Italy's World Cup qualification campaign has barely begun and already the country is worried about the shocking possibility of failing to reach the final tournament for a third consecutive time after a humiliating defeat by Norway.

Norway already had two wins under their belt in Group I before Friday's match in Oslo, while Italy had yet to play, having been involved in the Nations League quarter-finals in March, losing out to Germany.

A 2-1 defeat at the San Siro in the first leg left Italy chasing the tie in Germany and they found themselves 3-0 down at the break before staging a second-half comeback to salvage a draw, and some pride.

It was the same story on Friday for Italy at the Ullevaal Stadium, at least as far as the opening act went. Norway roared into a 3-0 lead in the first half but this time there was no Italian fightback in a goalless second half.

"Enough!" screamed the Gazzetta dello Sport front page on Saturday, after Italy suffered their third loss in a four-game winless run, with the newspaper adding that for Italy the "World Cup is already at risk".

Next year's World Cup takes place in the United States, Canada and Mexico but in the two decades since Italy won the tournament for the fourth time, they have struggled to perform or, more recently, to even get there.

Berlin 2006 seems a lifetime ago now, with Zinedine Zidane sent off for his head butt to Marco Materazzi's chest and Italy lifting the trophy after a penalty shootout win over France.

The next two World Cups saw Italy exit at the group stage, and while they triumphed at Euro 2020, on either side of that success they missed out on the World Cup after playoff defeats to Sweden and North Macedonia.

With Italy now playing catch-up and only the group winners qualifying automatically, La Repubblica's front-page headline "Azzurri humiliated in Oslo, the playoff nightmare returns" hints at the frightening possibilities ahead.

Italy's loss came less than a week after Inter Milan's 5-0 mauling at the hands of Paris St Germain in the Champions League final and on both occasions the tired-looking losers were outclassed by a hungrier, more creative side.

Italy manager Luciano Spalletti was spared following last year's dismal Euros but is now under real pressure and nothing but a convincing win at home to Moldova on Monday will do, with media and fans increasingly calling for a change of leadership.

Switzerland's Young Boys beat Galatasaray 1-0 in the second leg of their Champions League playoff on Tuesday to qualify for the league phase of the refreshed competition following a 4-2 aggregate win.

Young Boys forward Alan Virginius scored in the 87th minute after the Swiss champions defeated Galatasaray 3-2 in their home leg last week.

Czech champions Sparta Prague beat Sweden's Malmo 2-0 for a 4-0 aggregate win as they also reached the Champions League's new league phase while RB Salzburg drew 1-1 at home with Dynamo Kyiv to advance after their 2-0 first-leg win.

 

Young Boys, Sparta Praha and Salzburg book their places in the new-look league phase ✅

Play-off second legs round-up 👇#UCL

— Uefa Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 27, 2024

 

Belgium right back Thomas Meunier is 10 days away from full fitness and will join the squad at the European Championship, coach Domenico Tedesco confirmed.

Meunier stayed home in Belgium for treatment on a hamstring injury and Tedesco had until Sunday to name a replacement in the squad ahead of his side’s opener against Slovakia later on Monday.

"He will be able to join the team in a week and a half. That is one of the reasons why I did not tinker with the squad," Tedesco told reporters.

"I didn't want to drop Meunier because he showed himself so motivated (to recover). I'm glad the injury isn't too bad and that he can still come to Germany."

Meunier will also miss Belgium’s second Group E game against Romania on Saturday but has a chance to be fit for their final pool clash against Ukraine on June 26.

Belgium have been hard hit by defensive injuries in the build-up to Euro 2024 with Axel Witsel also likely to miss the clash with Slovakia.

Regular centre backs Jan Vertonghen and Arthur Theate are back in training after being sidelined but are not certain to start on Monday.

Axel Witsel has come out of international retirement to fulfil a new role with Belgium at the European Championship in Germany and said it was an easy decision to make when he was called by coach Domenico Tedesco.

Witsel, 35, retired from the national team in May last year after being dropped from the squad for the March 2023 Euro qualifiers, having won 130 caps over 15 years, most of them in the midfield.

But after a fine season in LaLiga at centre-back with Atletico Madrid, Tedesco wants him to add experience to the backline, potentially alongside the 37-year-old Jan Vertonghen.

"The coach contacted me and I understood it (his plan) right away," Witsel told reporters on Saturday. "The appetite was still there and that's why I decided to come back.

"I may have made a pretty quick decision to stop (with the national team). That's life. But after such a season (in Spain), I felt like returning."

He will have to adapt from a three-man defence at Atletico to a back four with Belgium, but does not see this as an issue.

"I made the adjustment (to centre-back) and in my head I am now a defender. I feel really comfortable there. You have to make quick decisions in defence. That is now also the role I will play."

Witsel dismisses any suggestion that he and Vertonghen may lack the pace to play together.

"Jan and I will be able to find each other well there. We may not be the fastest but we will solve that issue differently."

Witsel admits that Belgium may not be the force of two or three years ago, but believes they have enough quality in the squad to lift the title in Germany.

"We are no longer the big favourite. But we have a good mix between experience and youngsters," he said. "I would rather consider ourselves an outsider. We have to tackle the tournament match by match. And then anything is possible."

Belgium are in Group E along with Romania, Ukraine and Slovakia, and open their campaign against the Slovakians in Frankfurt on June 17.

Napoli renew their bid for Champions League football on Saturday when they take on rivals Atalanta with the Juan Jesus racism storm making it a bitter Easter weekend for the ailing Scudetto holders.

