Manchester City are officially worse than San Marino – well, sort of.
Pep Guardiola‘s side continue to be stuck in a major rut after losing 2-0 to Juventus on Wednesday night in the Champions League.
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Guardiola’s side are having a torrid time at the momentCredit: PA
As well as leaving their hopes of reaching the next round in jeopardy, it’s a result that seen their record over ten games hit a new low.
In the last ten fixtures, Man City have won just once – the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League last week.
By comparison, even FIFA’s lowest-ranked international team has won more in the same time frame.
That’s because San Marino claimed two victories over Liechtenstein in their UEFA Nations League campaign, meaning that they have won one more game in their last ten than City have managed.
What’s worse for the Premier League champions, in their last ten games they’ve also lost an incredible seven.
They’ve also conceded goals in nine of those matches, but it gets even worse.
City have now conceded 21 goals since the beginning of November in all competitions.
That means that, incredibly, they’ve conceded more goals than any side in Europe’s top five leagues.
The 2-0 defeat to Juventus means that City’s hopes of progressing are hanging by a thread.
Two wins, two draws and two defeats in their six Champions League league phase fixtures means that the 2023 Champions League winners have slumped down to 22nd in Europe’s 36-team table.
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Guardiola is feeling the heat after a torrid run of form
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It’s been a tough time for Guardiola and co
They are just one point and three places away from dropping out of the play-offs and being eliminated from the competition.
City now have two games to save their Champions League campaign.
Those matches will be played after Christmas with fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain on January 22 before hosting Club Brugge the following week.
The Citizens’ horror form has left Guardiola admitting he is questioning himself.
Speaking after the defeat in Turin, he said: “Of course I question myself, but I’m stable in good moments and bad moments.
“I try to find a way to do it. I’m incredibly honest. If we play good [I say] we played good and today I thought we played good.
“Our game will save us. We can do it. We conceded few chances compared to the Nottingham Forest game that we won. We’re making the right tempo.
“We missed the last pass, did not arrive in the six-yard box [at the right time] or have the composure at the right moment.
“But I love my team. This is life, it happens. Sometimes you have a bad period but I’m going to insist until we’re there.”
Well, we’ve reached the end of 2023 and what a year it’s been in football.
The Matildas made it all the way to the semi finals of a home World Cup, Ange Postecoglou took the Premier League by storm and Lionel Messi swerved Saudi Arabia to take up a lucrative deal with Inter Miami.
That’s just a snippet of what’s transpired, but what can we look forward to in 2024?
So glad you asked, because there’s a fair bit that we think is going to happen.
In our 23 predictions for 2023, we (rather miraculously) correctly predicted eight events to happen, which isn’t a terrible strike rate.
So, Foxsports.com.au has once again pulled out the crystal ball and gazed into the future for what is about to transpire in 2024.
When Thanos snapped his fingers in Avengers: Endgame and said, “I am inevitable”, he wasn’t talking about himself.
No, he was in fact talking about Manchester City.
Although Pep Guardiola’s side are in fourth and five points off league leaders Liverpool albeit with a game in hand, they have an uncanny ability to step up the pace just as their rivals take their foot off the pedal.
So don’t act shocked when it’s City who raise the Premier League trophy at the end of the season for a fourth consecutive season.
2. Luton Town survive
If only for Kenilworth Road to remain in the rotation of Premier League stadiums.
But also because Luton are a beacon of hope in an increasingly commercialised sport.
Come on you Hatters!
3. England win EURO 2024
This will be Gareth Southgate’s fourth major tournament as England boss and we believe it will be his most successful.
If not for a masterful performance from Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the penalty shootout at EURO 2020, England would have won it.
But Southgate finally ends the trophy drought and England has a true summer to remember.
Gareth Southgate’s going to end England’s wait for an international trophy. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
4. San Marino wins its first international match since 2004
Every year that passes without a San Marino win means we are predicting La Serenissima to end the wait.
In fact, 2024 could be San Marino’s best chance to win a game for the first time in 20 years as they face the irresistible force that is St Kitts and Nevis across two friendlies early next year.
