Uefa Nations League Finals: Hasn’t football finished yet? Oh go on then
If you thought football had packed up for the summer then think again as the longest season ever segues into the coda that nobody asked for: this week’s Nations League Finals.
From Wednesday through to Sunday, hosts the Netherlands, Croatia, Spain and Italy are set to convene in the lowlands to duke it out for Uefa’s biennial prize.
Here’s the lowdown on the sometimes fun, much maligned competition – including England’s absence – and who has what to prove in Rotterdam and Enschede over the next five days.
Who’s playing in the Uefa Nations League Finals?
Four years after his Netherlands side finished runners-up in the inaugural Nations League Finals, Ronald Koeman is back in charge of the Oranje for another shot at the trophy.
The Dutch were the most impressive team in League A, taking 16 points from a possible 18, and have since enjoyed a run to the World Cup quarter-finals in Qatar.
But that was under Louis van Gaal, and in former Barcelona, Everton and Southampton coach Koeman’s first game back they were thumped 4-0 by France in March.
In Wednesday’s first semi-final, the Netherlands host a Croatia side who might be called perennial nearly men if it didn’t diminish their achievements for such a small nation.
Third and second at the last two World Cups, Zlatko Dalic’s team still revolve around Luka Modric, who, at 37, is running out of time to add international honours to a glittering CV.
Prolific goalscorers they ain’t, and the defence is missing injured Manchester City target Josko Gvardiol, but no one will expect Croatia to roll over in Rotterdam.
Spain are in a transitional period as new coach Luis de la Fuente attempts to make his mark, having been promoted to the senior team via age-group sides, not unlike Gareth Southgate.
De la Fuente suffered an early setback when humbled 2-0 by Scotland in only his second game earlier this year and is without wonderkid Pedri, shifting the spotlight to fellow prodigy Gavi.
Their opponents in Thursday’s semi-final in Enschede are Italy, who have bounced from one extreme to the other in five years under former City manager Roberto Mancini.
Having won a delayed Euro 2020, they then failed to qualify for the World Cup but finished top of a tough Nations League group that also included Germany and England.
Which Italy turn up is anyone’s guess, but the country could use a footballing lift after Serie A teams lost in all three European club finals this month.
So no England then?
England reached the Nations League Finals in 2019 but missed out two years later and this time went one worse, finishing bottom of their group to ensure relegation to the second tier.
They won’t be on the beach this week, however; Southgate’s squad face pulse-slowing Euro 2024 qualifiers away to Malta on Friday and at home against North Macedonia on Monday.
Do the Nations League Finals winners qualify for Euro 2024?
Yes, if they don’t make it through the usual qualifying process. In all likelihood they will, so the place will go to the next best ranked team from League A who need a leg-up.
Where can I watch this feast of football?
Channel 4 is showing Sunday’s final (kick-off 7:45pm) but if you want to watch the semis (Wed/Thu 7:45pm) you’ll need a subscription to Premier Sports.