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England national football team
Euro Champ Qualifying | Group Stage
Sep 10, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
Kosovo national football team

5-3

Sterling (8'), Kane (19'), Vojvoda (38' og.), Sancho (44', 45')
FT(HT: 5-1)
Berisha (1', 49'), Muriqi (55' pen.)

In Focus: England's next opponents Kosovo

Gareth Southgate's men face a side taking part in their first European Championship qualifying campaign.

England are preparing to host Kosovo as they continue their qualification campaign for next summer's European Championship.

Here, the PA news agency gives you the lowdown on their opponents for Tuesday's game at St Mary's.

The emergence of a nation

Vedat Muriqi celebrates Kosovo's opener in the win over the Czech Republic
Vedat Muriqi celebrates Kosovo's opener in the win over the Czech Republic (Visar Kryeziu/AP)

Having played unofficial friendlies since 2010 after gaining its independence from Serbia two years earlier, Kosovo began playing FIFA members in friendlies in 2014, with their first official match a goalless draw with Haiti. They were accepted into FIFA and UEFA two years later and have since taken part in the 2018 World Cup qualification programme, the UEFA Nations League and now Euro 2020 qualification.

Head coach

Bernard Challandes has been a huge success with Kosovo
Bernard Challandes has been a huge success with Kosovo (Visar Kryeziu/AP)

Bernard Challandes may not be a household name, but he has the golden touch when it comes to managing Kosovo. The 68-year-old was handed the reins in 2018 and has turned results around. He had no real playing career to speak of, playing in the Swiss lower leagues, but has had a lengthy managerial career. He has been in charge of a host of Swiss teams, including Young Boys, has taken charge of Switzerland's under-21s and has also managed Armenia.

Recent form

Challandes' arrival as Albert Bunjaki's successor in 2018 has turned Kosovo's fortunes around. They are unbeaten in 15 games, winning 10 of them, and are in with a real shot of making next summer's finals. Their fine form allowed them to top their Nations League group, which means they are guaranteed a play-off spot, and they are also dark horses in England's Group A, having already beaten Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.

Star player

Atdhe Nuhiu plays in the Championship for Sheffield Wednesday
Atdhe Nuhiu plays in the Championship for Sheffield Wednesday (Joe Giddens/PA)

One of the most recognisable names is that of Sheffield Wednesday striker Atdhe Nuhiu, who is a useful target man with his height and brute strength. Bersant Celina will also be a familiar face. He plays for Championship side Swansea having started out at Manchester City.

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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain870121
Q Scotland flag Scotland852117
3 Norway Norway832311
4 Georgia Georgia82248
5 Cyprus Cyprus80080

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France871022
Q Netherlands Netherlands860218
3 Greece Greece841313
4 Ireland Rep. Ireland82066
5 Gibraltar flag Gibraltar80080

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England862020
Q Italy Italy842214
3 Ukraine Ukraine842214
4 Macedonia N. Macedonia82248
5 Malta flag Malta80080

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Turkey Turkey852117
Q Croatia Croatia851216
3 Wales flag Wales833212
4 Armenia Armenia82248
5 Latvia Latvia81073

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Albania national flag Albania843115
Q Czech Republic Czech Republic843115
3 Poland Poland832311
4 Republic of Moldova Moldova824210
5 Faroe Islands Faroe Islands80262

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Belgium Belgium862020
Q Austria Austria861119
3 Sweden Sweden831410
4 Azerbaijan Azerbaijan82157
5 Estonia Estonia80171

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Hungary Hungary853018
Q Serbia Serbia842214
3 Montenegro Montenegro832311
4 Lithuania Lithuania81346
5 Bulgaria Bulgaria80444

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Denmark Denmark1071222
Q Slovenia Slovenia1071222
3 Finland Finland1060418
4 Kazakhstan Kazakhstan1060418
5 Northern Ireland flag N. Ireland103079
6 San Marino flag San Marino1000100

Group I

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania1064022
Q Switzerland Switzerland1045117
3 Israel Israel1043315
4 Belarus Belarus1033412
5 Kosovo flag Kosovo1025311
6 Andorra flag Andorra100282

Group J

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal10100030
Q Slovakia Slovakia1071222
3 Luxembourg flag Luxembourg1052317
4 Iceland Iceland1031610
5 Bosnia Bosnia H'vina103079
6 Liechtenstein flag Liechtenstein1000100


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