Euro Qualifiers: Kazakhstan and Slovenia close to big success, Poles shaky

Sunday’s Euro 2024 qualification programme offered an unusually high number of matches. There were four groups, what was on show in nine stadiums across Europe?

This time it was France in Group B, which the Dutch took advantage of, winning 2-1 in Ireland despite a quick penalty shootout. Greece shot with gusto at home against Gibraltar, beating them 5-0.

Nothing has changed in the table. France remain at the top with 15 points, the Dutch are six points worse off with a game to spare. Greece, the third team in this group fighting for direct promotion, is in the same position.

In the Czech E, Albania completed a great week by beating the Poles 2-0 at home. Moldova confirmed the rise of the national team and won 1: 0 in the Faroe Islands.

The Albanians move into first place in the group, while the Czechs are two points behind with a game to spare. The Moldovans are in the same position, while the Poles are already two points behind the Czechs due to the loss.

In Group G, Montenegro defeated the Bulgarians with a goal in the 96th minute to remain third with eight points, while the Serbs, with a 3-1 win in Lithuania, caught up with the Hungarians at the top of the table, but they have one match to play.

Finally, in Group H, the Slovenians beat San Marino 4-0, as expected. In the Scandinavian derby, the Danes beat the Finns 1:0, Kazakhstan beat the Northern Irish 1:0 on home soil.

The Danes and Slovenians are at the top of the balanced six-team table with 13 points, Finland and Kazakhstan have one point less. Northern Ireland and San Marino are of course out of the running for direct qualification to the tournament.

Source: UEFA