Italy's outgoing champions return from the international break outraged over Tuesday's decision by the Italian Football Federation's disciplinary tribunal to clear Inter Milan's Francesco Acerbi of racially abusing Brazilian Jesus.

Racism from the stands is depressingly common in Italian football, where neo-fascist fan groups have been a common sight since at least the 1970s.

But such a serious accusation – which Acerbi denies despite apologising to Jesus on the pitch – aimed at a current Italy player caused a huge controversy which carried right through the international break.

The episode left a sour enough feeling in Naples that Napoli decided to pull their support for FIGC-sponsored anti-racism initiatives, calling them "purely cosmetic".

SIGNS OF LIFE

Italy's outgoing champions have also shown signs of life on the pitch since being taken over by Francesco Calzona last month and fought back impressively to stall Inter's solo title march a fortnight ago.

Napoli are seventh and nine points behind fourth-placed Bologna with nine matches remaining, a gap which would ordinarily leave them way off the pace for the Champions League.

However Italy are favourites for a fifth spot in Europe's top club competition, which means Napoli still have an outside chance of salvaging something from a largely disastrous season.

Roma currently sit in fifth, six points in front of Napoli ahead of their trip to Lecce on Easter Monday, and are one of three direct rivals for the Champions League yet to visit the Stadio Diego Maradona.

Sixth-placed Atalanta are the first of that trio with Bologna heading south in mid-May as the season draws towards its climax.

Atalanta are two points ahead of Napoli and have a game in hand on the rest of the Champions League challengers after their last match was postponed due to Fiorentina's general manager Giuseppe "Joe" Barone being taken ill.

Barone subsequently died, leaving Fiorentina stunned and both clubs wondering when they can fulfil their unplayed fixture.

Italian Cup and European commitments have jammed up the two team's respective schedules with less than two months of the season to go.

Calzona may have to do without star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who exited Georgia's historic Euro 2024 play-off triumph in extra-time, while in-form Belgium forward Charles De Ketelaere is also a doubt for Atalanta.

However Victor Osimhen will be back up front for Napoli after missing the 1-1 draw at Inter with a hamstring problem.

Meanwhile Acerbi is set to start Inter's home clash with relegation-threatened Empoli on Easter Monday after being spared a minimum 10-match ban as the FIGC tribunal found insufficient proof of racist abuse.

Inter need 14 more points to guarantee their 20th league title and, with their closest rivals AC Milan at Fiorentina on Saturday night, Monday could be a chance to take another step towards glory.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Juan Jesus

Jesus is set to start against Atalanta in a match which kicks off the Easter action in Italy and he will inevitably be the focus of attention after a messy two weeks away from domestic football.

The 32-year-old has claimed a spot in the centre of Napoli's defence ahead of countryman Natan who was supposed to take the place of Kim Min-jae in the summer but failed to plug the gap left by the South Korean's departure for Bayern Munich.

He impressed at Inter, where he earned Napoli a point, and handled himself creditably during the racism controversy when he had initially wanted to leave the incident on the San Siro pitch.

KEY STATS

14 - Inter's huge lead at the top of Serie A with nine games remaining.

6 - The points gap separating Napoli and Roma.

FIXTURES (times CAT)

Saturday

Napoli v Atalanta (1:30pm), Genoa v Frosinone, Torino v Monza (both 4pm), Lazio v Juventus (7pm), Fiorentina v AC Milan (9:45pm)

Monday

Bologna v Salernitana (12:30pm), Cagliari v Verona, Sassuolo v Udinese (3pm), Lecce v Roma (6pm), Inter Milan v Empoli (8:45pm)

With two wins out of two against top-class opposition, Euro 2024 hosts Germany look to have found the right balance under coach Julian Nagelsmann with the tournament on the horizon.

Having failed to make it past the last 16 of a major tournament since 2016, successive wins in the space of four days over France and the Netherlands have propelled Germany back into contention.

Nagelsmann reshuffled his squad ahead of the March friendlies, leaving out big names Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Emre Can and Mats Hummels.

Instead, he selected a mix of young talents and unheralded debutants, alongside a few experienced heads.

Days after a dominant 2-0 win over France in Lyon, Germany came from a goal down inside four minutes to beat the Dutch 2-1.

Other than securing two wins in a row for the first time since 2021, Germany demonstrated the cohesion, impetus and desire which had been sorely lacking.

'A GOOD MIX'

Nagelsmann said as much after beating the Dutch, telling reporters the three-time European champions had "found a good mix" less than three months out from the first match against Scotland in Munich on 14 June.

"The spirit in the team is good. Everyone has their role, even those who did not play, when they returned they contributed," the 36-year-old manager said.

Unlike recent Germany squads which leant heavily on players from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, Nagelsmann chose form over reputation in his 26-man squad.

Only two Bayern players made the starting XI on Tuesday, while just one from Dortmund was in the squad.

Instead, Nagelsmann chose in-form players from Xabi Alonso's league leaders Bayer Leverkusen and surprise package Stuttgart, who sit in third place having narrowly avoided relegation last campaign.

Both games confirmed Nagelsmann made the right call, with strong performances coming across the squad's spectrum of age and experience.

In addition to the masterful return of veteran midfielder Toni Kroos, Saturday's win over France was fuelled by Germany's youthful forward line of Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala – who have a collective age of just 65.

On Tuesday, with the scores locked at 1-1 and just over 15 minutes remaining, Nagelsmann took off Havertz and Wirtz, turning to veterans Thomas Mueller and Niclas Fuellkrug – who boast the same collective age.

Fuellkrug linked well with Musiala before heading in the winner from a Kroos corner.

As a result, Nagelsmann seems to have settled on his squad for the summer's tournament, ruling out "big changes."