Book in that sick leave for the 20th and 24th of March to watch San Marino win a game, it’ll be worth it.
5. The Matildas make it to the final of the Olympics
The Matildas made the semi final stage of the Tokyo Olympics and then the semi finals at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
But the Paris Olympics are going to be the tournament where it all finally comes together as the current group enjoy one last dance to take home some silverware before the youngsters take over.
6. Harry Kane wins the Champions League with Bayern Munich
Although Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga hopes aren’t exactly signed, sealed and delivered just yet, Harry Kane should look towards the Champions League.
No team has really put their hand up as serious contenders in Europe’s premier club competition and Bayern could be primed to take full advantage.
Surely the football gods will finally smile down on Kane and help him finally secure a respectable club trophy.
7. Ange Postecoglou guides Tottenham back to Europe
We didn’t say if it was the Champions League, the Europa League or the Europa Conference League.
All we know is that Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham will be back competing on the continent next season.
Ange Postecoglou is going to bring European nights back to Tottenham, but in which competition? (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
8. The Socceroos make it to the final of the Asian Cup
After impressive performances against Mexico, England and New Zealand, the Socceroos are primed for a deep run at the Asian Cup.
Whether they win it all for the second time remains a mystery, but we’re anticipating Graham Arnold’s side will at the very least be one of the final two teams left standing.
9. Italy get knocked out in the group stage of EURO 2024
What would a major international tournament be without one of the big guns being bundled out at the first hurdle?
Unfortunately for Italy, it’s going to happen again.
The defending European champs are in Group B alongside Spain and Croatia, who we think will take up the top two spots.
Albania rounds out the group and although third spot has a chance to make the knockouts based on their overall ranking, Italy simply won’t have enough in the bank as they crash out with two defeats and a draw.
10. Alex Robertson makes his Premier League debut
What a year 2023 was for Alex Robertson.
He made his Socceroos debut against Ecuador in front of his friends and family in Sydney and is now proving himself a vital player for Portsmouth in their bid for promotion to the Championship.
After helping Pompey return to the second tier of English football for the first time since the 2011/12 season, Robertson will return to his parent club Manchester City.
And at the start of the 2024/25 campaign, expect to see the talented midfielder stroll on to the field in the famous sky blue of City.
11. The record for most expensive transfer is broken … by Chelsea
As it stands, Neymar’s £198 million switch from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain is the most expensive transfer in history.
But wait … here comes Chelsea owner Todd Boehly with a briefcase full of cash and he’s about to hand it over to Napoli!
And who’s that about to hold up a Chelsea shirt at Stamford Bridge … is that … Victor Osimhen?!
The prospect of a £200 million deal for the Nigerian superstar feels almost too real.
Todd Boehly’s going to break the bank for Chelsea once again. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP
12. Jude Bellingham wins the Ballon d’Or
We knew Jude Bellingham was something special before his move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid.
But the 20-year-old has not been fazed by the bright lights of the Santiago Bernabeu one bit and, if anything, has thrived under them.
It’s why the English midfielder will prove himself to be the best player in the world when awards season rolls around next year after he single-handedly drags the Three Lions to EURO 2024 glory.
13. Massimo Luongo becomes a Premier League player as Ipswich Town get promoted
Massimo Luongo was once on the books of a Premier League club at Tottenham Hotspur but now, he’s going to become a Premier League player.
Luongo is enjoying a starring role at Ipswich Town and the Tractor Boys are looking extremely likely to achieve the rare feat of two consecutive promotions.
It would be a remarkable feat for Kieran McKenna’s side but it’s nothing less than they deserve having taken the Championship by storm this season.
14. Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League
Unai Emery is cooking something special at Aston Villa this season.
Unbeaten at home and in third place, Villa look poised to take advantage of a number of rivals (cough – Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle – cough) stumbling over their own two feet.
All they need is to finish fourth and at this stage, it’s a very realistic prospect.
15. Kylian Mbappe stays in France
Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid are like the two friends who refuse to date despite being the perfect match for each other and everyone in their group knows it.
