The Albanian football team has qualified for Euro 2024 in Germany, and Denmark is there too. Italy has a final against Ukraine, but has a good chance of getting a ticket to the European Championship.
The Albanian team drew 1-1 (1-0) in Group E in Moldova on Friday and qualified as the twelfth team for the 2024 finals. Sokol Cikalleshi put Albania ahead with a converted penalty (25th minute). After Vladyslav Baboglo’s late equalizer (87th), the visitors had to tremble for a moment, but in the end they survived Moldova’s final offensive. This is the second time that Albania has participated in a European Championship since 2016. The last match will be on Monday against the Faroe Islands.
Poland can no longer qualify directly
Meanwhile, Poland, led by former world footballer Robert Lewandowski, no longer has a chance of qualifying directly from Group E and must wait for a detour through the playoffs. In Warsaw against the Czech Republic, the hosts only managed a 1-1 draw (0-1) and finished the group in third place at best. On the last day, Czech Republic and Moldova will duel for the second place in the group.
Delaney secures Denmark’s ticket to the Euro Cup
The Danish football team achieved its participation in the final phase of the European Championship for the ninth time. Coach Kasper Hjulmand’s team beat Slovenia 2-1 (1-1) on Friday in the main match of Group H and can no longer be eliminated from one of the top two places on the last day. The winner of the match at Copenhagen’s Parken was former Bundesliga professional Thomas Delaney.
The former Bremen and Dortmund midfielder scored the decisive goal for the Danes in the 54th minute. Wolfsburg full-back Joakim Maehle’s lead (26′) was equalized by Slovenia’s Erik Janza (30′) with a remarkable free kick goal from 16 meters in the first half. Jan Oblak, who was in great form in the Slovenian goal, prevented the superior 1992 European champions from scoring more goals.
Qualification achieved
These teams will be at EURO 2024
Slovenia or Kazakhstan: who will prevail?
For the Slovenians, on the last day they will face Kazakhstan. The Kazakhs had previously beaten San Marino 3-1 (1-0) on Friday and could overtake Slovenia with a win in Ljubljana on Monday. At the same time, Denmark will play Northern Ireland, who lost 4-0 to the Finns on Friday, who had already qualified for the play-offs.
Italy’s final against Ukraine
European champions Italy won 5:2 (3:0) in group C against North Macedonia in their penultimate match. In Rome, Matteo Darmian (17th) gave an early advantage to the Italians, who were also able to afford a penalty missed by Jorginho (40th). Federico Chiesa (41st, 45th + 3) supposedly made things clear before the break.
But substitute Jani Atanasov (52nd, 74th) shortened the score with a double and left the Italians trembling. Giacomo Raspadori (82nd) saved the two-time European champion, Stephan El Shaarawy (90th + 3) of AS Roma scored the final score in extra time.
With 13 points, Italy occupies second place in the standings, ahead of Ukraine, which has the same number of points. On the last day both countries will face each other in Leverkusen. A draw will be enough for Italy to participate in Germany next year.
England has problems with Malta and still wins
Meanwhile, England, already qualified as European runners-up, struggled to achieve their sixth victory in their seventh match. The team led by Bayern Munich’s star striker, Harry Kane, won a lackluster 2-0 (1-0) against Malta. Enrico Pepe (8th) scored an own goal for Malta, which finished the qualification without points. Kane (75th) increased. He scored his eighth goal in qualifying for the Euro Cup, only Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku (ten goals each) scored more times.
Before the game began, fans, players and officials said goodbye to Bobby Charlton, who passed away in October. It was England’s first home match since the death of the 1966 world champion.