"The door is open for everyone.

"We won't trade in five or ten new players in the summer, that's for sure. Maybe one or two if someone gets injured."

'GREAT FOOTBALL NATION'

Mueller, one of three 2014 World Cup winners in the squad, welcomed the results but was most impressed by the "style and manner" of the performances.

"We want to build on it. Against France we were more dynamic, today we dug in as both teams defended deeper.

"What was really nice was that we confirmed that we can actually react the potential that this great football nation has."

Musiala, who was just 11 when Mueller won the World Cup in Brazil, said Germany were finally having fun again.

"Everyone had fun. You can feel it, from day to day, the vibes are really good."

Speaking like an elder statesman, Musiala said: "It takes time to get past the ups and downs.

"I don't want to say we're out of the woods yet. We need to stay in our flow, stay healthy and show our best – and maybe we'll have something to show for it in the end."

Ukraine came from behind to beat Iceland in a playoff to qualify for Euro 2024 on Tuesday, while Poland secured their place at the finals with a penalty shootout victory over Wales and Georgia qualified for a first-ever major tournament.

Ready for EURO 2024! 🤩#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/Fb7WEdgJff

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 26, 2024

The Ukrainians were aiming to qualify for a first tournament since the Russian invasion of the country two years ago, and they did so by coming from behind to defeat Iceland 2-1 in a game played in the Polish city of Wroclaw.

Albert Gudmundsson silenced the crowd in a city with a large Ukrainian refugee population as he fired Iceland into the lead on the half-hour mark.

Iceland, with a population under 400 000, were hoping to return to the finals of a competition in which they reached the quarterfinals in 2016.

However, Euro 2020 quarterfinalists Ukraine equalised nine minutes after halftime thanks to a superbly taken goal by Viktor Tsygankov of Spanish side Girona.

Extra time was looming when Ukraine grabbed the winner with six minutes left as Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk swept home a first-time shot from the edge of the area.

Ukraine are heading to #EURO2024! 🇺🇦✅ pic.twitter.com/qKyGGpfFDO

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 26, 2024

"Thank you, guys! Thank you, team! For significant emotions for the entire country. For the important victory and making it to EURO. For proving once again: whenever Ukrainians face difficulties but do not give up and continue to fight, Ukrainians certainly win," Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, wrote on X.

Thank you, guys!
Thank you, team!
For significant emotions for the entire country.
For the important victory and making it to EURO.
For proving once again: whenever Ukrainians face difficulties but do not give up and continue to fight, Ukrainians certainly win.
In times, when… pic.twitter.com/THdnOw8k0B

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 26, 2024

Having narrowly missed out to Italy in their qualifying group and being forced into the playoffs, Ukraine can now look forward to the European Championship which begins in Germany on 14 June.

They will go into group E alongside Belgium, Slovakia and Romania and will have ambitions of progressing to the last 16.

AGONY FOR WALES AND GREECE

Poland go into a difficult group D at the Euro along with France, the Netherlands and Austria after getting the better of Wales in a tense shootout at the end of their playoff final in Cardiff.

The match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes and there were no goals either in extra time, which ended with Wales having Chris Mepham sent off for a second booking.

A high-quality shootout, which began with Robert Lewandowski converting Poland's first kick, saw nine successful penalties before Daniel James had his effort saved and Wales lost 5-4.

Poland qualify for #EURO2024 on penalties 🇵🇱👊 pic.twitter.com/xRIpVfQQZe

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 26, 2024

There will be no third consecutive European Championship for the Welsh team, who were semifinalists in 2016, but Poland will be present at a fifth continental finals in a row.

"It's a cruel game, that's what I've said to the players, one kick away from qualifying. It hurts," Wales manager Rob Page told broadcaster S4C.

Earlier, Georgia made history by qualifying for a major international tournament for the first time since the country in the Caucasus of 3.7 million people gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

They beat Greece 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw at the end of extra time in Tbilisi, sparking a pitch invasion from delighted fans at the Boris Paichadze Stadium.

A dramatic play-off final win for Georgia! 🇬🇪#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/7jPjer9NRF

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 26, 2024

Nika Kvekveskiri stroked in the decisive penalty for Georgia after Tasos Bakasetas and Giorgos Giakoumakis both failed to score from the spot for Greece.

Surprise European champions in 2004, Greece's defeat means their wait to qualify for a first major tournament since the 2014 World Cup goes on.

Ranked 77th in the world, a Georgia team coached by former France full-back Willy Sagnol will join Turkey, Portugal and the Czech Republic in group F at the European Championship.

"I would pay to feel what I feel today," said Sagnol after the game, speaking in English.

They had never come close to qualifying before, until losing in a playoff at the same stage for the last Euro, going down 1-0 at home to North Macedonia in 2020.

Poland, Ukraine and Georgia qualify for #EURO2024 through the play-offs ✅ pic.twitter.com/sZ6gMjZraO

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 26, 2024

Wales boss Rob Page said missing out on Euro 2024 was "cruel" on his players after Poland edged a penalty shootout 5-4 to qualify in Cardiff on Tuesday.

After the sides could not be separated in a tense 0-0 draw, Leeds winger Dan James was the only player to fail to score in the shootout.

Poland's five perfect spot-kicks earned them a place alongside France, the Netherlands and Austria in a tough Group D at Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.

Wales' new generation, shorn of the talismanic presence of the retired Gareth Bale, came up short by the finest of margins in heartbreaking fashion for the home fans and their manager at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Poland book their place at #EURO2024 🇵🇱💪 pic.twitter.com/kAvr70AYCC

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 26, 2024

"It's a cruel game, that's what I've said to the players, one kick away from qualifying. It hurts," said Page.

