Wales handed an interesting group in Nations League draw

The UEFA Nations League draw was held on Tuesday evening in Amsterdam. The 2^nd edition of the League will commence on September, right in the aftermath of Euro 2020 tournaments.

The groups for Nations League were drawn according to the last season’s performances. Wales entered the draw for the League B in the first pot along with Russia, Austria and Czech Republic.  Last year Wales faced Denmark and Ireland in group 4 in the League B, finishing with 6 points from four games after beating Ireland twice and losing to Denmark twice.

This time Wales will face an interesting compilation of opponents. Finland, led by Norwich ace Teemu Pukki got promoted after winning their group in League C last season. Finland also made their way to their first ever international tournament, qualifying for Euro 2020. Along with Finland, Bulgaria is another team promoted from the lower League. They are still in contest for the Euro 2020 qualification due to their previous position in Nations League, taking on the neighboring Hungary in the playoff-stage. The fourth opponent for Wales is more familiar foe across the strait, Republic of Ireland.

Wales gained the upper hand last time around, by beating the Irish twice and making it to the Euro 2020 through the qualification, while Ireland will take part in the playoffs. Ireland will face Slovakia in the first playoff for the European Championship. The Welsh were drawn in group of Italy, Turkey and Switzerland for the Euros. In addition to facing Ireland in the Nations League two times in a row, Wales also played them in the World Cup qualifiers in 2017. It was Ireland to prevail then, taking the three points on the road while drawing first in Ireland.

The Nations League 2020/2021 group stage games take place from early September to half-way through November and the finals are then played in June 2021. Wales will start preparing for the Euro 2020 by facing Austria and USA in friendlies taking place on 27^th March and 30^th March. Their chase for European Championship starts in Baku, Azerbaijan on 13^th of June against Switzerland.