Unfortunately for those romantics, they won’t get the relationship they want to see as Mbappe gains Stockholm syndrome and decides life at PSG isn’t so bad after all.
A time will come when the French superstar will form a happy union with Real Madrid, but that won’t happen just yet.
Kylian Mbappe won’t be moving to Spain just yet. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)Source: AFP
16. Nestory Irankunda makes his debut for Bayern Munich … in a friendly
Every pre-season, Bayern Munich decide to absolutely decimate a local German team in a friendly.
You know, the ones when you see a score of something like 18-0 on social media and think ‘holy cow, how good do Bayern look’, only to search the team they played are entirely comprised of part-timers?
Well, this is where Irankunda makes his mark and gets in on the act when he runs his opposition number — Klaus, a 27-year-old local milkman — ragged before unleashing an unstoppable strike past the helpless goalkeeper to put the result beyond doubt.
Cue the iconic Irankunda backflip.
17. Girona qualify for the Champions League
Much like Aston Villa in the Premier League, Girona have surprisingly found themselves in the top spots of La Liga.
In fact, Girona are behind league leaders Real Madrid only on goal difference and are seven points ahead of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, who are third and fourth respectively.
However, dreams of playing in the Champions League aren’t exactly a forgone conclusion given Girona are part of the City Football Group, the owners of Manchester City.
UEFA rules prevent two clubs owned by the same entity playing in European competitions so this could become a sticky situation but for now, let the good times roll for Girona.
18. Cristian Volpato pledges his international allegiance to the Socceroos
It’s the big fish Arnie wants and his relentless persistence finally pays off.
With the Socceroos essentially guaranteed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup thanks to an expanded 48-team competition, Volpato won’t need to worry about the Aussies missing out altogether.
19. Xabi Alonso gets poached by a European heavyweight
Xabi Alonso is already making waves as Bayer Leverkusen manager and has the team sitting top of the Bundesliga.
No doubt all of Europe’s big boys are keeping a keen eye on what the Spaniard is doing in Germany and if the time comes, don’t be surprised to see Alonso move on to pastures new.
It’s just a question of who’s willing to take the plunge.
Xabi Alonso is quickly emerging as one of the top managers in football. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
20. Kusini Yengi emerges as the Socceroos’ starting striker
Ever since Tim Cahill’s retirement, the Socceroos haven’t quite had a figure to turn to when they desperately need a goal.
Mitch Duke is the man largely entrusted with leading the line for the Socceroos, but it’s his remarkable fitness levels and pressing ability that makes him stand out more than his goal threat.
Throw in the fact that Duke is 32 and the need for a fresh presence up top grows even larger.
That’s where Yengi, a 24-year-old at Portsmouth comes in.
Yengi has had to improve his physicality playing in the rough-and-tumble League One but has shown a solid turn of pace and can also hold the ball up well.
It’s why Yengi will be the answer to the Socceroos’ goalscoring woes for years to come.
21. Pep Guardiola announces he will leave Manchester City at the end of the 2024/25 season
Nothing in life can last forever and unfortunately for Manchester City fans, the same goes for Pep Guardiola’s time at the club.
The Spaniard has overseen a remarkable amount of success and has won every trophy there is to win at club level for City.
Who knows what the future will hold for Guardiola, or City for that matter.
22. Wrexham make it to the League Two play-off final … but lose a penalty shootout
There’s nothing quite like a play-off match at Wembley and for Wrexham, they’ll have the chance to achieve back-to-back promotions.
A play-off win would be yet another perfect Hollywood script for Wrexham but football is a cruel, cruel game.
It’ll at least make for must-watch viewing in the next season of Welcome to Wrexham though.
23. A Saudi Arabian club launch an ambitious offer for Erling Haaland
If you don’t buy a ticket to the show, you’ll never know.
Yes, the bid will be knocked back by Manchester City as quickly as it arrived in their inbox.
But you can’t fault a Saudi club for trying.