"We'll be bigger and stronger for having gone through this horrible experience. This group is going somewhere. There is a lot more to come, there are good times ahead."

Despite possessing the threat of Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski up front, Poland failed to register a single shot on target in the 120 minutes.

However, the visitors found their range from the spot as Lewandowski, Sebastian Szymanski, Przemyslaw Frankowski, Nicola Zalewski and Krzysztof Piatek confidently fired home.

James had to score to keep his country in it, but Wojciech Szczesny dived low to his right to send Poland to a fifth consecutive Euros.

Only once before have they managed to get out of the group stages of the European Championship, reaching the quarterfinals in 2016.

WALES LACK CREATIVE SPARK

Both sides were in free-scoring form in the playoff semifinals on Thursday as Wales brushed aside Finland 4-1, while Poland trashed Estonia 5-1.

However, it was a far tighter and more tense affair with qualification on the line.

Page shuffled his forward options as despite scoring against the Finns, David Brooks dropped to the bench to make way for Kieffer Moore.

Moore's physical presence has been a vital weapon in Wales' arsenal since Page took charge four years ago and provided a bigger threat than Lewandowski at the other end.

At the end of a first half short on goalmouth action, the hosts thought they had taken the lead in stoppage time.

Ben Davies headed in from Moore's knockdown but the Tottenham defender had strayed centimetres offside.

Szczesny denied Moore the opener just two minutes into the second period with a spectacular save to prevent the on-loan Ipswich striker's header looping into the top corner.

Poland's away form had already cost them automatic qualification after defeats on the road to Albania, the Czech Republic and Moldova.

Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward has not played a minute of club football for Leicester this season, yet he was not tested before the shootout.

The home side finished the 90 minutes in the ascendency but lacked the creative spark to make the breakthrough that was so often provided over the past decade by Bale or the injury-plagued Aaron Ramsey, who was an unused substitute.

The tables were turned in Wales' first ever period of extra-time in international football as Page's exhausted men clung on for penalties.

Jakub Piotrowski came closest to winning the game for the Poles as his effort from the edge of the box flew inches past the far post.

Wales saw out the final few seconds with 10 men as Chris Mepham was shown a second yellow card.

But their first experience of penalties was a sour one despite Davies, Moore, Harry Wilson and Neco Williams scoring their first four efforts.

Ukraine qualified for Euro 2024 on Tuesday by beating Iceland 2-1, delivering an emotional boost to a country ravaged by war since the Russian invasion of February 2022.

Tsygankov equaliser for Ukraine 🇺🇦#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/9OXWU9CS2x

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 26, 2024

Second-half strikes from Viktor Tsygankov and Mykhailo Mudryk turned around the game for Serhiy Rebrov's side, who trailed at the break following Albert Gudmundsson's opener.

"Thank you, guys! Thank you, team! For significant emotions for the entire country. For the important victory and making it to EURO. For proving once again: whenever Ukrainians face difficulties but do not give up and continue to fight, Ukrainians certainly win," Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X.

"In times, when the enemy tries to destroy us, we demonstrate every day that Ukrainians are and will be. Ukraine is, and will be! Thank you for the victory! Glory to Ukraine!"

The hosts Ukraine, playing in the Polish city of Wroclaw due to the ongoing conflict, began the brighter of the two sides and dominated possession in the opening 10 minutes.

Ukraine are heading to #EURO2024! 🇺🇦✅ pic.twitter.com/qKyGGpfFDO

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) March 26, 2024

However, it was Iceland who nearly broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when a great run by Hakon Arnar Haraldsson gave Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson the chance to test Andriy Lunin in the Ukraine goal.

Rebrov's men responded instantly at the other end but Vitaliy Mykolenko shanked his left-footed strike when in a good position inside the box.

Gudmundsson made the breakthrough on the half-hour mark with a sublime solo effort for his 10th goal in an Iceland shirt.

The 26-year-old slalomed away from two Ukrainian defenders before feeding a perfectly placed curling effort with his left foot beyond the reach of Lunin from 25 yards.

Six minutes later, 21-year-old Ukrainian playmaker Georgiy Sudakov stung the palms of Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson at the near post following a poor defensive clearance by Iceland.

The hosts then thought they were back on terms in the 39th minute when Roman Yaremchuk tucked home Tsygankov's cross.

But after wild celebrations from the Ukraine fans, the goal was chalked off after VAR adjudged Tsygankov to have previously been offside from Sudakov's clipped pass.

Ukraine were firmly on top for the remainder of the first half as play began to become more physical, with Ruslan Malinovskyi picking up a yellow card for an elbow on Haraldsson immediately after the decision to disallow Ukraine's equaliser.

Tsygankov made amends for his earlier offside when he powered Ukraine level nine minutes into the second half.

Sudakov was again at the heart of things and his pinpoint crossfield ball found the winger, who drove in from the right flank and beat Valdimarsson with a left-footed strike inside the far post.

With just under 20 minutes to play, Ukraine nearly completed the turnaround, but Mykolenko again failed to make the most of a good position in the box and poked his finish wide of the post.

Real Madrid stopper Lunin produced a superb save to deny Thorsteinsson from close range on 77 minutes, before Gudmundsson dragged wide one minute later when in a dangerous position.

Iceland looked to be the more likely to score until Mudryk found space 18 yards out and swept Sudakov's lay-off into the far corner of the goal with just six minutes remaining on the clock.

Ukraine will head to the European Championship in Germany this summer, where they will take on Belgium, Slovakia and Romania in Group E.

