Euro 2024 hopefuls can still reach finals despite not winning a single qualifier

22 November 2023 , 09:06

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Euro 2024 hopefuls can still reach finals despite not winning a single qualifier

Estonia could still play at Euro 2024 despite a dismal qualifying campaign that saw them take just ONE POINT from eight games.

The Eastern European side finished rock bottom of Group F, failing to land a single victory in their eight matches, registering seven losses and one draw - and scoring less goals than European minnows San Marino.

However, thanks to demolishing Malta and San Marino, twice, in the Nations League, Estonia could shockingly still find their way to next summer's finals in Germany. Thomas Haberli's side finished top of their UEFA Nations League group and thus still have a lifeline to reach UEFA's showpiece event.

Twelve teams are selected based on their performances in the Nations League - nominally the group winners of Leagues A, B and C - but if they have already qualified they will then be replaced by the next best-ranked team in their league.

However, if fewer than four teams from one league enter the play-offs, the first available slot is given to the best-ranked group winner of League D, which in this case is Estonia.

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Farcically, they now face playing against either Poland, Finland, Iceland, Ukraine or Wales in the play-offs next March for the right to head to the finals, despite their dire qualifying record, which saw them score just twice in eight matches, with Rauno Sappinen getting both, one against Austria and the other against Azerbaijan - the only game in which they claimed a share of the spoils.

Estonia can still reach Euro 2024 - despite a dismal qualifying run (Getty Images)

Wales had an opportunity to qualify directly on Tuesday evening, but a draw with Turkey means they too will be entering the play-off lottery, after group rivals Croatia defeated Armenia in their final group game.

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Will Schofield