24. A team wears a full body paint kit in a wild publicity stunt
Any publicity is good publicity, right?
We’re not sure which team will be bold enough/sell out to pull off such a stunt, but it’s going to happen sooner rather than later.
England booked their place at Euro 2024 as Harry Kane’s double inspired an impressive fightback to beat holders Italy 3-1 at Wembley on Wednesday (AEDT).
Needing a point to be certain of qualifying for next year’s tournament in Germany, Gareth Southgate’s side fell behind to Gianluca Scamacca’s early goal.
But, fuelled by a superb display from Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, England hit back to equalise before the break through Kane’s penalty.
Bellingham had won the spot-kick with a typically thrusting run and the 20-year-old prodigy was also the catalyst for Marcus Rashford’s decisive strike after the interval.
Underlining his own importance to the England cause, Kane struck again in the closing stages to give the skipper his 61st goal for the Three Lions.
With two group games still to play, unbeaten England, winners of five of their six qualifiers, are guaranteed to finish top of Group C.
“This was the toughest qualifying group with the seedings. We’ve performed really well,” Southgate said.
“The players are incredible to work with, so hungry, so eager to learn, so together.
“You saw that in the performance. It was relentless. What was really pleasing was that when we went behind we stayed calm.”
Following their failure to qualify for last year’s World Cup, Italy face a tense battle to secure the second automatic qualification place in the group.
Luciano Spalletti’s third-placed team are three points behind Ukraine.
Assured of a play-off place, Italy host North Macedonia before travelling to Ukraine in their remaining matches.
“It’s disappointing. We were a bit casual at times. Occasionally our attitude was found wanting,” Spalletti said.
Jude Bellingham played a starring role as England beat Italy. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“This is what European football is about at this level. It asks you serious questions.”
England have suffered just one defeat in their last 63 Euro and World Cup qualifiers, but reaching major tournaments hasn’t been the issue in the Southgate era.
It is his ability to end England’s wait for a first international men’s trophy since the 1966 World Cup that will define Southgate’s reign.
Beaten on penalties by Italy in the European Championship final at Wembley two years ago, England have gained a measure of revenge by defeating the Italians twice in the group.
Southgate believes his team are a more complete side than the one that lost the Euro final.
And with stars like Kane and Bellingham at his disposal, there can be no excuses if they fail to bring home the silverware from Germany.
England showed they have the character for the big occasion by recovering from the collective collapse that allowed Italy to seize the lead in the 15th minute.
Declan Rice missed a key tackle and Giovanni Di Lorenzo raced into the England area ahead of the out of position Kieran Trippier.
Di Lorenzo whipped over a low cross that eluded Harry Maguire at the near post, rolling perfectly for Scamacca to fire into roof of the net from close range for his first international goal in his 13th appearance.
Marcus Rashford got on the scoresheet for England. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)Source: AFP
In such sublime form for Real this season, it was no surprise that Bellingham played a major role in hauling England level in the 32nd minute.
Catching Italy with their guard down, Bellingham accelerated through on goal before Di Lorenzo’s tackle sent the midfielder sprawling.
Di Lorenzo claimed he got a foot on the ball but, after a lengthy VAR check, the penalty was awarded and Kane stepped up to send Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way for his 60th England goal.
England struck again in the 57th minute as Bellingham tracked back to win possession with a sliding tackle before surging forward from the halfway line.
Rather than go it alone, Bellingham unselfishly guided a pass out to Rashford, who punished woeful Italy defending as he advanced unchecked into the area before planting a clinical strike past the exposed Donnarumma.
Kane killed off Italy in the 77th minute as the Bayern Munich striker nicked the ball off the toe of Giorgio Scalvini before delivering a cool finish that had England packing their bags for Germany.
Gareth Southgate hailed “ruthless” Bukayo Saka as the England forward’s breathtaking goal inspired a 2-0 win against Ukraine that maintained his side’s perfect start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on Sunday.
Southgate’s team followed an impressive victory against Italy in their Group C opener with another composed display highlighted by Saka’s brilliance and the latest example of Harry Kane’s predatory instincts.
