Hungary are out to make up for lost time, Wales are dreaming of three in a row, while Poland and Croatia are hoping to keep hold of their destiny as the European Qualifiers resume. Catch all the action live on SuperSport.
The penultimate round of European Qualifiers for Uefa EURO 2024 runs from 16 to 18 November; check out the key storylines as the final tables start to take shape.
Matchday 9 fixtures
Thursday 16 November 2023
Group A: Georgia v Scotland (19:00), Cyprus v Spain (19:00)
Group F: Azerbaijan v Sweden (19:00), Estonia v Austria (19:00)
Group G: Bulgaria v Hungary (19:00), Montenegro v Lithuania
Group J: Liechtenstein v Portugal, Luxembourg v Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovakia v Iceland
Friday 17 November 2023
Group C: England v Malta, Italy v North Macedonia
Group E: Moldova v Albania (19:00), Poland v Czechia
Group H: Kazakhstan v San Marino (17:00), Finland v Northern Ireland (19:00), Denmark v Slovenia
Saturday 18 November 2023
Group B: France v Gibraltar, Netherlands v Republic of Ireland
Group D: Armenia v Wales (16:00), Latvia v Croatia (19:00)
Group I: Belarus v Andorra (19:00), Israel v Romania, Switzerland v Kosovo
All kick-off times 21:45 CAT unless noted
Hungary in sight of third successive EURO
Celebrations were due to kick off in Kaunas on Matchday 8 as Hungary took on Lithuania, the visitors needing a win to be certain of qualifying from Group G. Things did not go to plan though. The hosts took a 2-0 lead in the first half, and it took a second-half rally (and an 82nd-minute equaliser from Barnabás Varga) to earn a share of the points for Marco Rossi's side. However, as they visit Bulgaria on Matchday 9, this time they know a draw will secure a trip to Uefa EURO 2024.
Bulgaria are out of contention, but will look for hope for the future under new boss Ilian Iliev, and Rossi is not about to underestimate them. "We know they have a number of dangerous players in their team, so we need to be at our best," he said. Even in a worst-case scenario, Hungary will have another chance to seal the deal on Matchday 10, but Rossi hopes his side can raise their game to avoid that. "We are always representing Hungary and we want to make all Hungarians proud and happy with a good result."
Did you know? Hungary beat Bulgaria 3-0 at home in this qualifying campaign and also eliminated their opponents in the semifinals of the play-offs for EURO 2020.
Poland's last chance
Group E has been fiercely competitive, but ahead of Matchday 1, few would have banked on Poland being one of the sides set to miss out on automatic qualification. However, as they host Czechia on Matchday 9, they can only hope that a win in what is their final qualifier will be enough. "If we still have a chance, we will fight to the very end for qualification," said coach Michał Priobierz after a 1-1 Matchday 8 draw against Moldova, but he also noted: "I am not a miracle worker."
Czechia boss Jaroslav Šilhavý heads to Warsaw hoping to lead his side to a second EURO in succession without regulars Jiřà Pavlenka and Patrik Schick, though he will be able to call on significant support. The national association has laid on a special express train which will take 2 000 Czech fans to the Polish capital. If Czechia win (and Moldova do not) those supporters will be celebrating qualification on the way home.
Did you know? Poland's Robert Lewandowski has yet to score in five games against Czechia (W1 L4).
Wales hopes, Croatia fears
"We are two wins away from qualifying for a fourth major tournament [in five]," said Wales manager Robert Page after his side's 2-1 win against Croatia on Matchday 8. His side have proved they can compete even without the talismanic Gareth Bale, and they could even confirm their finals place with a win in Armenia on Saturday, though that would require Croatia to have another disappointing night, and lose against Latvia.
World Cup finalists in 2018 and third-placed in Qatar last year, Croatia are in danger of missing out on their first EURO since 2000 after two defeats in October. Level on points with Wales but with an inferior head-to-head record, they need their rivals to slip up if they are to make it to Germany by the direct route, though they could still qualify via the play-offs. "We have to believe that we are going to be able to turn this around and be better than we were in [those] two games," coach Zlatko Dalić said.
Did you know? Having never qualified for a EURO before 2016, Wales are aiming to make their third finals in a row.
What else to look out for
A point against Iceland on Thursday would take Slovakia to the EURO. Coach Francesco Calzona said: "These are the most difficult matches; we have to be at our best and not think about permutations. We have to play for three points, not one."
Denmark welcome Slovenia on Friday with the sides level on 19 points at the top of Group H, both knowing a win would take them to the finals. Both could potentially qualify on the night, but that would require San Marino to beat Kazakhstan away.
The Netherlands will make it to the finals on Saturday if they win at home against the Republic of Ireland. If they slip up, Greece could theoretically steal their place on Matchday 10, though they would have to beat France, and the Dutch would have to lose to Gibraltar.