Uefa Euro 2020 qualifying began on Wednesday with 55 countries competing for 20 spaces at the tournament next year. The European championship will look more different to the previous version of the tournament. The 2020 edition will be played out across the Europe continent with games in 12countries.Matches will be held across Glasgow, Baku, London, Copenhagen, Bucharest, Amsterdam, Munich, Budapest, Bilbao, st Petersburg, Dublin and Rome. The opening match will be played at the Stadio olimpico in Rome.

There are 10 qualifying groups of 5 and 6 teams. The top two countries from each group automatically goes through to the next round. There will be no playoffs after these qualifying groups for third place. Although we have teams that are guaranteed of playoffs place at least if they fail to progress from group stages. This are the teams that participated in Uefa nations league.

League A:Portugal, England, Switzerland, Netherlands.

League B:Ukraine, Denmark, Bosnia Herzegovina, Sweden

League C:Finland, Norway, Scotland, Serbia

League D:Georgia, Belarus, Macedonia, Kosovo

Group A:England, Czech Republic,Bulgaria, Montenegro, Kosovo

In this group England are the top seeded having gotten a favourable draw.So they are being rooted to finish top with Czech Republic in second position. England manager, Gareth Southgate said, “the biggest issue for us in preparing for those games, will be getting the right mentality and dealing with the away atmosphere.”

GROUP B:Portugal, Ukraine, Serbia, Lithuania, Luxembourg.

Portugal are the favourites to top the group.They are really banking on 5 times Ballon d’or winner CR7,Bruno Fernande’s, Joao Felix to help them progress to the next round. The Juventus Star is still on form despite his current age and that makes Portugal coach believe he is the right man to lead them to another European championship title after uefa nations league triumph against Netherlands in the finals this year.

GROUP C:Netherlands, Germany,Northern Ireland, Estonia, Belarus

Germany came into qualifying on a low note after going out of the group stages at the world cup and getting relegated in the nations league. But coach Joachim Low believes they can finish ahead of Netherlands in this group.

GROUP H:France, Iceland, Turkey, Albania, Moldova, Andorra

World champions are not only the favourites to qualify in this group but also to win Euro 2020.With the current crop of players they have and their style of play under Didier Deschamps. Although they lost their most recent competitive game 2-0 to Netherlands in the uefa nations league.They still remain the favourites to progress as number one in this group.

According to Simon Gleave,head of sports analysis, Gracenote said.”The top eight nations in Europe;France, Belgium, Spain, England, Netherlands, Portugal, Germany and Croatia all have more than 80 percent chance of qualifying for Euro 2020.Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Austria, Russia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Poland, Serbia, Czech Republic,Wales, Turkey and Sweden are most likely to complete the 20 direct qualifiers for Euro 2020 tournament. We will keep on uprating you on the highlights and other fixtures here.

The qualifiers for uefa euro tournament will run upto 19th November. Check out for the latest highlights as we keep on updating you right here.

Germany maintained their perfect record in Euro qualifying with a thundering 8-0 victory in Mainz over Estonia on Tuesday 11th June 2019.Estonia who were underdogs in this case were helpless against a bright young Germany squad as the host rampaged to a third win from three matches in group c and they appeared to have left behind last gear’s world cup woes.Marco Reus was on the score sheet as he fired in the opener, Gnabry doubled the lead as they kept on tormenting Estonia backline,in 20th minute as he flicked in a floating ball. Then came the fourth goal from Reus on 37th minutes.Gnabry slotted his second before substitute Timo Warner added the seventh goal. As Leroy Sane scored the eighth goal in 88th minute. Germany’s next qualifier see’s them host Netherlands in Humburg on 6th September 2019.

Belgium found it easy going past Kazakhstan in Brussels on Saturday 10th June 2019 to maintain their 100 percent start to the Euro qualifiers and top group A.Thanks to early goals from Dries Martens and Timothy Castagne that put Belgium 2-0 ahead within quarter an hour and Romelu Lukaku added third five minutes into the second half.Belgium have nine points ahead of Scotland and Russia from their three opening qualifiers on six points.