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Saka has been one of the standout performers in Arsenal’s climb to the top of the Premier League this season and the forward was at his very best once again at Wembley.
It was Saka’s pinpoint cross that allowed Kane to give England the lead in the first half as the Three Lions captain extended his record tally for his country.
Kane wrote himself into the record books against Italy, scoring his 54th international goal to surpass Wayne Rooney as England’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Surrounded by his wife and children, the Tottenham striker was presented with a golden boot before kick-off, but quickly got back down to business with goal number 55.
Kane had been more instrumental than most in England’s progress to major tournaments in his career, scoring 34 times in just 29 qualifying group matches.
Aged 29, Kane is at his peak, while the 21-year-old Saka is only just starting to explore the vast depths of his potential, as he showed with his superb long-range goal.
“Once he receives inside and turns you know there’s a chance that might happen. It’s a top-level finish,” Southgate said.
“That’s really the ruthless part he’s added to his game in the last 18 months.
“There were times where you weren’t certain he was going to finish, and now you’ve got real confidence when he’s through on goal.
“Everyone can see technical quality. It is the mentality that is the outstanding part.”
Bukayo Saka of England. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
England’s 2-1 victory over European champions Italy on Thursday – their first success on Italian soil since 1961 – was a significant statement of intent in their bid to finally win a first major trophy since 1966.
Dismissing Ukraine in businesslike fashion ensured the positive mood will continue while England wait to resume their qualifying campaign against Malta and North Macedonia in June.
“I’m really pleased. We made a difficult game look straightforward,” Southgate said.
“To back up the Italy result was important but there is still room to grow.”
It was an emotional occasion for more than 1000 Ukrainians and their host families, who were invited to the game as special guests of England’s Football Association having been displaced by the war with Russia.
Showing solidarity with Ukraine, England’s players joined their opponents before kick-off behind a Ukrainian flag with “Peace” written across it.
“It was amazing to see so many Ukrainian fans here,” Southgate said.
“We knew it was going to be emotional and we all have tremendous sympathy with what’s going on. Everyone’s supporting Ukraine.”
Harry Kane of England battles for possession with Mykhailo Mudryk of Ukraine. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Beaten in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the European Championship final two years ago, England are still chasing their trophy holy grail.
In their first home game since last year’s World Cup campaign ended in a painful quarter-final defeat against France, Southgate’s men showed their hunger has not been dulled by so many agonising near-misses.
England had been patient against Ukraine’s massed defence and, while their build-up might have looked ponderous at times, it was a steady approach that paid off in the 37th minute.
Saka whipped a perfectly-weighted cross towards the far post and when Oleksandr Karavaev couldn’t get enough power on his attempted clearance, Kane stuck out a boot to deflect it in from close range.
Having provided the assist for Kane, Saka got on the scoresheet himself three minutes later.
Taking possession 20 yards from goal, the Arsenal forward easily evaded Mykola Matviyenko and curled a sublime strike over Anatoliy Trubin into the far corner for a jaw-dropping goal that brought the previously subdued Wembley crowd to their feet.
Harry Kane became England’s all-time leading goalscorer as the Three Lions enjoyed a perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying by winning 2-1 away to Italy on Thursday, as Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in his record 197th cap in Portugal’s 4-0 win over Liechtenstein.
Kane netted his 54th goal for England in his 81st international appearance from the penalty spot in Naples after Declan Rice had fired the visitors into an early lead.
The England captain moves clear of the record mark he had shared with Wayne Rooney.
Gareth Southgate’s men gained some measure of revenge for their defeat by the Azzurri in the Euro 2020 final.
In their first match since bowing out in agonising fashion to France in the World Cup quarter-finals, England were dominant in the first 45 minutes.
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England’s forward Harry Kane acknowledges the public at the end of the UEFA Euro 2024 Group C qualification match between Italy and England, on March 23, 2023 at the Diego-Maradona stadium in Naples. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)Source: AFP
Rice rifled home his third international goal on 13 minutes after Italy failed to clear a corner.
