2018–19 UEFA Nations League C

The 2018–19 UEFA Nations League C was the third division of the 2018–19 edition of the UEFA Nations League, the inaugural season of the international football competition involving the men's national teams of the 55 member associations of UEFA.[1]

2018–19 UEFA Nations League C
Tournament details
Dates6 September – 20 November 2018
Teams15
Promoted Bulgaria
 Finland
 Hungary
 Israel
 Norway
 Romania
 Scotland
 Serbia
Tournament statistics
Matches played42
Goals scored92 (2.19 per match)
Attendance338,393 (8,057 per match)
Top scorer(s) Aleksandar Mitrović (6 goals)

Format

League C consisted of 15 UEFA members ranked from 25 to 39, which were split into four groups (one group of three and three groups of four). The top two teams of each group were promoted to the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League B, and the bottom four ranked teams were initially relegated to the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League D (the bottom teams of Group 2, 3, and 4, along with the lowest ranked third-placed team of League C).[2] However, following UEFA announcement of format changes for the next edition's groups in September 2019, none of the 2018–19 League C teams were relegated to League D.[3]

In addition, League C was allocated one of the four remaining UEFA Euro 2020 places.[4][5] The play-off berths were first allocated to each Nations League group winner, and if any of the group winners had already qualified for the European Championship finals, then to the next best ranked team of the league, etc. As Finland already qualified for the European Championship finals through regular qualifiers, the seven best ranked teams from League C competed in the play-offs, played in October and November 2020.

Seeding

Teams were allocated to League C according to their UEFA national team coefficients after the conclusion of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying group stage on 11 October 2017. Teams were split into four pots (three pots of four teams and one pot of the three lowest teams), ordered based on their UEFA national team coefficient.[6][7] The group with three teams contained teams only from pots 1, 2, and 3. The seeding pots for the draw were announced on 7 December 2017.[8]

Pot 1
Team Coeff Rank
 Hungary 26,486 25
 Romania 26,057 26
 Scotland 25,662 27
 Slovenia 25,148 28
Pot 2
Team Coeff Rank
 Greece 24,931 29
 Serbia 24,847 30
 Albania 24,430 31
 Norway 24,208 32
Pot 3
Team Coeff Rank
 Montenegro 23,912 33
 Israel 22,792 34
 Bulgaria 22,091 35
 Finland 20,501 36
Pot 4
Team Coeff Rank
 Cyprus 19,491 37
 Estonia 19,441 38
 Lithuania 18,101 39

The group draw took place at the SwissTech Convention Center in Lausanne, Switzerland on 24 January 2018, 12:00 CET.[9][10][11][12] Due to winter venue restrictions, a group could only contain a maximum of two of the following teams: Norway, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania.[13]

Groups

The fixture list was confirmed by UEFA on 24 January 2018 following the draw.[14][15]

Times are CET/CEST,[note 1] as listed by UEFA (local times, if different, are in parentheses).

Group 1
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion[lower-alpha 1]
1  Scotland (P) 4 3 0 1 10 4 +6 9 Promotion to League B — 3–2 2–0
2  Israel (P) 4 2 0 2 6 5 +1 6 2–1 — 2–0
3  Albania 4 1 0 3 1 8 −7 3 0–4 1–0 —
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(P) Promoted.
Notes:
  1. Due to revamp of the format for the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League, no teams were eventually relegated, and the second-placed teams in each group were also promoted.
Albania 1–0 Israel
 Report
Attendance: 4,126[16]
Scotland 2–0 Albania
 Report
Attendance: 17,455[16]
Referee: Matej Jug (Slovenia)
Israel 2–1 Scotland
 Report
Attendance: 10,234[16]
Israel 2–0 Albania
 Report
Attendance: 14,950[16]
Albania 0–4 Scotland
Report
Attendance: 8,632[16]
Scotland 3–2 Israel
 Report
Attendance: 21,281[16]
Referee: Tobias Welz (Germany)

Group 2
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion[lower-alpha 1]
1  Finland (P) 6 4 0 2 5 3 +2 12 Promotion to League B — 1–0 2–0 1–0
2  Hungary (P) 6 3 1 2 9 6 +3 10 2–0 — 2–1 2–0
3  Greece 6 3 0 3 4 5 −1 9 1–0 1–0 — 0–1
4  Estonia 6 1 1 4 4 8 −4 4 0–1 3–3 0–1 —
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(P) Promoted.
Notes:
  1. Due to revamp of the format for the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League, no teams were eventually relegated, and the second-placed teams in each group were also promoted.
Finland 1–0 Hungary
 Report
Attendance: 10,220[17]
Estonia 0–1 Greece
Report
Attendance: 5,567[17]
Hungary 2–1 Greece
 Report
Attendance: 120[17][note 2]
Finland 1–0 Estonia
 Report
Attendance: 4,632[17]
Greece 1–0 Hungary
 Report
Attendance: 9,040[17]
Estonia 0–1 Finland
Report
Attendance: 8,087[17]
Estonia 3–3 Hungary
 Report
Attendance: 3,043[17]
Finland 2–0 Greece
 Report
Attendance: 10,107[17]
Referee: Paweł Gil (Poland)
Hungary 2–0 Estonia
 Report
Attendance: 7,775[17]
Referee: Enea Jorgji (Albania)
Greece 1–0 Finland
 Report
Attendance: 6,376[17]
Referee: Luca Banti (Italy)
Hungary 2–0 Finland
 Report
Attendance: 9,200[17]
Greece 0–1 Estonia
Report
Attendance: 5,179[17]

