by The Albanian football team has qualified for Euro 2024 in Germany, and Denmark is also there. Italy has a final against Ukraine – but there is a good chance of 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 in the lead with a penalty converted (25 minutes). After Vladyslav Baboglo’s (87th) late equalizer, the guests 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 final game will be against the Faroe Islands on Monday.
Poland can no longer qualify directly
Meanwhile, Poland led by former world football player Robert Lewandowski no longer has a chance of qualifying directly from Group E and is hoping for a detour through the playoffs. In Warsaw, against the Czech Republic, the hosts only managed to draw 1-1 (0-1) and finished the group, at best, in third place. In the last round, the Czech Republic and Moldova duel for the second place in the group.
Delaney secures Denmark’s ticket to European Championships
The Danish football team secured participation in the final stage of the European Championship for the ninth time. Coach Kasper Hjulmand’s team beat Slovenia 2-1 (1-1) in the first game of Group H, on Friday, and can no longer be eliminated from one of the top two places in the last round. The winner of the match at Parken in Copenhagen was former Bundesliga professional Thomas Delaney.
The former Bremen and Dortmund midfield tactician scored the decisive goal for the Danes in the 54th minute. Wolfsburg full-back Joakim Maehle’s (26′) lead was equaled by Slovenian Erik Janza (30′) with a remarkable free kick 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 any more goals.
Qualification achieved
These teams will be at EURO 2024
Slovenia or Kazakhstan – who will prevail?
For the Slovenes there will be a clash with Kazakhstan in the last round. The Kazakhs had already defeated San Marino 3-1 (1-0) on Friday and can overtake Slovenia with a victory in Ljubljana on Monday. At the same time, Denmark will play in Northern Ireland, which they lost 4-0 to the Finns, who had already qualified for the play-offs, on Friday.
Italy final against Ukraine
European champions Italy won 5:2 (3:0) in Group C against North Macedonia in their penultimate game. In Rome, Matteo Darmian (17th) gave the Italians an early lead, who at this stage could also afford a penalty missed by Jorginho (40th). Federico Chiesa (41st, 45th + 3) reportedly made things clear before the break.
But substitute Jani Atanasov (52nd, 74th) shortened the score with two goals and left the Italians trembling. Giacomo Raspadori (82nd) saved two-time European champion, AS Roma’s Stephan El Shaarawy (90th + 3) scored the final score in stoppage time.
With 13 points, Italy is in second place in the table, ahead of Ukraine, who have the same number of points. In the last round the two countries face each other in Leverkusen. A draw will then be enough for Italy to participate in Germany next year.
England has problems with Malta – and still wins
However, England, already classified as European runner-up, fought for their sixth victory in the seventh game. The team led by Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane beat Malta 2-0 (1-0). Enrico Pepe (8th) scored an early own goal for Malta, who finished qualifying without scoring. Kane (75th) increased. He scored the eighth goal in qualifying for the European Championship, only Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku (ten goals each) have scored more often.
Before the start of the game, fans, players and officials said goodbye to Bobby Charlton, who passed away in October. It was England’s first home game since the death of the 1966 world champion.