Germany have regained their self-confidence after a 2-0 win against France last week three months before hosting Euro 2024, World Cup winner Philipp Lahm told AFP in an interview.

Lahm, who is tournament director for Euro 2024, said the promising performance brought back "euphoria in our country" because the "German national team played football well and played football passionately".

In Qatar in 2022, Germany reached a new low when they were eliminated at the group stage of a World Cup for the second time in a row.

Hansi Flick became the first Germany coach in history to be sacked and was replaced by Julian Nagelsmann in September.

In Lyon on Saturday, Nagelsmann appeared to be finally moulding a new, young team, less than three months from the opening match of the tournament against Scotland on 14 June.

"(Germany) performed completely differently" against France, Lahm said of the victory that came thanks to a first international goal from Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz and a Kai Havertz strike.

"We had an established midfield and of course very, very young, dynamic, attacking players. And of course that brings self-confidence.

"But we can only know for sure over a longer period of time."

France ✅

Next 🆙 @OnsOranje 🇩🇪🇳🇱#DFBTeam #GERNED pic.twitter.com/DNcI3RAFfu

— germanfootball_dfb (@DFB_Team_EN) March 26, 2024

'PIECES OF THE PUZZLE'

Lahm played every minute in Germany's run to the semifinals as hosts of the 2006 World Cup before captaining the side to victory in Brazil eight years later.

As captain of the last world-beating German team, Lahm understands how complex the process of developing a top team can be – and that talent may not be enough.

"Super-talented players like Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz are still relatively young, but have a lot of experience," he said.

"They certainly have the talent to raise the German national team to another level, but it's important everything fits together, that the pieces of the puzzle fit together – and that was certainly the case in 2014.

"Everyone identified with their role and made their skills available to the team."

Saturday's victory against France even overshadowed the controversy surrounding the DFB's decision to ditch long-time kit maker Adidas in favour of Nike, ending a 70-year collaboration with the German sports brand.

"I made 113 international appearances for Germany in Adidas, I played at Bayern Munich in Adidas, I only know the national team in Adidas," Lahm said.

"When I watched Germany play on TV as a child, it was in Adidas."

Lahm admitted the move was "a change for us in Germany", but said: "There must have been serious reasons to change."

Despite the hope fuelled by Germany's defeat of France on Saturday, Lahm still named the French – spearheaded by Kylian Mbappe – as tournament favourites.

"They have 40 players who are very, very talented. They have a balanced squad," he said.

"They can always bring players off the bench who would normally be good enough to play from the start.

"But the important thing is that you have a team on the field."

While predicting a "big football nation" will win, Lahm said he hoped "perhaps there will be a surprise, that a smaller nation will go far in the tournament and will celebrate together with their fans."

"But as for winning the title? I'm pretty sure it will be a football nation and one of the favourites, one who has won in the past few years."

'TOURNAMENT IN CHALLENGING TIMES'

The Euro 2024 hosts hope to channel the spirit of the 2006 World Cup which still holds a defining place in the collective German consciousness.

Known as the "summer fairytale", it was the moment where a unified and modern Germany showcased itself on the world stage.

Just 18 years ago, the tournament seems from a different time, with this year's event held in a time of global conflicts and uncertainty.

Late in 2023, Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) warned the danger of a terror attack was "higher than it has been for a long time".

The attack on a concert in Moscow on Friday by militants linked to the Islamic State group which killed 137 people has prompted new security fears in Germany. Neighbouring France has already raised its security alert to its highest level.

Lahm acknowledged the challenges, but said he hoped the tournament could play a unifying role as the World Cup had done in 2006.

"Safety is the highest priority, right from the start until the end of the tournament," Lahm said.

"It's a tournament in challenging times, but I still believe it's important that we keep coming together.

"In Europe, we always come together to strengthen ourselves, to strengthen our democracy.

"Everyone is warmly welcomed to Germany, especially at this time, when there are many challenges all over the world. (It is important) that people can come together again and celebrate together again."

Wales, Poland, Ukraine and Iceland are seeking a return to the highest European stage at Uefa EURO 2024 while Georgia can achieve a historic first if they overcome 2004 winners Greece.

EURO 2024 play-off finals
Path A: Wales v Poland (21:45)
Path B: Ukraine v Iceland (21:45)
Path C: Georgia v Greece (19:00)
All games will be played on Tuesday 26 March. All times CAT, live on SuperSport.

Wales are looking for a change of fortune as they take on Poland in Cardiff, Ukraine must overcome Iceland to make it to Uefa EURO 2024, while Georgia are dreaming of a first-ever major final tournament as they welcome former champions Greece.

A: Wales v Poland

Since beating Poland 2-0 in their first encounter, at Cardiff City's former home Ninian Park in 1973, Wales have not won a game against their play-off final opponents (D2 L7), but after a rousing 4-1 victory against Finland, manager Rob Page is buzzing, saying: "Bring on Tuesday," he said.

Captain Ben Davies acknowledges that Poland will be "a tough game" but hopes home advantage will count for something: "We've played against some good teams here and got some good results, and we have to use that experience."

Robert Lewandowski was not concerned that he was not among the scorers in Poland's 5-1 play-off semifinal win against ten-man Estonia, and felt home advantage may be overstated. "Wales are at home and they will be under big pressure," he said. "There is a last step to be made and I believe we can do it."

Key stat: Lewandowski has an extra reason to want to reach the finals; on 147 international appearances, he will potentially hit the 150 mark if he goes to Germany.

B: Ukraine v Iceland

Both of Ukraine's previous home games against Iceland ended 1-1, but as the sides prepare to meet again in Wroclaw, Poland, victory is the target for both sides.

