North Macedonia Euro 2020 team profile: squad, manager, odds and prospects

Tournament odds: 500-1

Just reaching the finals of Euro 2020 is a major achievement in itself for North Macedonia but they won’t be content to rest on their laurels now they are rubbing shoulders with Europe’s elite.

The rank outsiders for Euro glory bring to the party a capable if unspectacular squad, but have already demonstrated they can give the big boys a bloody nose if underestimated after winning 2-1 away in Germany in a World Cup qualifier in March.

The Red Lynxes qualified for their first major tournament via the playoffs after winning their Nations League group, seeing off Kosovo and then Georgia to punch their ticket. Suitably enough, it was the captain and national icon Goran Pandev who grabbed the iconic winner against Georgia.

In the twilight of his 21-year career, 37-year-old Pandev is finally reaping the rewards of sticking by North Macedonia through some very lean times and if the Euros is to be his swansong, he will be determined to go out on a high.

While North Macedonian football owes Pandev a huge debt of gratitude - he founded club side Akademija Pandev which nurtured several members of the international side - the Genoa forward has head coach Igor Angelovski to thank for giving him one last shot at the big time.

Angelovski has brought what was a divided squad closer together since taking charge in 2015 and that team spirit has played a big part in their run to Euro 2020. He’s also benefited from giving a chance to several of the youngsters who steered the nation to a first Under-21 European Championship in 2017, led by Napoli’s Elif Elmas, who was the top scorer in qualifying with four goals.

Angelovski’s men have acquitted themselves well when facing sides of a similar standard but with the exception of the Germany game, they have been found wanting when the quality of the opposition has been stepped up.

They finished a distant third to Poland and Austria in the qualification campaign for the Euros, going down to a 4-1 home defeat to the Austrians, who they will face again in their opening group game.

A lack of discipline has also been an issue - no side received more yellow cards than North Macedonia’s 34 in qualifying - and their campaign has the potential to get ugly if they don’t make a strong start.

Scouting report

Manager - Igor Angelovski:Appointed in November 2015, Angelovski is North Macedonia’s longest-serving head coach. The 44-year-old had previously managed only domestic side Rabotnicki before stepping up to international football and while he’s fostered a great atmosphere in the squad, his tactical ability has been questioned at times.

Probable team - 3-5-2: Dimitrievski; Ristevski, Velkovski, Musliu; Ristovski, Nikolov, Bardhi, Elmas, Alioski; Pandev, Trajkovski.

Penalty taker: Ezgjan Alioski
Free-kick wizard: Enis Bardhi
Set-piece aerial threat: Darko Velkovski
Card magnet: Boban Nikolov
Star man: Goran Pandev

Team Strengths

• North Macedonia have failed to score in only two of their last 27 internationals.
• Igor Angelovski has fostered a sense of unity that has already seen them through some tough situations.
• North Macedonia’s footballing icon Pandev arrives at the Euros following a strong end to the season with Genoa.

Team Weaknesses

• This is North Macedonia’s first taste of a major tournament.
• They lack depth in their squad and Igor Angelovski’s options quickly become limited should they pick up any injuries,.
• No side received more yellow cards in qualifying (34) while they have had six red cards in the last 24 games.

Prospects: Finishing as one of the best third-placed teams and reaching the last-16 stage is not beyond North Macedonia. To achieve that, they will probably need at least one win and should view their clashes with Ukraine and Austria as the best opportunity to get three points on the board.

Inside info - Jonathan Wilson, European football expert: The decision to allow teams in from the Nations League is a really good idea - we see so often good teams unable to qualify because their coefficient is terrible which punishes a better generation.

You can never be sure whether a new team will be inspired by qualification but I think they will lose all three games.

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