A whole range of football delicacies await us when the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 begins in late summer.
UEFA.com takes a look at three top games from the first week.
All games at a glance
Group A2: France – Italy: Friday September 6th
The 2022 runner-up will meet the winner of UEFA EURO 2020: There will be a duel between France and Italy on matchday 1. Les Bleus have won the last three duels between the two teams, but in the last competitive game the Azzurri were ahead and won the group game at EURO 2008 2-0.
France coach Didier Deschamps has been in office for almost twelve years now, and his counterpart Luciano Spalletti took over from Roberto Mancini last September. Italy’s coach said after the draw: “We faced difficult opponents. We have to continue on our path and be ready for these big challenges.”
EURO 2000 final highlights: France – Italy 2-1
Group A3: Netherlands – Germany: Tuesday, September 10th
For the second time, these two major powers of European football will be facing each other in the UEFA Nations League. The duel had already taken place in 2018/19, when the Oranje won 3-0 in Amsterdam and drew 2-2 in a thrilling game in Gelsenkirchen.
Just four months later, Germany won EURO 2020 qualifying thanks to a last-minute goal from Nico Schulz in Amsterdam, but the Netherlands got revenge with a 4-2 triumph in the second leg in Hamburg. “If people believe that Germany and the Netherlands are the favorites in this group, then we should prove it,” said bond coach Ronald Koeman and warned against writing off Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina prematurely.
Highlights: Germany – Netherlands 2:2
Group B2: Republic of Ireland v England, Saturday September 7th
England and the Republic of Ireland have not met in a competitive match since qualifying for EURO 1992. In the test matches that have taken place since then, things have mostly been close. Seven of the last 14 games ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Three Lions were relegated from League A in 2022 and are now under pressure. “Of course our goal is to get back to League A,” said England coach Gareth Southgate.
Highlights 2020: England – Republik Irland 3:0
And otherwise?
- Group A1 includes three veteran stars: Luka Modrić (Croatia), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) and Robert Lewandowski (Poland).
- Wales and Turkey faced off at EURO 2020, with the Welsh winning. Turkey was ahead in qualifying for EURO 2024, and now there will be a reunion.
- Denmark and Spain are looking forward to their first competitive duel since August 2008. Denmark has developed strongly in recent years and could make life extremely difficult for the defending champions.
Termine der Nations League 2024/25
1st matchday: September 5th – 7th, 2024
2nd matchday: September 8th – 10th, 2024
3rd matchday: October 10th – 12th, 2024
4th matchday: October 13th – 15th, 2024
5th matchday: November 14th – 16th, 2024
6th matchday: November 17th – 19th, 2024
Knockout round play-offs draw: November 2024
Knockout round play-offs: March 20-25, 2025
Quarterfinals League A: March 20 – 25, 2025
Final round: June 4th – 8th, 2025