The Football League of Nations, which starts on Saturday, will provide Huuhkaki with a second route to the European Championship finals in Germany two years from now. The concept of the League of Nations is not considered everywhere.
Although there is still two years to go before the next men’s European Championships in football, the owl’s journey towards Germany will begin as early as Saturday. In the League of Nations, which is being played for the third time, there is another way to the European Championships as a carrot.
Finland is playing in Group 3 of the B League with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania and Montenegro. The winner of the block will be promoted to the highest A-League of the League of Nations and will have a place in the qualifiers for the European Championships.
Simplified, by winning the League of Nations block, the Owners can already improve their chances of getting into the German Games. The actual European Championship qualifiers will start in the spring of 2023.
A total of 12 qualifiers will be awarded to those who succeed in the League of Nations. This will be awarded to every A, B and C league winner.
If any group winner survives the tournament directly through the European Championship qualifiers, the place in the next qualifier will move to the next best-placed country in the same league.
For example, Finland grabbed a place in the 2018 League of Nations as the group winner of the C League, but did not need it, because the place was secured directly in the actual European Championship qualifier.
Unlike previous European Championship qualifiers, D-League teams no longer have a secure place in the qualifiers. The winners of the A-League will play in the final tournament of the League of Nations in June 2023. The reigning champion is France.
The European Football Association (UEFA) established the League of Nations for 2018 with the aim of reducing insignificant practice matches. At the same time, the number of matches for national teams has risen, driven by corona-induced transfers. In June, most national teams, including Finland, will play four matches in the same window for the first time.
The increased number of national matches has caused a stir in many of the world’s tops. Liverpool head coach Jürgen Klopp recently photographed the League of Nations (moving to another service) “the most ridiculous idea in the football world.” The last star in the middle of Belgium opened his mouth Kevin De Bruynewho would have longed for a holiday after a long season.
– I do not think the League of Nations is important. These are just glorified practice matches. I don’t expect these games to be played, De Bruyne said, noting that players only have three weeks off a year.
De Bruyne played a total of 45 matches in Manchester City last season and just under 3,400 minutes.
In owls, the world of thought is the opposite. Players are looking forward to betting games in front of the home crowd. Midfielder Ilmari Niskanen says to Sport that he understands but does not sign De Bruyne ‘s point of view.
– I kind of understand that the top players play an awful lot of games during the year. I personally have no hurry to vacation. It’s great to be with the national team and get betting on games. For us as a team, this is a great seam to get a place in the European Championship qualifiers and of course to get into the A-league as well, Niskanen says.
Niskanen played in Dundee’s shirt in Scotland in 37 matches in just under 2,500 minutes. In Cyprus in a Paphos shirt Congratulations to Valakar accumulated 28 matches and approximately 2,000 minutes of play. He is on the same lines as Niskanen.
– Every time players want to play. We have a 100% charge, although some have long periods behind us. Representing the Finnish national team is always an honor, Valakari says.
De Bruyne and the Belgian national team as the European Championship carrot are not the same as the Owls, as the country will most likely survive the European Championship qualifiers. A secure place for further qualifiers for Finland even before the start of the actual European Championship qualifiers would be a great achievement. In June, the Ospreys will meet twice in Bosnia and Herzegovina and once in Montenegro and Romania.
– The block is really flat in advance and definitely such that it is possible to take the place of the block winner with good success. We have a terrible download for these games, Niskanen assures.
The Finnish men’s national football team Huuhkajat will face Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday, June 4, at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. The broadcast will be available on TV2 and Areena from 18.00. The match itself starts at 7 p.m.