Poland thrashed Israel 4-0 at home on 10th Monday June 2019 to cement their lead in Euro 2020 qualifying in Group G.They have not conceded a goal from their four matches. Krzsztof Patiek opened the scoring in 35th minute after across from thomasz Kedziora.They dominated the second half by scoring three more goals with Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandoski converting a penalty in the 56th minute.Poland lead groups G with twelve points five ahead of second placed Israel. Third placed Austria have six points.

Italy came from behind to beat Bosnia 2-1 to extend their excellent run in euro 2020 qualifiers to four games in Turin on Tuesday. Thanks to second half goals from Lorenzo Insigne and Marco Verratti .Roma forward Edin Dzeko had put the visitors ahead after 32 minutes at the Juventus stadium as the host conceded their first goal in the European qualifying campaign. Italy top group J with a maximum of twelve points after four matches having scored 13goals and conceded one goal.Italy are ahead of second placed Finland with three points and Armenia third. Bosnia Herzegovina and Greece are eight points a drift. Italy will play Armenia on 5th September with Bosnia hosting Liechtenstein in their next qualifiers.

Spain had difficulties in finding the net on halftime against Sweden at Santiago Bernabeu but on 64th minute they found their feet and had an opener through Sergio Ramos through spot kick. Before Alvaro Morata adding the second also through a spot kick.Mikel Oyarlzabala scored the third on 87th minute ensuring Spain collected all the maximum three points they needed against Sweden.

Latvia were hammered 0-5 by Slovenia at home,Daugava stadium in Riga.with Domen Crnigj scoring on 24,26 minutes to put the visitors ahead with two nil.Then came the third on 29th minute through a spot kick.M.Zajc sealed the victory on 47th minute.

The tournament was founded in 1958.Is the primary association football competition contested by the senior men’s national teams of the members of the Union of European football associations. Is meant to determine the continental champion of Europe. It consists of 24 teams; (55 eligible to enter qualification).

The competition is held every four years since 1960.It was initially called the uefa European nations cup before changing their current name in 1968.The current champions are Portugal who has one title and the most successful teams in the tournament are Germany and Spain each with three titles in total.

Before entering the tournament all teams are required to compete in a qualifying process other than the host nation(s) who qualify automatically. The tournament winner earn the opportunity to compete in FIFA confederations cup.Spain is the only team in history to have won consecutive titles in 2008 and 2012.It is the second most watched tournament after FIFA world cup.

Before 1980,only four teams qualified for the final tournament and 1996 the tournament expanded to 16 teams,since it was easier for European nations to qualify for the world cup than their own continental championship. Out of 24 teams in 1982,1986,1990 world cups were European nations whereas the European championship finals still involved only eight teams.

In 2016 the competition increased to 24 teams after much discussion about an expansion of the tournament spearheaded by Scotland and Netherlands due to increased number of football association across Europe and the break of Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union and the inclusion of Israel and Kazakhstan. On 25th September it was announced by Franz Becknebaner that an agreement had been reached.There would be 24 teams in the next tournament. Since the expansion of the tournament the host country or countries are chosen beforehand and qualify automatically. To qualify a team must finish in one of the qualifying spots or win a playoff after that a team proceeds to host country.

Qualification is played in a league format in groups and teams play each other home and away. Then teams either qualify for the final tournament or to further playoffs depending on their position in the groups. Points are awarded as three for a win and one for a draw like in the most leagues and none for a loss.Sixteen teams progress to the finals and eventually two meet in the finals where the winner is crowned the champion of the tournament. In 2012 Ukraine and Poland were the joint hosts. As I mentioned early Portugal are the current champions after beating France 1-0 at Stade de France, Saint-Denis in France officiated by Mark clattenburg(England).

Axel Witsel believes that there could be more arrivals to come this summer. With an ambitious outfit setting their sight on Major silverware this summer. He believes with more acquisitions will bring more happiness and enjoyable football at the club.

