Friday, November 22, 2024

Who are Northern Ireland’s Nations League opponents?

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Northern Ireland do not even know their destiny in terms of Euro 2025 qualification yet, but the draw for the next Nations League has already been made.

Manager Tanya Oxtoby will have her full focus on the upcoming play-off with Norway, but Northern Ireland now know their opponents for next year.

NI have been drawn with Poland, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania, which brings a blend of familiarity and great challenges.

BBC Sport NI take a look at who Northern Ireland will face next year in League B1.

Poland

World ranking: 32 Manager: Nina Patalon Captain: Ewa Pajor

Poland are the highest-ranked side in the group and will be favourites to come out on top.

After winning their group in the inaugural Nations League last year, Poland had a difficult time in Euro 2025 qualifying and finished bottom, without a point, in a group of Germany, Iceland and Austria.

That is not a true reflection of their abilities, and they responded in the first round of Euro 2025 play-offs to hammer Romania 6-2 on aggregate.

They will now be looking to gain revenge against Austria and qualify for their first major tournament.

Their star player is Barcelona striker and captain Ewa Pajor, who has scored 62 goals in 92 internationals.

Northern Ireland faced Poland in qualifying for the 2015 World Cup, and it was the Poles who came out on top on both occasions.

They ran out 3-0 winners at Mourneview Park in November 2013 as Magdalena Szaj’s effort and two goals by Patrycja Pozerska made the difference.

That was followed with a 4-0 victory the following September in Torun, with teenager Pajor finding the net twice.

In Oxtoby’s most recent squad, only captain Simone Magill, defender Laura Rafferty and winger Lauren Wade featured in the games against Poland 11 years ago.

Romania

World ranking: 43 Manager: Massimo Pedrazzini Captain: Ioana Bortan

After earning promotion from League C, Romania were the lowest-seeded team but will be looking to cause a shock or two.

Romania dropped into the third tier after the inaugural Nations League campaign, but bounced back with six wins from as many matches against Armenia, Kazakhstan and Bulgaria.

Northern Ireland last played Romania in February 2022 as they ramped up their preparations before their first Euros final that summer.

Romania ran out 1-0 winners that day in Marbella, with Carmen Marcu scoring the winner.

Their top scorer is 39-year-old striker Florentina Olar, who has 23 goals in 180 caps, and the majority of their squad play domestically in Romania.

As we mentioned above, their Euro 2025 hopes were ended by Poland in October.

They lost the first leg 2-1 in Bucharest before Poland ran out 4-1 winners in the return fixture.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

World ranking: 63 Manager: Selver Hodzic Captain: Milena Nikolic

Oxtoby probably gave a sigh of relief when NI drew Bosnia-Herzegovina, as not only are they recent opponents, but she knows her side can beat them.

Northern Ireland twice got the better of Bosnia in Euro 2025 qualifying, with a 3-1 win in Zenica in April before a 2-0 victory at Windsor Park in July.

Despite losing twice to NI, they did frustrate Oxtoby’s side in both matches and picked up an impressive draw with Portugal.

Because they finished third behind NI and Portugal, Bosnia made the first round of Euro 2025 play-offs but suffered a 6-3 defeat by Serbia on aggregate.

Captain Milena Nikolic is their top goalscorer with 23 goals, and 19-year-old Inter Milan player Marija Milinkovic was impressive in qualifying.

No matter what happens in the other matches, Oxtoby will be aiming for six points from their meeting with Bosnia.

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