AFP –
Not a bad draw for the reigning champions. Victorious against Spain last October, the French football team was placed, this Thursday, December 16 in Nyon (Switzerland), in the first group of the 2022-23 edition of the League of Nations. The Blues, who will cross swords with Denmark, Croatia and Austria, will start favorites to qualify for the next « final four ».
France spared …
If, on paper, these names are not necessarily very high-sounding, but the task will not be easy for all that. Denmark, already, is surfing on a dynamic of dazzling form (only 5 defeats since the 2018 World Cup, semi-finalist of the last Euro) and deploys a licked game, with a great debauchery of energy. Croatia, for its part, has been in the midst of its transition since its world final in 2018. It remains nonetheless dangerous, under the leadership of its playing master, Luka Modric. A new, very talented generation is also knocking on the door (Pasalic, Gvardiol, Brekalo or even Vlasic). Finally, the Austrians remain on a good performance at the Euro (defeat in the round of 16 against Italy). Under the leadership of their captain, David Alaba, they could well constitute the justice of the peace of this very balanced hen.
… not Italy
In addition, Italy and Germany inherited the group of death, including England. Portugal, the first winner of the competition, will face Spain, recent finalist. The Czech Republic, attractive quarter-finalist of the last Euro, and Switzerland, complete this very open group. Finally, the Poland of the unstoppable Robert Lewandowski was placed in the company of Belgium and the Netherlands. Wales seem to be a cut below and on the brink of relegation.
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As a reminder, the 55 UEFA nations are divided into four divisions, from League A (the best) to League D, depending on their performance in the previous edition. The four group winners of League A will compete for the title in a four-way tournament, a « Final 4 », with a semi-final, a final and a match for 3rd place.
LEAGUE A GROUPS
The France team avoided the group of death, which includes England, Germany and Italy. The Blues were poured into Group 1, along with Austria, Croatia and Denmark. The composition of the four groups of League A of the League of Nations:
Group 1: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, France
Group 2: Czech Republic, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain
Group 3: Hungary, England, Germany, Italy
Group 4: Wales, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium
GOOD NIGHT
That’s all for this short draw ceremony for the next edition of the League of Nations. See you next June for the first matches in the group stage.
LEAGUE A GROUPS
If France was rather spared by the draw (Denmark, Croatia and Austria), the reigning Italian European champions have fallen into a very strong group. They will cross swords with England, semi-finalist of the last World Cup and unfortunate finalist of the last Euro, Germany, in transition in recent years but still formidable, and Hungary.
In group 4, we will be entitled to a « Benelux shock » between Belgians and Dutch. Poland could also play the troublesome party. On the other hand, the Welsh seem, them, a notch below.
Finally, the winner of the first edition of the League of Nations – Portugal – was paid with Spain, recent finalist, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, attractive quarter-finalist of the last Euro.
LEAGUE A GROUPS
The France team avoided the group of death, which includes England, Germany and Italy. The Blues were poured into Group 1, along with Austria, Croatia and Denmark. The composition of the four groups of League A of the League of Nations:
Group 1: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, France
Group 2: Czech Republic, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain
Group 3: Hungary, England, Germany, Italy
Group 4: Wales, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium
THE LEAGUE A DRAW
The drawing for the groups of League A of the League of Nations, where France is placed, begins. The teams in hat 4 will first be divided into the different groups. It will then be the turn of those of hat 3, then 2, then 1.
… AND THE BEST
The four teams in hat 2 will undoubtedly constitute a real threat for the Blues. Despite everything, Denmark and the Netherlands seem to be the most enviable « preys » for Deschamps’ men. In hat 3, the French players could, in the best case, find Croatia or Switzerland. Finally, in the final pot, Wales are certainly the weakest formation right now.
The best draw for the Blues:
France
Netherlands
Swiss
Wales
THE WORST POSSIBLE DRAW FOR THE BLUES …
The four teams in hat 2 will undoubtedly constitute a real threat for the Blues. Despite everything, Belgium and especially Italy seem to be the least enviable « preys » for Deschamps’ men. In hat 3, England will be avoided at all costs. Finally, in the final pot, the Czech Republic, attractive quarter-finalist of the last Euro, acts as a big scratching point.
The worst possible group:
France
Italy
England
Czech Republic
WHATDATES ?
The group stages of the four leagues (A, B, C, D) of this League of Nations 2022-23 will take place in June and September. The teams which will finish at the top of their group, in league A, will play a « final four » in June 2023, ie after the World Cup.
In leagues B, C, D, the formations in pole position of their group will be promoted in the higher league during the next edition of the competition (from league C to league B for example).
WHAT POSSIBLE OPPONENTS FOR FRANCE?
Four hats were formed to carry out the draw for Division A – which includes France – of the League of Nations. From there, four pools of four teams will be made up.
Holders of the title, after their victory against Spain last October, Didier Deschamps’ players feature in the first hat, alongside Spain, Italy and Belgium. None of these four countries will therefore be able to compete in the group stage. For the rest everything is open, the Blues can be paid with each of the four teams from the other three pots. England acts like a scarecrow in the third hat.
The composition of the hats:
Hat 1: France – Spain – Italy – Belgium
Hat 2: Portugal – Germany – Netherlands – Denmark
Hat 3: England – Poland – Switzerland – Croatia
Hat 4: Hungary – Wales – Czech Republic – Austria
WELCOME
The draw for the 2022-23 Nations League groups will start at 6 p.m. in Nyon (Switzerland) from UEFA headquarters.
The winners of the groups of the other leagues (B, C, D) will be promoted to the Superior League during the next edition. Each team finishing in the last position of its group, including in League A, will be relegated to the lower division.
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