More reinforcements are needed or rather required. Dortmund have moved early in the transfer window to get fresh face and blood on board. Axel is impressed with the commitment being shown, but he believes that extra funds could be invested before the end of the transfer window. He told Bild,”We are stronger now.We have got Thorgan Hazard, Julian Brandt and Nico Schulz.”

Dortmund have already completed signing Thorgan Hazard,Nico Schulz and Julian Brandt but Axel has hinted there could be more to arrive.Having missed out on Bundesliga title this summer to Bavarians, Lucien Favre is determined to ensure his side are better placed to challenge Bundesliga title next time. He already has plenty of quality on his books in the form of Witsel,Marco Reus,Paco Alcacer and Jadon Sancho.

“I played against Brandt in Leverkusen, it was hard to face him. I am delighted for Nico and Thorgan too.They are going to be better moreover they are all good transfers. We need them and perhaps there are more on the way to join us.”

At the beginning and in the middle of the season, Dortmund were well placed to secure Bundesliga title last season after Bayern Munich dominance in the recent years but only to suffer an untimely collapse and were labelled by some football pundits as bottlers of the Bundesliga. Witsel said with that experience it can serve the club well, “We gave away too many points during the second half of the season but we are young team. It was a positive season and brilliant one and nobody expected it from us.Now we have to learn from the past experience and forge a head.”

“We have got young players together wit experienced guys too,you need that in a title race.We can win titles and cups next season, anything is possible.” He (Witsel ) returned to European football from China in the Summer of 2018 and committed to a four year contract at signal Iduna park.He is expected to be there for a long time.

There has been numerous rumours linking Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen that he may end up at Bernabeu. Los blancos have had a fine start to the 2019-2020 summer transfer window after signing Luka Jovic, Elder Militao, Eden Hazard and Ferland Mendy.And it seems Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen is another of their top target this summer.

Accordind to Don Balon,the la liga giants have their initial formal bid for Eriksen of around £74millions turned down. Spurs are believed to be holding out for a fee more than £130millions.

The Denmark international would be a perfect signing for Real Madrid after his world class display in the EPL down the years. He also played a key role in helping Tottenham reach their first champions league finals at Wanda metropolitan stadium in Madrid 2018-2019 campaign.

The Spanish giants are reported not to be keen on paying Tottenham their current asking price. They believe it would be more than what they paid for Chelsea star, Eden Hazard. Eriksen is in his final year of his contract and that would make los blancos and its hierarchy unlike Hazard paying Tottenham their current asking price for the Denmark international would be almost impossible.

Here are Christian Eriksen’s words, “I feel that I am at a place in my career where I might want to try something new.” He recently told Ekstra Bladet.

“I have the biggest respect for everything that has happened in Tottenham but I have also said I would like to try something new.” With this words Real Madrid believe they will secure his services at Bernabeu as they seek to rebuild their current squad after finishing 3rd in la liga last season.

Eriksen with his teammate Lukas moura celebrating their triumph against Ajax in champions league semifinals last season.

The window transfer is officially open in England,and one of the players we are going to focus on is Eden Hazard who has completed his move to Real Madrid. The transfer fee for the 28years old is £89millions.

According to http://www.express.co.UK he will be officially unveiled as Real Madrid player at the Bernabeu on 13th June 2019.

He joined Chelsea in June 2012,where he went on to win the EUFA Europa league in his first season and young player of the year in his second .And he is also considered one of the best players in the world currently.

He helped Chelsea win league cup 2014-2015 and premiere league.2016-2017 he won his second English title as Chelsea secured their title. For sure if he maintains his current form at the Bernabeu he will be great acquisition for the los blancos as they seek to rebuild their squad this summer having finished 3rd in La liga last season.

Daniel James (Swansea winger)

He has completed his medical test according to the daily post.It’s believed Swansea have agreed a fee for the 21years with Man utd in a rigion of £18millions.James is the first signing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s since he was appointed as permanent manager at Old Trafford to help them regain their golden days.

And having completed his medical test he is expected to the Wales squad before the upcoming Euro qualifiers in Croatia on Saturday and in Hungary next Tuesday.He is expected to be unveiled any time soon. Probably after Euro qualifiers.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton