The draw for the second edition of the League of Nations on Tuesday March 3 offered a reunion between France and Portugal, decidedly inseparable, as well as a shock between Belgium and England.
Luis Figo did not have a helping hand for his country, holding the title. The former playmaster offered the Blues to Seleçao, who will get to know them very well.
#NationsLeague | Full print
L @ @ equipedefrance facing Croatia, Sweden and ... Portugal!
💕 Most beautiful matches ...
D1: 3–5 / 9/20
D2: 6–8 / 9/20
D3: 8–10 / 10/20
D4: 11–13 / 10/020
J5: 12–14 / 11/20
D6: 15–17 / 11/20
Final phase: 2-6 / 6/21
Relegation Dams: 24-29 / 3/22 pic.twitter.com/sbstqD4QBn
The selection of Fernando Santos must face during Euro-2020 that of Didier Deschamps in a "remake" eagerly awaited for the final of the 2016 edition which had crowned the Portuguese in Saint-Denis.
But group 3 of League A will offer another prestigious meeting: France-Croatia, the poster for the 2018 World Cup final that had smiled on Paul Pogba's teammates.
"It's not revenge because it's a different competition. But it's still a tough match," said Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic of L'Équipe.
Sweden completes this very strong cast, with assets in its sleeve. The Swedes notably won their last confrontation against France in June 2017 (2-1) during the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, in an evening marked by a memorable blunder from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
They too have accounts to settle: the British find in group 2 Belgium, which deprived them of the podium of the 2018 World Cup. Denmark and Iceland will try to play the spoilsport against the two favorites.
Attractive Netherlands - Italy
Germany, which appeared in the last pot of League A, was the opponent to avoid: it is Switzerland and Spain who will have to cross swords with the ambitious Mannschaft.
Last poster to report: Netherlands - Italy, an enticing duel between two selections which are rebuilt after having missed the Russian World Cup.
If this competition reserves beautiful posters, it has few stakes, apart from the honorary title of winner of the competition. This will be awarded in June 2021, at the end of a final phase of four.
Only a first group place will offer the Blues their ticket for this "Final Four", while in the event of a disappointing 4th place, it will be necessary to play in the second division, Ligue B, during the third edition (2022-2023).
Small precision that adds a little salt to the competition: in the event of a catastrophic course in qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, a "big" selection could, in case of good results in the League of Nations and depending on the performance of other nations, to be offered a second chance to see Qatar by being drafted and then transferred to the dams in the Europe zone.
With AFP
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