Roman Yaremchuk scored one goal and set up another for Artem Dovbyk as Ukraine squeezed past Bosnia and Herzegovina in the semifinals, some personnel changes making the difference according to coach Serhiy Rebrov: "We introduced another striker and that was a good move. This game showed the character of our players and our nation."

Iceland had a comfortable passage to the final despite falling behind in their eventual 4-1 defeat of Israel. Genoa forward Albert Gudmundsson hit a hat-trick to the delight of his coach Åge Hareide, who said: "We were lacking goals earlier in qualification; now we have Albert Gudmundsson back, and he showed that he's a class player." Ukraine are tough customers, but the Norwegian coach is hopeful, adding: "We have a hard-working side, and a skilful side."

Key stat: Ukraine they have reached the World Cup or EURO play-off finals seven times but only won once, against Slovenia to reach EURO 2016.

C: Georgia v Greece

Georgia's fans roared them to the final as Budu Zivzivadze struck twice in their semifinal win against Luxembourg, but Greece may represent an even tougher task for Willy Sagnol's side.

Passionate support in Tbilisi will doubtless encourage Georgia, but the French coach knows they must play better to make it to their first-ever EURO: "We have to improve the quality of our play, because [Greece] will come to Tbilisi with a high motivation and confidence."

Greece secured the biggest win of the play-off semifinals – 5-0 against Kazakhstan – but coach Gustavo Poyet knows he needs to work on his team's mindset. "I know the mentality of Greek people – sometimes they are too down, sometimes they are too high. We need to control the emotions." EURO 2024 is a tournament full of significance for Greece, 20 years on from their landmark triumph at the 2004 finals.

Key stat: Georgia have yet to win in nine senior encounters with Greece: D2 L7.

EURO 2024 group stage line-up

Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England
Group D: Play-off winner A, Netherlands, Austria, France
Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Play-off winner
Group F: Türkiye, Play-off winner C, Portugal, Czechia

Defender Connor Roberts is hoping his lucky moustache can help Wales win their Euro 2024 playoff against Poland and seal a spot at this year's European Championship in Germany.

Wales, who beat Finland 4-1 in the Path A semifinal, will be looking to qualify for their third successive Euros when they face Poland in Cardiff on Tuesday.

Roberts, who has enjoyed unbeaten runs at Burnley and Leeds United in the Championship while sporting the moustache, played the full 90 minutes against Finland.

"It's just a little bit of a joke to be honest," Roberts told reporters when asked about his facial hair.

"My wife last year, she was like 'Why don't you grow it?' so I did and then we went on an unbeaten run at Burnley. I've done the same thing this year and keep asking her if I should shave it off but she likes it so I'm leaving it there.

"I think it has played about 25 Championship games and never lost, so I hope that continues in the Championship and maybe it gives us a bit of luck on Tuesday. It's the power of the tache, isn't it?"

Chelsea's Connor Gallagher is hoping his experience of playing a leading role at Chelsea this season could pave the way for a spot in England's squad for this year's European Championship in Germany.

Gallagher has been named in every England squad since the 2022 World Cup, where he was an unused substitute, having made five appearances in Euro qualifying games.

The 24-year-old, who has been with Chelsea since the age of six, has captained the Premier League club on several occasions this season while Reece James and Ben Chilwell were sidelined by injury.

Gallagher has been one of the few dependable players for Chelsea in a season where Mauricio Pochettino's squad has struggled for consistency, having made 38 appearances across all competitions.

"I've had to step up and be more of a leader this season at Chelsea which I've really enjoyed and I think that's helped me develop more as a player as well," Gallagher told reporters after England's 1-0 defeat to Brazil in an international friendly on Saturday.

His 90th-minute winner against Leeds United last month helped Chelsea advance to the FA Cup quarterfinals, where they beat Leicester City to set up a semifinal clash against Manchester City.

"The experience I've had in the two cup competitions with Chelsea and getting as far as we have done will definitely help being in those positions," he said.

"It is what (England manager) Gareth (Southgate) and the others are looking at. I'll continue to work my hardest for Chelsea and give myself the best opportunity to be in (the Euros) squad."

 

Israel's footballers are aiming to make history by reaching the European Championship for the first time amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with the final three places at Euro 2024 up for grabs over the next week.

Twelve teams still have dreams of reaching Germany later this year with three sets of four nations to face off in Thursday's semifinals and the winners progressing to a final on March 26.

Israel became a member of Europe's governing body Uefa 20 years ago, but are yet to reach the continent's major international competition.

The war between Israel and Hamas has forced Alon Hazan's men to try and finish the job on the road with no international matches going ahead in Israel for the forseeable future due to security concerns.

Thursday's semifinal against Iceland will be played in Hungary's capital Budapest, with the winners facing Bosnia and Herzegovina or Ukraine away in the final.

But for the conflict, Israel may have qualified automatically as they were in a strong position prior to the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

On their return to action in November they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Kosovo and then failed to win either of crucial qualifiers against Romania and Switzerland, which should have been at home but were instead moved to Hungary.

"(It) is more important for us that we can be proud of our country and give some happiness to change the atmosphere," Hasan told Sky.

"This is more important than being part of the tournament."

Israel have faced calls to be banned from international football from a group of Middle Eastern football associations, including 2034 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia.

And Uefa will be braced for protests and extra security measures should they reach the finals.

Israel are favoured to get past Iceland, but could face a much sterner test in another nation determined to give their war-torn people cause to cheer in Ukraine.

After narrowly missing out on the 2022 World Cup, a squad containing the likes of Real Madrid's Andriy Lunin, captain Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal and Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk are desperate to make amends.

