By David Owen
September 10 – The race to become the unlikeliest ever qualifier for the European Championship finals is on, with Georgia, FYR Macedonia, Belarus and the Faroe Islands having established an early advantage.
These are the four current group leaders in League D of UEFA’s new Nations League, the section bracketing Europe’s footballing minnows.
These are the teams that historically have made up the cannon fodder in qualification groups to decide the countries that progress to major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and the Euros.
The rules of the Nations League – UEFA’s reaction to low-octane friendly internationals – ensure, however, that at least one League D team will grace Euro 2020.
This is because the top four ranked teams who do not qualify for the championship in their own right will enter a play-off in March 2020 with a place in the finals on offer.
Both Georgia and FYR Macedonia already look well-placed to reach this play-off, having each amassed six points from two Nations League matches.
The Faroe Islands pushed their noses in front with a 3-1 home win over Malta in their first match. Next up, however, is a tough trip on Monday to Kosovo, who drew their first fixture in Baku against Azerbaijan.
Belarus top their section after hammering San Marino 5-0 in the handsomely refurbished 22,000-capacity Dinamo Stadium (pictured), which was used as a venue for the Moscow 1980 Olympics.
But rivals Luxembourg almost matched them stride for stride, smashing four goals into the net of visitors Moldova without reply at Stade Josy Barthel.
The four League D group winners will also gain promotion to League C for the 2020 edition of the Nations League.
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