Euro 2021 qualifying

[Kyng]

Well, it seems that the president of the Bulgarian Football Union, Borislav Mihaylov, has resigned:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50054475

I don't know what his history is (i.e. whether this has been a continuous problem throughout his tenure that he's failed to address, or it's just an isolated incident that he had nothing to do with), but it's sad that it's come to this . I wish his successor good luck in rooting out these problems.

[Jarkko]

I think he probably had egg on his face for his "unjust branding" statement before the match: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50004603

In any case, I was encouraged by the fact that the Bulgarian players themselves were giving racist fans a hard time over the whole thing. Or at least, their captain:

After six minutes of time added at the end of the first half because of the delay, Bulgaria captain Ivelin Popov was seen in a heated debate with a section of home supporters near the tunnel while the rest of the players headed for the dressing rooms for half-time.

[Kyng]

Apparently, there's been a bit of a controversy surrounding Russia's new kit. The tops are mainly red, with a blue band around the sleeves, and then a white band outside that one. The idea of this "red-blue-white" design is that it's supposed to represent the Russian flag... but, of course, it's an upside-down version of the flag (which is white-blue-red):


(Source: Getty Images / The Independent)

I can see why they're bothered by it: just glancing at the sleeves, it looks like a Serbian kit, and not a Russian kit. For now, they're continuing to use their 2018 World Cup kit - but, hopefully, this one can be re-designed soon.

[Jarkko]

FINLAND QUALIFIED!!! First-ever major tournament for them!

[Kyng]

Congrats to Finland ! I have to admit, I'd never realised that they'd never qualified for a major tournament before (but perhaps that's because I've been reading too much IntFam, where they're a force to be reckoned with )

Hopefully, they'll have a successful showing in their first tournament, and it'll be a stepping stone to greater things in the future !

[Jarkko]

Hopefully.

I'm still a little butthurt that the Czechs made it in, but oh well, they aren't going to win anyway.

[J-Ster]

FINLAND QUALIFIED!!! First-ever major tournament for them!

Yay! Super Teemu Pukki scored twice for them on Saturday. I'm very happy to see Finland qualify, especially since it means we'll be seeing Pukki playing in the Euros.

[Kyng]

Well, I guess it's "Euro 2021" now, because the tournament has been suspended for a year:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51909518

Still, this should give the domestic leagues a chance to finish over this summer (assuming that the COVID-19 situation has subsided by then).

[Kyng]

Some good news here for Scottish fans:

Serbia 1 - 1 Scotland (Scotland win 5-4 on penalties)

This means Scotland have secured a place in Euro 2021 - which will be their first appearance in a major men's football tournament since the 1998 FIFA World Cup . Congrats to them!