Which teams would you like to see at a euros in the next 10 years that haven’t made one or are struggling to do so (I will count teams that are in, or can reach, the playoffs)?
*I am surprised Norway haven’t made one since 2000 given they have the 2 best players in the PL at the moment. I’ve always wanted them to do so as they are a nation with lots of talent and high quality.
*I have Israeli roots - they are in the play offs but flopped an easy group, though with some players injured. I think it’s important that the current team they have, which includes players of Palestinian descent like Ramzi Safuri and Anan Khalili, and of Ethiopian descent like Eli Dasa, qualify, firstly to show the diversity of their society on those who seem to get false impressions because of the government and military policies, and to help inspire people from minority groups, and progressives, to vote for people who can advance peace rather than hatred in the future. I do fear that the war etc will only advance the latter even though it is their handling of homeland security that allowed this to happen. These vile people also caused Munas Dabbur to leave the national team. However, plenty of those put down by the meaner people in their society have stayed and played a key role - The results of their under 20 and under 21 teams show the potential is there, and football can be the best provider of progressive social change
*Armenia, a country with a dedicated diaspora and which I have a soft spot for due to football but also due to unrelated things like their Eurovision Song Contest acts from the ‘20’s.
*Bulgaria, who used to be so good, and who I had friends from
Luxembourg. They played so well during this qualifiers campaign,managed some convincing wins like 4-1 againt Bosnia and in general,they play as a team and have great players like Gerson Rodrigues,Leandro Barreiro Martins and Anthony Moris.
Both results against Portugal were rough,but it’s Portugal after all. With 17 points in 10 matches,this is our highest point tally in qualifiers ever I think.
The 1-0 loss against Slovakia hurt the most,as we played some fantastic football but weren’t clinical enough in front of Dubravka’s goal,and they ended up winning it in the end.
However we could still qualify for EURO’s,as we’ll play against Georgia and if we beat them,against the winner of the match between Greece and Bulgaria (don’t know if it’s Bulgaria or someone else) due to the Nations League standings.