5 big names are at risk of missing Euro 2024

Euro 2024 qualifying is heating up with six teams having secured their places in next summer’s finals alongside hosts Germany.

More is expected in the coming days, as England close to securing their place at the tournament, but some big names and nations are sweating it out as qualifying reaches important point.

We’ve looked at five big-name players who could miss out on a place at Euro 2024.

5 big names at risk of missing Euro 2024:

Erling Haaland

Norway’s hopes of reaching the 2024 European Championship now depend on the UEFA Nations League play-offs, after defeat to Spain this week left the country unable to catch Spain or Scotland in the group A.

Norway have not reached a major tournament since Euro 2000 and face the prospect of another summer despite Erling Haaland’s presence. The 22-year-old has scored 27 goals in just 28 appearances for the national team, including six in qualifying, but even this formidable scoring record was not enough for the Norwegian.

Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard’s dream of taking Norway to their first major international tournament since Euro 2000 was dealt a blow after a 1-0 defeat to Spain last night 😬

Their only route to Euro 2024 is now the Nations League play-offs 👀 pic.twitter.com/JH5EjzrjTV

– SPORTbible (@sportbible) October 16, 2023

Haaland – considered a favorite for the Ballon d’Or after a 52-goal campaign that helped Manchester City win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble last season – will be a huge failure if Norway cannot chance of passing the qualifying round. the back door of the Nations League.

However, participation in the Nations League play-off round is not guaranteed.

Martin Odegaard

Martin Odegaard is the captain of the Norwegian national team and is another big name likely to miss next summer’s tournament.

Odegaard has become one of Europe’s best creative talents since signing for Arsenal from Real Madrid, when the midfielder first began to realize his potential at Strømsgodset as a teenager. year. Last season, the 24-year-old scored 15 goals in the Premier League and added seven assists, with perhaps only compatriot Haaland’s record-breaking performance stopping Odegaard from winning the Player of the Year award. Premier League season.

Haaland and Odegaard are the faces of Norway’s so-called golden generation, but better support is needed from a supporting cast that includes Premier League names like Kristoffer Ajer and Sander Berge, if Norway is to make it through. into a major tournament for the first time in more than a century. two decades.

Virgil van Dijk

The Netherlands face a seismic shift in their bid to qualify for Euro 2024 this week, with a must-win match against Greece in Athens.

Greece leapfrogged the Netherlands and finished second in Group B this weekend, as a 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland – coupled with the Netherlands’ defeat at home to France – helped Greece move ahead Oranje.

The two teams now meet again on Monday night in the Greek capital, with the Netherlands now three points behind their opponents, with a game in hand, ahead of the clash at the Agia Sophia Stadium. Embed from Getty Images

A defeat to the Dutch would be a blow to a talented but inexperienced team, led by Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk. The 32-year-old has faced criticism in his homeland but remains one of Europe’s best defenders and will be vital to their chances of qualifying.

Robert Lewandowski

Poland’s hopes of reaching the tournament suffered a setback after a 1-1 draw with Moldova last week, a result that left them third in Group E after playing one match.

Robert Lewandowski’s absence from the latest squad, due to an ankle issue, was a damaging blow to their qualification chances as Poland failed to break down Moldova to lose ground on the top two. Poland face the Czech Republic, one point above them, in their final qualifier, but remain reliant on results elsewhere to seal a place at Euro 2024.

Should they miss out, it could be the end of Lewandowski’s participation at the European Championship. Poland’s all-time record goalscorer will be approaching his 40th birthday when the 2028 edition comes along.

Luka Modric

Luke Modric continues to lead Croatia despite turning 38 last month, but the veteran midfielder’s side face a challenge to reach the finals after losing to Wales at the weekend.

Croatia’s 2-1 defeat in Cardiff saw them leapfrogged by Wales in the race for qualification, ahead of November’s final qualifiers against Latvia and Armenia.

🇭🇷 Luka Modrić has played his 1000th game of his career tonight.

Legend. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/gMwou3h09x

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) October 15, 2023

Croatia finished third at the World Cup in Qatar last winter, but their qualification for Euro 2024 is now reliant on results elsewhere.

Should Wales beat both Armena and group winners Turkey in their final two games of the campaign, Croatia’s hopes will rest on the UEFA Nations League play-offs. Zlatko Dalić’s side are already assured of a place in the play-offs.

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Anthony Elanga makes bold Manchester United claim following summer transfer to Nottingham Forest

Anthony Elanga left Man United in the summer transfer window, joining Premier League counterparts Nottingham Forest on a permanent deal

 

Winger Anthony Elanga has claimed that there isn’t a big difference between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest following his summer move to the City Ground.

After regular opportunities dwindled towards the end of last season, Elanga swapped Old Trafford for the City Ground in July. He joined the club on a five-year contract for a fee of £15million.

He has made nine appearances for Forest  d aso far this term, but the majority of them have come via the bench. He has scored one goal for the Midlands outfit so far, netting the winner in their 1-0 triumph over Chelsea’s

attack iktnvc;*!!!* s  the start of September.

Football Digest: Man Utd face big conundrum over Elanga

That victory at Stamford Bridge is one of just two Premier League wins that Forest have secured so far this season, meaning they are currently 13th in the table on nine points after eight matches. They are, however, only three places and three points behind United in the standings.

Nevertheless, despite United’s ambitions this season being much bolder than Forest’s, Elanga does not believe there is too big a difference between both clubs, pointing to Forest’s rich and colourful history, not least in Europe.

Nottingham are still a great team historically,” Elanga told Fotbollskanalen. “They have won two Champions Leagues.

“So, you could say I’ve gone from one big team to another big team. The difference isn’t that big.

“We have started well in the league, winning games, drawing some and losing some. But it’s a good team, a good city and good players. The season is long and hopefully we can have a good season.

Addressing his move to Forest and life at the club so far, the winger, who made 55 appearances for United, continued: “It has been perfect. I talked to the leaders before I came here.

“I know what the leaders want and how to play. The project and everything there is perfect for me.”