We are less than 100 days away from the UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany, but there are three spots still up for grabs. Twelve teams battle it out for them this month and there are a lot of key players who are ready to fight for their countries on the pitch.
Without further ado, here are the top 5 players to look out for in the UEFA EURO Playoffs:
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Georgia
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been in fine form lately and will be a crucial figure for Georgia this month. He has scored four goals and assisted once in the last three matches for Napoli and will be keen on carrying the form for his country.
Kvaratskhelia’s last match for Georgia was in December when they faced off against Thailand. He played just 32 minutes in the game but still managed to get on the scoresheet.
Georgia will face Luxembourg this month in the semifinal clash of the UEFA EURO Playoffs. A win would bring Georgia a step closer to the summer tournament, but they will have to beat Greece or Kazakhstan in the final later this month.
Also Read: When and Where to Watch Euro 2024 Playoffs
Robert Lewandowski – Poland
Robert Lewandowski has not been at his best this season for Barcelona, but he is a different player when he puts on the Poland shirt. He has scored just 12 goals this season in the league while assisting six times.
The Polish captain has scored 82 times for his country in 146 games, with 22 goals coming in 26 UEFA EURO qualifying matches. He missed two qualifiers last year due to an ankle injury and will be keen on making up for them this month.
Mykhailo Mudryk – Ukraine
Mykhailo Mudryk has found his form at the right time at Chelsea, and Ukraine need him to be at his best this month. The forward has scored twice in his last three matches despite starting just one of them.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk star scored once and assisted twice in seven UEFA EURO qualifiers and will be looking to make things better in the playoffs. Ukraine are up against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the semifinal, and a win would see them face off against Israel or Iceland in the final to get a place in the summer tournament.
Also Read: UEFA Euro 2024: Teams who have qualified
Aaron Ramsey – Wales
Aaron Ramsey has played just 72 minutes for Cardiff City since September, but Wales have still called him up for the UEFA EURO Playoffs this month. The decision has not gone down well with the Championship side, and the manager has admitted that they are yet to grant the midfielder permission to travel next week.
The manager Erol Bulut, added that Wales never contacted them before announcing the call-up and said via BBC:
“We will decide [Friday] if he will be in the squad or not. I don’t want to risk Aaron to let him play 20 or 30 minutes and then lose him for the rest of the season, so I need to speak to the medical team and Ramsey.”
He added:
“I was expecting [communication] from the management or manager of Wales, but I haven’t had any discussion or communication with him about that. In the past he [Wales manager Robert Page] made some talks to the press which was in a different way. I would advise him to have better communication with us or at least the medical department, before the press.”
Wales are up against Finland in the semifinal of the playoffs and the match takes place at the Cardiff City stadium. Should they win, they will face Poland or Estonia in the final later this month.
Artem Dovbyk – Ukraine
Artem Dovbyk has been in stunning form for Girona this season, and he will be leading the attack for Ukraine this month. He has scored 14 goals in 26 league matches and assisted five times, while picking up just one yellow card.
Ukraine have a tough clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina this month in the semifinal of the playoffs before they get a chance to earn a spot in the UEFA EURO 2024 with a final clash against Israel or Iceland.