by The Albania national 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 winning a ticket to the European Championships.
The Albanian team drew 1-1 (1-0) in Group E in Moldova on Friday and qualified as the twelfth team for the 2024 final. Sokol Cikalleshi gave Albania the lead with a converted penalty (25th minute ). After Vladyslav Baboglo’s late equalizer (87th), the guests had to tremble for a moment, but in the end they survived Moldova’s final offensive. This is the second time Albania has participated in a European Championship since 2016. The final match will be against the Faroe Islands on Monday.
Poland can no longer qualify directly
Meanwhile, Poland led by former world footballer Robert Lewandowski no longer has any chance of qualifying directly from Group E and must hope 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 the Czech Republic and Moldova will compete for the second ticket in the group.
Delaney secures ticket to Denmark’s European Championships
The Danish national football team has secured participation in the final stage of the European Championship for the ninth time. The team led by Kasper Hjulmand won 2-1 (1-1) against Slovenia in the most important match of Group H on Friday and can no longer be ousted from one of the top two places on the final day. The winner of the match at Parken in Copenhagen was former Bundesliga professional Thomas Delaney.
The former Bremen and Dortmund midfield strategist scored the decisive goal for the Danes in the 54th minute. Wolfsburg full-back Joakim Maehle’s lead (26′) was equalized by Slovenian Erik Janza (30′) with a remarkable goal from a free kick from 16 meters in the first half. Jan Oblak, in great form in the Slovenian goal, prevented the 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 Slovenians there will be a showdown with Kazakhstan on the final day. The Kazakhs had already beaten San Marino 3-1 (1-0) on Friday and could overcome Slovenia by winning in Ljubljana on Monday. At the same time, Denmark will play Northern Ireland, who lost 4-0 to the Finns, who have already qualified for the play-offs, on Friday.
Italy’s final against Ukraine
European champions Italy won 5:2 (3:0) in Group C against North Macedonia in the penultimate match. In Rome, Matteo Darmian (17th) gave the Italians the lead, who at this stage were also able to afford a penalty missed by Jorginho (40th). Federico Chiesa (41st, 45th + 3) would clear things up before the break.
But substitute Jani Atanasov (52nd, 74th) shortened the score with a brace and left the Italians shaking. Giacomo Raspadori (82nd) saved the two-time European champions, Stephan El Shaarawy (90th+3) of AS Roma scored the final score in stoppage time.
With 13 points, Italy is second in the standings ahead of Ukraine, which has the same number of points. On the final day both nations will meet in Leverkusen. A draw will then be enough for Italy to participate in Germany next year.
England have problems with Malta and still win
Meanwhile, England, already European runners-up, struggled to secure their sixth win in their seventh match. The team led by Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won a lackluster 2-0 (1-0) against Malta. Enrico Pepe (8th) scored an own goal for Malta, who finished the qualification without points. Kane (75th) increased. He scored his eighth goal in qualifying for the European Championships, only Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku (ten goals each) have scored more often.
Before the start of the match, fans, players and referees said goodbye to Bobby Charlton, who died in October. It was England’s first home match since the death of the 1966 world champion.
