It was an enormous night time for Scotland on Tuesday as Steve Clarke's aspect secured high spot in Nations League Group B1.
A degree that each one that was wanted because the Tartan Military travelled to Poland to tackle Ukraine of their closing conflict of a triple header this worldwide break. And after a goalless draw, it was glory for Scotland in Krakow. It implies that there are an a variety of benefits coming our method, with a spot within the Euro 2024 draw in addition to a Pot 2 seed in that draw among the many benefits. We may also be going through off towards the 'huge boys' in Europe, with the likes of France, Germany and Croatia potential group opponents as Scotland head into Group A.
The glory felt distant after heartbreak by the hands of Ukraine in a bid to qualify for this winter's World Cup in Qatar, with defeat in Dublin placing a damper on our Nations League marketing campaign again in June too. But it surely was a case of again and again with a vengeance during the last couple of weeks. And it feels unbelievable.
Listed below are 4 issues Scotland are set to learn from Nations League Group B glory...
Promotion to Nations League Group A
Scotland will now combine with the perfect in Europe having safe promotion to Nations League Group A.
A tough-earner goalless draw on the again of two essential victories will see Steve Clarke and his males enter the massive boys playground when it opens once more subsequent time period.
Israel, Bosnia and Serbia have additionally secured promotion however does to the seeding system Scotland will not be drawn towards any of these three sides once they happen of their new Nations League slot.
Nonetheless, the Tartan Military might face sides from these pots when the Nations League returns in March 2024.
Pot 1
- Netherlands
- Croatia
- Spain
- Italy
Pot 2
- Denmark
- Portugal
- Belgium
- Hungary
Pot 3
- Switzerland
- Germany
- Poland
- France
Straight into the Euro 2024 playoff
Prime spot in Group B1 additionally means Scotland go straight into the Euro 2014 play off pot.
A complete of 53 sides are set to compete within the qualifying draw, which can allocate every staff to a spot in one among 10 teams. Seven teams can be made up of 5 groups, with the remaining three consisting of six.
The ten group winners in addition to then 10 group runners-up with qualifying for the event, with the remaining three spots being determined by the playoffs.
The 53 taking part groups are seeded based on the general 2022/23 UEFA Nations League rankings and divided into seven pots.
The draw takes place in Frankfurt on Sunday, 9 October at 11am UK time.
As much as second seeds for Euros
What's extra, high spot within the league implies that Scotland are as much as second seeding for the Euro draw. Scotland will due to this fact be drawn from Pot 2 subsequent month.
And that would show to be vastly helpful for our possibilities of securing a spot within the 2024 European Championships because it means we are going to keep away from a quantity robust opponents together with France. It additionally implies that Scotland is not going to be in a qualification group with England. Good or dangerous information bearing in mind their current kind? You determine.
Pot 2 in full
- Wales
- England
- Bosnia
- Israel
- France
- Austria
- Scotland
- Finland
- Serbia
- Czech Republic
A pathway to the World Cup?
This one is rather less sure. There may be nonetheless a lot to be finalised and plenty of particulars to be crammed in.
The Nations League is linked with European qualification for the World Cup, though to a lesser diploma than the Euros. The pathway for Scotland by way of World Cup 2026 qualification stays considerably unclear. However securing a greater place within the Nations League will certainly make the street slightly simpler than it was final time round.
The 2022 World Cup qualification consisted of 10 teams with the winner of every group straight qualifying for the competitors. The second spherical, which adopted a playoff format, was contested by the ten runners up plus the perfect two Nations League group winners (based mostly on Nations League general rating) that completed exterior of the highest two of their qualifying group.
It means, with a greater Nations League rating now secured, Scotland will stand in higher stead when qualification alternatives come round once more, even when there are some modifications made.
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