Another set-piece led to Kane’s record-breaking moment as Giovanni Di Lorenzo handled inside the area.
The Tottenham striker banished the memories of his missed penalty late on against France in Doha by sending Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way.
But Italy rallied after the break when Argentine-born striker Mateo Retegui fired home on his international debut.
England were forced to see out the final 10 minutes a man down after two quickfire yellow cards for Luke Shaw, but they held out for their first win away to Italy since 1961.
In the other game in Group C, North Macedonia beat Malta 2-1.
RONALDO MARKS HISTORIC NIGHT
Ronaldo marked Roberto Martinez’s bow as Portugal boss with another historic night in Lisbon.
The 38-year-old, who was dropped from the Portuguese starting XI during the World Cup, set a new record for men’s international appearances by passing the previous mark of 196 caps held by Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa.
Joao Cancelo fired home the opening goal after just eight minutes but it was not until Bernardo Silva doubled Portugal’s lead early in the second half that the floodgates opened.
Ronaldo made it 3-0 from the penalty spot before blasting home a free-kick from the edge of the area for his 120th international goal.
Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo.Source: AFP
In the same group, Rade Krunic scored twice as Bosnia and Herzegovina swept aside Iceland 3-0.
But Slovakia, who have qualified for the last two Euros, were held 0-0 at home by Luxembourg.
Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark bounced back from their disappointing early exit at the World Cup to beat Finland 3-1 in Copenhagen.
Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund scored a hat-trick for the Danes on his first start for his country.
Elsewhere in Group H, Dion Charles scored twice as Northern Ireland won 2-0 in San Marino, while Slovenia came from behind to win 2-1 away to Kazakhstan.
Cristiano Ronaldo broke the men’s international appearance record by starting Portugal’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Liechtenstein on Friday [AEDT].
The 38-year-old, who was dropped from the Portuguese starting XI during the World Cup in Qatar last year, won a 197th cap for his country.
“Records are my motivation,” Ronaldo told reporters.
“I want to become the most capped player in history. That would make me proud. But it doesn’t stop there, I still want to be called up very often.”
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Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates after Joao Cancelo (not pictured) scores. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Ronaldo made his international debut in 2003 and became the first man to score in five World Cups last year before Portugal lost to Morocco in the quarter-finals.
He is currently playing for Saudi club Al Nassr after an acrimonious end to his second spell at Manchester United.
Ronaldo’s appearance off the bench in the defeat by Morocco equalled the previous mark of 196 caps held by Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa.
He left the pitch in tears following Portugal’s shock 1-0 loss against the North Africans.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will also be hoping to increase his record tally of 118 international goals as Portugal begin their qualification campaign for next year’s European Championship in Germany.
Since leaving Europe, Ronaldo has scored nine goals in 10 matches for Al Nassr. He was replaced as the starting striker by Goncalo Ramos during the World Cup, with the Benfica youngster scoring a hat-trick in a last-16 win over Switzerland.
Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo made history. (Photo by CARLOS COSTA / AFP)Source: AFP
But veteran coach Fernando Santos stepped down following the tournament and new boss Roberto Martinez has immediately put his faith in Ronaldo, who also captains the side.
There were questions over whether his 20-year international career had ended in Qatar as Ronaldo will be 39 by the time Euro 2024 kicks off.
But Martinez, who left his role as Belgium coach after the World Cup, has strongly defended his decision to keep Ronaldo in the fold.
“I do not look at the age,” said Martinez when he announced his first squad last week.
The Spaniard added his squad announcement was the “starting point” for Euro 2024, suggesting Ronaldo is likely to be involved if Portugal qualify for the tournament.
Ronaldo adds the international appearance landmark to an impressive list of individual records.
He is the leading goalscorer in European Championship finals with 14 goals and has netted a record 140 times in the Champions League.
Ronaldo has also finished as the top-scorer in three of Europe’s top five leagues — in England, Spain and Italy.
Portugal will visit Luxembourg in their second Group J qualifier. They have also been drawn alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland and Slovakia.
