UEFA Nations League final: Who was in it? When was it? Where did it take place?
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Article summary
Spain edged Croatia on penalties in the final of the UEFA Nations League after the sides eliminated hosts the Netherlands and Italy respectively.
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Which teams contested the 2023 Nations League finals?
Croatia, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands made the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League finals, though the hosts were eliminated at the semi-final stage after a dramatic extra-time defeat by Croatia in Rotterdam. Spain (2021) and the Netherlands (2019) were runners-up in the first two editions, while Italy finished third two years ago. Eventual runners-up Croatia reached the last four for the first time.
When were the UEFA Nations League finals?
The 2022/23 UEFA Nations League finals took place in the Netherlands between 14 and 18 June, starting with the semi-finals in Rotterdam on 14 June and Enschede on 15 June. The final in Rotterdam and third-place match in Enschede were both played on 18 June.
What were the Nations League finals fixtures?
The draw to determine the semi-final pairings took place on Wednesday 25 January in Nyon, Switzerland.
Semi-finals
Wednesday 14 June: Netherlands 2-4aet Croatia (Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam)
Thursday 15 June: Spain 2-1 Italy (FC Twente Stadion, Enschede)
Match for third place
Sunday 18 June: Netherlands 2-3 Italy (FC Twente Stadion, Enschede)
Final
Sunday 18 June: Croatia 0-0aet Spain, Spain won 5-4 on pens (Stadion Feijenoord, Rotterdam)
How did the four teams reach the Nations League finals?
Croatia, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands booked their places at the finals by topping their League A groups in the league phase of the competition. The league phase took place between June and September 2022.
How is the Nations League linked to UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying?
Three of the 24 places at UEFA EURO 2024 will be determined by play-off spots via the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League, as per the regulations.
Twelve teams will be selected based on their performance in the 2022/23 Nations League – nominally the group winners of Leagues A, B and C, but if they have already qualified, they will be replaced by the next best-ranked team in their league. If there are not enough non-qualified teams in the same league, then it filters down to the next league, finishing with League D.