Group 3
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion[lower-alpha 1]
1  Norway (P) 6 4 1 1 7 2 +5 13 Promotion to League B — 1–0 2–0 1–0
2  Bulgaria (P) 6 3 2 1 7 5 +2 11 1–0 — 2–1 1–1
3  Cyprus 6 1 2 3 5 9 −4 5 0–2 1–1 — 2–1
4  Slovenia 6 0 3 3 5 8 −3 3 1–1 1–2 1–1 —
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(P) Promoted.
Notes:
  1. Due to revamp of the format for the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League, no teams were eventually relegated, and the second-placed teams in each group were also promoted.
Slovenia 1–2 Bulgaria
 Report
Attendance: 5,100[19]
Referee: Davide Massa (Italy)
Norway 2–0 Cyprus
 Report
Attendance: 6,172[19]
Bulgaria 1–0 Norway
 Report
Attendance: 7,100[19]
Cyprus 2–1 Slovenia
 Report
Attendance: 1,115[19]
Norway 1–0 Slovenia
 Report
Attendance: 14,712[19]
Bulgaria 2–1 Cyprus
 Report
Attendance: 6,700[19]
Norway 1–0 Bulgaria
 Report
Attendance: 9,523[19]
Slovenia 1–1 Cyprus
 Report
Attendance: 5,318[19]
Referee: Mads-Kristoffer Kristoffersen (Denmark)
Cyprus 1–1 Bulgaria
 Report
Attendance: 3,844[19]
Slovenia 1–1 Norway
 Report
Attendance: 10,254[19]
Referee: Ruddy Buquet (France)
Bulgaria 1–1 Slovenia
 Report
Attendance: 3,092[19]
Cyprus 0–2 Norway
Report
Attendance: 1,513[19]
Referee: István Vad (Hungary)

Group 4
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion[lower-alpha 1]
1  Serbia (P) 6 4 2 0 11 4 +7 14 Promotion to League B — 2–2 2–1 4–1
2  Romania (P) 6 3 3 0 8 3 +5 12 0–0 — 0–0 3–0
3  Montenegro 6 2 1 3 7 6 +1 7 0–2 0–1 — 2–0
4  Lithuania 6 0 0 6 3 16 −13 0 0–1 1–2 1–4 —
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(P) Promoted.
Notes:
  1. Due to revamp of the format for the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League, no teams were eventually relegated, and the second-placed teams in each group were also promoted.
Lithuania 0–1 Serbia
Report
Attendance: 4,378[20]
Romania 0–0 Montenegro
Report
Attendance: 0[20][note 3]
Serbia 2–2 Romania
 Report
Attendance: 15,496[20]
Montenegro 2–0 Lithuania
 Report
Attendance: 5,239[20]
Lithuania 1–2 Romania
 Report
Attendance: 2,279[20]
Montenegro 0–2 Serbia
Report
Attendance: 9,394[20]
Romania 0–0 Serbia
Report
Attendance: 48,513[20]
Lithuania 1–4 Montenegro
 Report
Attendance: 1,515[20]
Serbia 2–1 Montenegro
 Report
Attendance: 15,416[20]
Romania 3–0 Lithuania
 Report
Attendance: 34[20][note 4]
Referee: Marco Guida (Italy)
Serbia 4–1 Lithuania
 Report
Attendance: 2,088[20]
Montenegro 0–1 Romania
Report
Attendance: 3,574[20]

Goalscorers

There were 92 goals scored in 42 matches, for an average of 2.19 goals per match.