Whoever progresses from the League B playoff will face Belgium, Romania and Slovakia in Euro 2024 Group E.

- Lewandowski in Wales' way -

In the League A playoff, Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski is looking to lead Poland to a fifth consecutive Euros.

They host Estonia in the semifinals with the winners travelling to either Wales or Finland, who face off in the semifinals in Cardiff.

Wales boss Rob Page is relying on home advantage after losing his generational talent Gareth Bale to retirement since the 2022 World Cup.

Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is also an injury doubt, but Wales have only lost once in their last 14 qualifiers for the Euros in Cardiff.

Qualification could be a poisoned chalice though with France, the Netherlands and Austria awaiting the winners in Group D of the Euros.

In the League C playoff, 2004 winners Greece are the favourites to reach their first major tournament in a decade.

They face a Kazakhstan side that shocked Denmark and Finland in qualifying to narrowly miss out on automatic progression to Germany.

A Georgia team featuring Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Luxembourg are also aiming to get to their first ever major tournament.

The chance to face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal awaits the winners, alongside Turkey and the Czech Republic in Euro 2024 Group F.

Fixtures (19:45 GMT unless stated)

Thursday

League A playoff

Poland v Estonia

Wales v Finland

League B playoff

Bosnia and Herzegovina v Ukraine

Israel v Iceland

League C playoff

Georgia v Luxembourg (1700)

Greece v Kazakhstan

England manager Gareth Southgate said he was confident his side could handle the expectations that come with being one of the favourites to win Euro 2024 after they were given a kind draw on Saturday for the finals.

They were drawn to play Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia in group C at the tournament next June, where they will be bidding to finally claim a first major title since the 1966 World Cup.

Third in the latest Fifa world rankings, England are currently seen as the leading contenders to win the Euro along with France, the team that edged them out of last year's World Cup in the quarterfinals.

"We are third in the world rankings this week. We have been in the top five for five years, so consistently they have produced performances, so I think they are used to that," Southgate said of his team, who topped their Euro 2024 qualifying group ahead of Italy without losing a game.

"They have that expectation. They are used to playing in big matches together and individually, so we are excited and all looking forward to the tournament."

Under Southgate, England reached the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup and lost the final of Euro 2020 on penalties to Italy, before their 2-1 defeat by France in the last eight in Qatar a year ago.

That match was on a knife-edge and could have ended differently had Harry Kane not missed a late penalty.

However, there is confidence that England might now be better equipped to go all the way in Germany next June and July given the current form of Kane at Bayern Munich and Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid in particular.

'FABULOUS' KANE

"We are very happy to have those players. We feel that the squad has been building for a long period of time and that England were going to be competitive for the foreseeable future," Southgate said.

"If you are continually in those latter stages, then most teams that win, that is what they do, they go close and they get there."

Kane has scored 22 goals in 18 games in all competitions for Bayern since his move to Germany from Tottenham Hotspur.

"He is a fabulous player," Southgate added.

"The games are a little bit different at the moment at Bayern, because they dominate their games so much.

"He is a very special player, so again he has won so many games for us, not just with his goals which is the obvious factor, but with his link play, his passing ability, the way he leads the line, so we are very fortunate to have him."

England will begin their Euro bid against Serbia, ranked 34th in the world, in the western city of Gelsenkirchen, home to Schalke 04, on 16 June.

They will follow that by going to Frankfurt to face Denmark on 20 June in a repeat of the Euro 2020 semifinal which England won 2-1 in extra time.

Their final group game will be in Cologne on 25 June against Slovenia, who England defeated 1-0 at the 2010 World Cup.

"When Denmark came out first you are thinking ok, interesting," Southgate said when it was put to him that England had received a favourable draw.

"Of course, everybody was thinking about Italy in one of the lower pots, and Croatia, but I have to say I think Serbia are a very dangerous opponent.

"And Slovenia takes me back to one of my first games as manager really, where but for Joe Hart making one of the best saves I have ever seen, I probably wouldn't be standing here," he added in reference to a 0-0 draw in Ljubljana in a World Cup qualifier in October 2016.

If England top their group, they will play a third-placed team in the last 16 in Gelsenkirchen on 30 June.

However, if they finish second they will face the winners of group A, which contains hosts Germany and also Scotland, in Dortmund.

Struggling hosts Germany welcomed the outcome of Saturday's Euro 2024 draw, coach Julian Nagelsmann saying "It's not a group of death, but a very good one" after his side were placed with Switzerland, Scotland and Hungary.

The Germans will open the tournament against Scotland in Munich on 14 June, before facing 1954 World Cup final opponents Hungary in Stuttgart on 19 June.

Germany will play their final group A match against Switzerland in Frankfurt on 23 June, with the two neighbouring countries never having faced each other at the Euro.

Three-time European champions Germany have come into the tournament in poor form.

Qualified as hosts, Germany have won just three of 11 matches since a second successive World Cup group stage exit last year in Qatar.

In September, Hansi Flick became the first national coach in Germany history to be fired, replaced by Nagelsmann, who has won just one of four games in charge.

Sporting director Rudi Voeller, instrumental in the decision to replace Flick, recognised Germany needed to improve but was "optimistic" his side could produce the goods on home soil.

"We certainly still have problems, but I am firmly convinced Julian Nagelsmann will solve them," Voeller said in Hamburg after the draw was completed.

"If we work on a few things in the coming months, I am optimistic that we will play a good European Championship."

"That first game always has a special type of pressure," added the 1990 World Cup winner.

Nagelsmann called the group "an interesting one in which we want to prevail".

"It will be a very nice start against Scotland... the other games will be exciting duels.

