The action continues tonight in the Nations League, following the tournament’s kickoff on Thursday, with Friday’s schedule promising plenty of excitement and several “firsts.”
The spotlight is on France and Italy, with Zinedine Zidane and Roberto Mancini making their debuts on the benches of their respective national teams in this new era, while Cyprus faces a tough challenge in Montenegro.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
A Look Back at Apollon’s International Soccer Players
France faces Turkey at 9:45 p.m. in Zidane’s first official match as head coach. The “Tricolores” are looking to put their fourth-place finish at the 2026 World Cup behind them and get off to a strong start in Group 1 of League A. At the same time, Italy hosts Belgium at the “Olimpico,” with Mancini returning to the “Squadra Azzurra” bench to begin his new tenure against a particularly challenging opponent.
In League B, Georgia hosts Northern Ireland at 7:00 p.m., with Kvaratskhelia and Mikautadze serving as the home team’s key offensive weapons. At 9:45 p.m., three more matches will take place, with Hungary hosting Ukraine, Poland facing Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Sweden hosting Romania. Of particular interest is the presence of Viktor Gokeres, who was the top scorer of the 2024–25 Nations League with nine goals.
There is great interest in League C, where Cyprus faces a tough away match against Montenegro at 9:45 p.m., with Akis Mantzios’s team declaring “ready” for a positive result. Earlier, at 7:00 p.m., Armenia faces Latvia, with all four teams vying for first place, which leads to direct promotion to League B. Montenegro has home-field advantage and quality on offense, but Cyprus will look to kick off its new campaign in the tournament with a win.
Tonight’s schedule
: Georgia vs. Northern Ireland 7:00
p.m. Armenia vs. Latvia 7:00
p.m. Italy-Belgium 9:45
p.m. Turkey vs. France 9:45
p.m. Hungary vs. Ukraine 9:45
p.m. Polandvs. Bosnia and Herzegovina 9:45
p.m. Sweden vs. Romania 9:45
p.m. Montenegro vs. Cyprus 9:45 p.m.
*photo source: AP
