Nations League 2024/25 Playoffs: Which Two Teams Are Contending for the Final?
source unsplash
UEFA Nations League, a tournament first introduced to replace the pointless friendly matches, is now gaining increasingly more attention and interest among the fans. With the 2024/25 group phase over, everyone is looking forward to the knockout stages which will start in March.
Unlike the knockout stage at the previous tournament, the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 will also include a two-legged quarterfinal stage. This means not only more top-level matches to watch, but also more betting opportunities, with punters looking for the best football betting odds online. And while the bookmakers may favour some teams, everyone knows that there is always a place for surprise in sports. That being said, this article will make an attempt to predict the two finalists, providing arguments in their favour but also discussing potential weak points.
First Finalist: Germany
In pure football terms, Germany was one of the best teams to watch at the UEFA 2024 Euros. The hosts played an attractive, attacking brand of football and their team worked like a well-oiled machine from the goalkeeper all the way up to the striker. When Die Mannschaft met Spain in the quarter-finals at the Euros, many called the game an ‘early final’, as they were the two best-performing teams at the tournament.
Despite the disappointing result in that particular game, the team has continued improving under Julian Nagelsmann and went on to easily top their UEFA Nations League Group A, recording four wins and two draws.
Now, to reach the final, the Germans need to displace Italy in the two-legged quarterfinal in March. If they win, the tournament will be hosted in Germany, so they will also have the domestic advantage in the eventual semi-final match against Denmark or Portugal.
Italy were the UEFA 2020 Euros winners and their recent performances have been encouraging. Nevertheless, Die Mannschaft are a better-organized team with top players all around the pitch. Coach Nagelsmann has a clear vision of the football he wants his team to play, and his disciples often execute the game plan perfectly. Italy will go into this duel as the underdog, and it will take a tremendous effort to outclass their rivals.
One curious point about Germany is that one of their advantages can also become a disadvantage. Namely, the fact that the national team does not have an out-and-out striker. Kai Havertz is a player with a unique profile, but he is not a goalscorer. This means that the scoring threat can come from anyone on the team. But in dire situations, it also means that Germany does not have a reliable striker to send crosses and long balls towards.
And finally, it should also be mentioned that veterans like Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer, Ilkay Gundogan have retired from the national team. And this lack of experience may be one factor that plays against the Germans in the near future.
Second Finalist: Spain
To many, it may not be a surprise that the UEFA 2024 Euro and 2022/23 UEFA Nations League winners are among the favourites to the title again. But the truth is that La Roja has remained consistent in recent months, and with their young stars getting more experience at the top level, they are expected to become even more of a monster side in the near future.
Spain lost a single match in 2024, the 1-0 defeat to Colombia in a friendly. They will be approaching the quarter-final game with the Netherlands on the back of five consecutive wins. And while Oranje is not the easiest opponent out there, Spain should be able to come on top in a two-legged duel. And in the semi- final, the Spaniards will be going head-to-head against the winner of France vs Croatia (probably France, frankly speaking).
Spain has two competitive advantages. First, coach Luis de la Fuente has made the team more flexible and adaptable, moving away from the possession-obsessed football and towards a more modern approach. And second, La Roja has a wide pool of talent to pick and choose from, many of them young but incredibly capable like Lamine Yamal or Pedri, and others experienced and reliable like Alvaro Morata.
The biggest downside, though, is that Spain will be missing some key players due to injury. Rodri and Dani Carvajal, who would be undisputed starters if available, are likely to miss the quarter-final and their availability for the Final 4 is uncertain. In their absence, coach De la Fuente has to identify substitutes that will not drag down the team and allow it to perform at the previous level.
- UEFA Nations League
Recently added
- The Deepest Squads at the 2026 World Cup
- What Makes the 2026 Champions League Final Different
- How Starting Lineups Can Dictate a Match
- Michael Carrick Closes In On Unique Manchester United Record… and the Full Time Manager’s Job?
- Fasten Your Seatbelt for Another Thrilling English Championship Title Race