The U21 national team of Macedonia was drawn into Group 6 alongside the likes of Spain, Israel, Montenegro, Kazakhstan and the Faroe Islands.

photo by UEFA: Giorgio Marchetti and Lance Kelly conduct the draw

The U21 EURO that in June 2021 will be played in Hungary and Slovenia began earlier today with the draw for the nine qualifying groups in the Swiss town of Nyon. Macedonia started in the Pot D that is fourth from a total of six.

Group 6
 Spain
 Israel
 Montenegro
 Macedonia
 Kazakhstan
 Faroe Islands

Macedonia was drawn in the Group 6 that features Spain, one of the best U21 national teams in Europe. But, the other opponents are at our level despite Israel and Montenegro being better seeded. Still, even by finishing second will be hard to qualify as due to the two host nations that qualify automatically only the two best runners-up will enter a play-off.

Qualifying matches will begin in March 2019. The nine group winners will qualify automatically for the finals. Runners-up with the best records against the teams first, third, fourth and fifth in their group will go into a play-off to determine the last finals berth.

Head coach Dobrinko Ilievski game his thought on the draw: “I am satisfied with the group in which we were placed but at the same time I am very careful. The opponents, with the exception of Spain, are not attractive, but surely have quality and will also strive for the top. Spain is an absolute favorite here while with all the others we will have to fight to the last moment. We will have to give out best in each game if we want be in that fight for the top and that will be our goal in these qualifiers.”

The schedule for Macedonia:

10 September 2019: Macedonia vs. Faroe Islands
10 October 2019: Montenegro vs. Macedonia
15 October 2019: Macedonia vs. Kazakhstan
14 November 2019: Spain vs. Macedonia
19 November 2019: Faroe Islands vs. Macedonia
26 March 2020: Macedonia vs. Israel
31 March 2020: Israel vs. Macedonia
08 September 2020: Macedonia vs. Spain
08 October 2020: Kazakhstan vs. Macedonia
13 October 2020: Macedonia vs. Montenegro