Prepare for the Nations League confrontations: Germany's squad faces off against the Netherlands, Hungary, and Bosnia.
On February 8, the teams for the upcoming Nations League season were announced. Germany landed in Group 3, lined up against the Netherlands, Hungary, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Julian Nagelsmann, 36, and Rudi Völler, 63, showed delight as Germany drew favorable opponents in the draw for the German national team.
A single formidable adversary for Germany
The UEFA Nations League [English link] draw for the following season took place on February 8 in Paris at the Maison de la Mutualité. Televised images revealed that German national coach Julian Nagelsmann and DFB sports director Rudi Völler were present to witness the outcome.
Group 3 of League A, to which Germany was assigned, comprises these teams:
- Netherlands
- Hungary
- Germany
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nagelsmann and Völler's happiness shone in their expressions post-draw. Germany solely faces a formidable challenge in the Netherlands, bypassing heavyweights like France, Spain, and Italy.
The team now focuses on the Euros. Once prepared extensively, our goal is to secure group victory.– Julian Nagelsmann, national coach, Kicker**
Match schedule is already set
In addition to the groups, the dates for the matchdays were also decided during the draw. The upcoming Nations League season for the German national team begins on September 7:
- September 7: Germany – Hungary
- September 10: Netherlands – Germany
- October 11: Bosnia and Herzegovina – Germany
- October 14: Germany – Netherlands
- November 16: Germany – Bosnia and Herzegovina
- November 19: Hungary – Germany
Germany will engage in another match against Hungary, their Nations League group opponent, shortly after the European Championship. Both teams were allocated to the same group for both the European Championship and the Nations League.
How does the UEFA Nations League work?
The UEFA Nations League debuted in the 2018/2019 season, serving as a replacement for previous friendly matches. Teams compete against peers in this tournament. Featuring four leagues – A, B, C, and D – where A and B both have 16 teams, and D consists of seven teams.
Promotion and relegation are possible between the leagues. Group winners from B, C, and D gain promotion to the next higher league, while those from A and B face relegation. Special rules apply in leagues C and D.
The best teams of League A can qualify for the competition's final tournament. Four crew champions of League A battle it out in the knockout stage. So far, Portugal, France, and Spain have emerged victorious in the Nations League. The German national team hasn't made it to the final tournament yet.
A lethal group for Italy, Belgium, and France
While the German national team drew a favorable group, a group named "the group of death" promises excitement from the very start. In Group 2 of League A, these elite teams engage in combat:
- Italy
- Belgium
- France
- Israel
According to sports betting agencies, France and Italy are frontrunners in the upcoming football European Championship, slated to take place in Germany.*
Italy, Belgium, and France will clash as powerful squads in Group 2 of League A of the Nations League, striving for group supremacy. The [English link] exact match dates of all groups can be found on the UEFA Nations League website.
Germany's Nations League record has been unimpressive so far
Although national coach Julian Nagelsmann expressed satisfaction with his team's draw, their figures suggest improvement. Germany has played 16 matches in the Nations League to date, gaining just 3 victories, 9 draws, and 4 defeats. At one point, relegation to B League's competition was a looming threat.
An analysis of the goal data is equally disheartening: Germany has only managed to score 24 goals throughout the tournament, while conceding 29. It remains to be seen if the team will present a different image in the upcoming season of the Nations League.
The German national team's joy post-draw was palpable, as they discovered they will only face a formidable challenge from the Netherlands in Group 3 of League A. (news: Germany's draw in UEFA Nations League)
With the match schedule already set, Germany's first game of the upcoming Nations League season will be against Hungary on September 7. (news: UEFA Nations League draw and match schedule)
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