TILBURG, NETHERLANDS – DECEMBER 5: (L-R) Welma Fon of Belgium Women Kerstin Casparij of Holland Women during the UEFA Womens Nations League match between Holland Women v Belgium Women at the Koning Willem II Stadium on December 5, 2023 in Tilburg Netherlands (Photo by Roy Lazet/Soccrates/Getty Images).
Introduced in September 2023, the UEFA Women’s Nations League has evolved into the primary pathway for European teams to secure coveted spots in major international tournaments, including the European Championships, World Cup, and Olympics. It also serves as an opportunity for European teams to win more silverware for their country.
For some teams, the UEFA Women’s Nations League has been a joy ride, full of happiness and celebration, and for others their 2024 Olympic dream have been shattered. The emotional rollercoaster experienced by all participants has added a dynamic and compelling dimension to the competition, making it a pivotal and unpredictable journey for every team involved.
How does it work?
The league begins with a group stage with UEFA splitting its teams into three leagues labelled by A.B and C. The teams are then split into four groups with four teams (five in group C) in each group based on where they sit in the UEFA women’s national team coefficient overview which was created after the UEFA European qualifying competition for the 2023 FIFA women’s world cup. Which means the rankings are based on the qualifying competition.
The four group winners then gain promotion into the two leg (home and away) semi-finals where they will contest for their countries names to be written in history as the first final and third place match in the nations league.The group winners from league B and C are also promoted into the league above them respectively.
The teams that finish bottom in league A and B are regulated alongside the team finishing third in league B. So two teams from league B go down alongside the bottom team from league A.
The teams finishing third in league A will play against the teams finishing second in league B. The winner of the matches will play in League A to fight for European Qualifications while the defeated team will be demoted to league B.
The three best third place teams in League B will play against the three best second place teams in League C.
All promotion and regulation matches are played over two legs (home and away), with the fixtures decided by a draw. Any teams that finish third are seeded for the draw and play their second leg matches at home.
How does the 2024 Olympics in France fit into the nations league?
The two finalists will qualify for the 2024 Olympics in France alongside hosts France. If France are among the finalists, the team finishing in third place will fill the remaining slot at the Olympic games.
Let’s take a further look at the groups that are competing across League A. All fighting for their place in the European Champions and the 2024 Olympic games.
League A Group 1
The group of death. England, Netherlands, Belgium, and Scotland. When you compare these teams on paper, statistically England and the Netherlands are the better teams due to their performance in competitions. Netherlands have topped the group meaning that they will go into the semi-finals to compete for a spot at the Olympics. Finishing second by an exceedingly small margin was England meaning they will stay in league A. Finishing third was Belgium who will now go through the playoffs to compete next year in the European qualifiers. Being relegated to league B is Scotland who looked strong for moments in their games but wasn’t strong enough to gain the points.
League A Group 2
With France already qualified, Norway, Austria and Portugal all competing for a chance to make their mark at the Olympics. With France topping the group they are setting their sights on nations league glory. Austria finished second after outstanding wins against Norway and a close loss against France. Norway finished third meaning that they are now subjected to the playoffs. The performance of Norway has been on a steady decline, is it time for a change in management? Relegated to league B is Portugal who made their mark last year after qualifying for the European championships but did not qualify for the Olympics.
League A Group 3
Germany, Denmark, Wales, and Iceland. With Wales and Iceland looking to make their mark in an international competition. The group was looking strong. With Germany topping the group meaning that they are now fighting for their spot at the Olympics. Denmark finished second after a late goal which left them one point behind Germany. Fighting in the playoffs is Iceland who had some strong performances, but it was not enough. Wales were unfortunately relegated to league B.
League A Group 4
This is a strong group consisting of Spain, Sweden, Italy, and Switzerland. With the world champions and the Olympic silver medallists finishing first and third respectively in the group. This means that Spain have set their sights on nations league and Olympic glory while Sweden have been placed in the playoffs. What is going on for the silver medallists? Italy finished second meaning that they are safe in group A. Switzerland are unfortunately regulated into league B.
The movement of teams into the main leagues
Remaining in League A
Spain
Italy
Germany
Denmark
France
Austria
Netherlands
Italy
Moving into League A
Republic of Ireland
Poland
Finland
Czechia
League A/ League B Playoffs
Hungary
Croatia
Serbia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Norway
Sweden
Iceland
Belgium
Relegated to league B
Wales
Portugal
Scotland
Switzerland
What team was the most surprising?
For me the most surprising team in regard to their performance was England. They are the European champions, silver medallists at the work cup and now they have just failed to qualify to fight for their place at the Olympics and at the UEFA Women’s Nations League title.
Another team that was surprising was Sweden who also did not perform to their standards now having to go through the playoffs to solidify their spot in league A.
Predictions
Who will snatch the spots at the Olympics?
Spain
Germany
France (who have already qualified due to being the hosts)
Who will win the nations league?
It is a close bet between Germany and Spain. But I believe that Spain will claim the UEFA Women’s Nations League trophy.
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