NYON, Nov 23: In their quest to secure a spot in their fourth major tournament out of the last five, Wales is set to face Finland in the European Championship play-off semi-finals.
The draw, announced in Nyon, Switzerland, has slated the crucial encounter for March 21 in Cardiff, where Rob Page’s team will strive to overcome Finland and advance to the tournament in Germany next summer.
To reach Euro 2024, Wales must successfully navigate the play-offs, with the winners of their semi-final clash scheduled to face Poland or Estonia in the play-off final on March 26. The stakes are high for both sides as they vie for the coveted opportunity to compete at the European Championship.
In another Path B fixture, Israel is set to confront Iceland, while Bosnia and Herzegovina will host Ukraine. Path C features a match-up between Georgia and Luxembourg, with Kazakhstan embarking on a journey to face the 2004 European champions, Greece, in the other semi-final of that route.
Despite being ranked 22nd in the FIFA rankings, six places above Wales, Ukraine poses a formidable challenge and would have been Wales’ toughest test on paper. The semi-finals are poised to be gripping contests, with each team vying for the chance to make a mark at Euro 2024. Finland, with six victories in their 10 qualifiers, stands as a formidable opponent for Wales, while Iceland faces a challenging road after winning only three times in their qualifying campaign. As the play-offs approach in
March, the football world eagerly awaits the outcome of these decisive encounters, which will determine the final participants in the prestigious Euro 2024 tournament. (Agencies)