"I have coached a few players from Hungary, I know what they can do. Hungary plays very interesting football. Against Switzerland it will be a little derby against a direct neighbour."

HOME ADVANTAGE

Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack, who scored 42 goals in 98 games for Germany, agreed with Nagelsmann.

"It's not a group of death. We're the favourites with home advantage.

"Scotland is our first opponent and we know exactly what to expect. The two other games will be more difficult in my opinion."

Scotland manager Steve Clarke said the group was "evenly balanced" and "will be competitive", while warning Germany "will have to be ready for a lot of Scotsmen to come".

Key quotes after the draw for Euro 2024 was made on Saturday in Hamburg:

"It'll be nice to open the tournament, be involved in that first game, and hopefully we can set the tournament off with a good match. For us we've got to make sure it is not about the occasion, it's about the match. We look forward to it, it's an exciting draw."

Scotland manager Steve Clarke, whose side will play hosts Germany in the opening game of the tournament in Munich on 14 June:

"A very interesting group... It will be a very nice start against Scotland in Munich. The other games will also be exciting duels. It's not a group of death, but a very good one. I have coached a few players from Hungary, I know what they can do. Hungary plays very interesting football. Against Switzerland it will be a little derby against a direct neighbour."

GERMANY COACH JULIAN NAGELSMANN

“We're hugely excited to be part of the tournament, we know the expectation at home. We've developed a lot as a team over the past few years, we're used to these big games, we're ready for the expectation and we hope we can give our supporters some more brilliant nights as I think we have in the last few tournaments."

ENGLAND MANAGER GARETH SOUTHGATE

Reigning champions Italy were placed in the same group as Spain in Saturday's draw for Euro 2024, while France will come up against the Netherlands.

Much-fancied England will meet Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia, with hosts Germany taking on Scotland in the tournament's opening game on June 14 in Munich.

Italy, who beat England on penalties at Wembley in the final of the last European Championship in 2021, and Spain will also face Croatia and Albania in Group B.

Spain, victors over Italy in the final of Euro 2012, will take on 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia in their opening match in Berlin on June 15.

The meeting of France, the 2022 World Cup runners-up, and the Netherlands will be the other heavyweight tie of the opening phase.

They were in the same section in qualifying, with France winning both encounters. The two nations are in Group D along with Austria and a play-off winner, which will be one of Poland, Wales, Finland or Estonia.

England, in contrast, will have few complaints about their opponents in Group C, although a Denmark side ranked 19th in the world were arguably the team to avoid from the second pot of seeds.

All set for EURO 2024! 🤩#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/QXnMaOBeBZ

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) December 2, 2023

Gareth Southgate's team, considered the favourites along with France for the tournament, will take on Serbia in their opening game in Gelsenkirchen on June 16.

Scotland, who famously lost to Brazil in the opening match of the 1998 World Cup, will again have the honour of featuring in the tournament's curtain-raiser when they meet Germany to start in Group A.

Hungary and Switzerland complete that section, which could be one of the most evenly-matched.

Euro 2016 winners Portugal were drawn in Group F with Turkey, the Czech Republic and a play-off winner from either Greece, Georgia, Luxembourg or Kazakhstan.

Belgium are in Group E alongside Slovakia, Romania and the winner of the other play-off path, which will be Israel, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Ukraine.

The month-long Euro will conclude with the final in Berlin on July 14.

The top two teams in each group will qualify for the last 16, along with the four best third-placed sides.

Hosts Germany will face Scotland in the opening match of Euro 2024 in Munich following the draw on Saturday, while defending Champions Italy have been drawn in the same group as Spain.

The Germans, three-time winners, will kick off the one-month tournament in Munich on 14 June, with the final on 14 July in Berlin's Olympic stadium.

The draw was held at the Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg, one of the 10 host cities of the tournament.

Germany will also face Hungary and Switzerland in group A.

Italy face a tough task in defending their title, drawn in group B where they will face Spain, Croatia and Albania.

France and the Netherlands will face each other again after coming through the qualifying campaign in the same group, drawn in group D alongside Austria and the winner of playoff A.

England, beaten finalists in Euro 2020, are in group C alongside Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia.

Group E sees Belgium take on Romania, Slovakia and the winners of playoff B, while group F features Portugal, Turkey, the Czech Republic and the playoff C winners.

The hosts qualified automatically and 20 teams advanced through the European qualifiers. Three teams are still unknown and will come through the playoffs in March.

The top two in each of the six Euro 2024 groups proceed to the round of 16 along with the four best third-placed finishers.

Switzerland's Murat Yakin will remain as manager for next year's European Championship, the Swiss FA said on Tuesday, despite the country's difficult qualifying campaign.

Appointed in 2021, Yakin helped Switzerland reach the 2022 World Cup and the next Euros but has faced criticism over performances. He remains under contract until mid-2024.

"Even though we had four draws and lost once in the last qualifying matches, Murat Yakin has all our confidence," Swiss FA President Dominique Blanc said in a statement.

"He has our backing in all aspects in order to take part in the Euro in Germany with the best team and staff possible."

Switzerland last week qualified for Euro 2024 by finishing second to Romania in Group I with 17 points, two clear of third-placed Israel.

The Swiss won four matches, drew five and lost one, scoring 22 goals and conceding 11.

Switzerland reached the knockout stage in four of their last five World Cups -- in 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022 -- but went out at the group stage in 2010.

Under Yakin, the Swiss were thrashed 6-1 by Portugal in the round of 16 at last year's World Cup.

Euro 2024 will take place from 14 June to 14 July across 10 German cities.

The draw for the tournament will be held in Hamburg on Saturday.