6 goals

5 goals

4 goals

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

1 own goal

Overall ranking

The 15 League C teams were ranked 25th to 39th overall in the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League according to the following rules:[2][23]

  • The teams finishing first in the groups will be ranked 25th to 28th according to the results of the league phase, not taking into account results against the fourth-placed teams.
  • The teams finishing second in the groups will be ranked 29th to 32nd according to the results of the league phase, not taking into account results against the fourth-placed teams.
  • The teams finishing third in the groups will be ranked 33rd to 36th according to the results of the league phase, not taking into account results against the fourth-placed teams.
  • The teams finishing fourth in the groups will be ranked 37th to 39th according to the results of the league phase, taking into account all results.
Rnk Grp Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
25 C1  Scotland 4 3 0 1 10 4 +6 9
26 C3  Norway 4 3 0 1 5 1 +4 9
27 C4  Serbia 4 2 2 0 6 3 +3 8
28 C2  Finland 4 2 0 2 3 3 0 6
29 C3  Bulgaria 4 2 1 1 4 3 +1 7
30 C1  Israel 4 2 0 2 6 5 +1 6
31 C2  Hungary 4 2 0 2 4 3 +1 6
32 C4  Romania 4 1 3 0 3 2 +1 6
33 C2  Greece 4 2 0 2 3 4 −1 6
34 C1  Albania 4 1 0 3 1 8 −7 3
35 C4  Montenegro 4 0 1 3 1 5 −4 1
36 C3  Cyprus 4 0 1 3 2 7 −5 1
37 C2  Estonia 6 1 1 4 4 8 −4 4
38 C3  Slovenia 6 0 3 3 5 8 −3 3
39 C4  Lithuania 6 0 0 6 3 16 −13 0
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Ranking criteria

Prize money

The prize money to be distributed was announced in March 2018.[24] Each team in League C received a solidarity fee of €750,000. In addition, the four group winners received double this amount with a €750,000 bonus fee. This meant that the maximum amount of solidarity and bonus fees for a team from League C was €1.5 million.

Qualifying play-offs
Main article: UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying play-offs § Path C

The seven best teams in League C according to the overall ranking that did not qualify for UEFA Euro 2020 through the qualifying group stage competed in the play-offs, with the winners qualifying for the final tournament.

League C
Rank Team
25 GW  Scotland[H]
26 GW  Norway
27 GW  Serbia
28 GW  Finland
29  Bulgaria
30  Israel
31  Hungary[H]
32  Romania[H]
33  Greece
34  Albania
35  Montenegro
36  Cyprus
37  Estonia
38  Slovenia
39  Lithuania

Key

  1. GW Nations League group winner
  2. H UEFA Euro 2020 host
  3.   Team advanced to play-offs
  4.   Team qualified directly to final tournament

Notes
  1. CEST (UTC+2) for matchdays 1–4 (September and October 2018), CET (UTC+1) for matchdays 5–6 (November 2018).
  2. The Hungary v Greece match was played behind closed doors due to a UEFA punishment against Hungary for racist behaviour in their UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying home match against Romania.[18]
  3. The Romania v Montenegro match was played behind closed doors due to a UEFA punishment against Romania for racist behaviour in their UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying home match against Greece.[21]
  4. The Romania v Lithuania match was played behind closed doors due to a UEFA punishment against Romania for racist behaviour in their 2018–19 UEFA Nations League home match against Serbia.[22]

References
  1. "UEFA Nations League receives associations' green light". UEFA. 27 March 2014.
  2. "Regulations of the UEFA Nations League 2018/19" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  3. "Format change for 2020/21 UEFA Nations League". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  4. "UEFA Nations League format and schedule approved". UEFA.com. 4 December 2014.
  5. "UEFA Nations League format and schedule confirmed". UEFA. 4 December 2014.
  6. "Confirmed: How the UEFA Nations League will line up". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  7. "National Team Coefficients Overview" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  8. "UEFA Nations League draw seedings confirmed". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 7 December 2017. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  9. "UEFA Nations League format confirmed". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 20 September 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  10. "All you need to know: UEFA Nations League draw". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  11. "League Phase Draw Press Kit" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  12. "UEFA Nations League 2018/19 League Phase draw". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  13. "UEFA Nations League 2018/19 – League Phase Draw Procedure" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  14. "UEFA Nations League calendar: all the fixtures". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  15. "UEFA Nations League 2018/19: Fixtures List – League Phase" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  16. "Summary UEFA Nations League C – Group 1". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  17. "Summary UEFA Nations League C – Group 2". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  18. "Zárt kapus lesz a magyar csapat első hazai meccse" [Closed gate the first home match of the Hungarian team]. Origo.hu (in Hungarian). New Wave Media Group. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  19. "Summary UEFA Nations League C – Group 3". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  20. "Summary UEFA Nations League C – Group 4". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  21. "A fost stabilit țintarul din Liga Națiunilor: România debutează acasă, fără spectatori!" [The draw of the Nations League is set: Romania starts at home without spectators!]. gsp.ro (in Romanian). Gazeta Sporturilor. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  22. Sports Staff (26 October 2018). "Romania fined and ordered to play next Nations League game behind closed doors by Uefa due to 'racist behaviour' of fans". The Independent. Retrieved 12 September 2019.
  23. "2018/19 UEFA Nations League rankings" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  24. "UEFA Nations League solidarity and bonus fees". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
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