First ever UEFA Nations League draw. Romania in group with Serbia, Montenegro, Lithuania

The draw for the first UEFA Nations League in Lausanne has seen the likes of Germany, France and the Netherlands grouped together in its top league.

Belgium, Switzerland and Iceland, Portugal, Italy and Poland, and Spain, England and Croatia make up the other groups in League A. The remaining 43 teams have been split among groups in three further leagues based on UEFA seedings, each comprising of four sections apiece, fifa.com informs.

With the group stage running between September and November 2018, the new tournament has been introduced to provide a competitive alternative to friendlies in Europe, allowing teams to face similarly-ranked sides, as well as offering relegation and promotion between leagues.

The four League A group winners will contest at the Nations League Finals in June 2019, while the competition will also provide a secondary path to UEFA EURO 2020 for sides who miss out in the traditional ten-group qualifiers. The top two in each EURO 2020 qualifying group will qualify, with the top 16 sides based on Nations League rankings battling for the final four tournament spots through playoffs in March 2020.

National team coach, Cosmin Contra: A balanced group

“We are in a difficult group, a balanced group, but we can fight against all opponents. I am optimistic, my goal remains to win the group in order to have a chance to qualify for the European Championship in 2020. I want fans to support us in this new competition. For them we will fight, for them we will try to win the group,” said Cosmin Contra, according to the official website of Romanian Football Federation (FRF).

UEFA Nations League draw

League A

Group 1: Germany France, the Netherlands

Group 2: Belgium, Switzerland, Iceland

Group 3: Portugal, Italy, Poland

Group 4: Spain, England, Croatia

League B

Group 1: Slovakia, Ukraine, Czech Republic

Group 2: Russia, Sweden, Turkey

Group 3: Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Ireland

Group 4: Wales, Republic of Ireland, Denmark

League C

Group 1: Scotland, Albania, Israel

Group 2: Hungary, Greece, Finland, Estonia

Group 3: Slovenia, Norway, Bulgaria, Cyprus

Group 4: Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Lithuania

League D

Group 1: Georgia, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Andorra

Group 2: Belarus, Luxembourg, Moldova, San Marino

Group 3: Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands, Malta, Kosovo

Group 4: FYR Macedonia, Armenia, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar

The winners of League A proceed to the finals, while four teams will be relegated from Leagues A to B, B to C and C to D. Four will be promoted from Leagues D to C, C to B and B to A.

The group stage fixtures will take place in September and November 2018.

Matchday 1: Sep 6-8

Matchday 2: Sept 9-11

Matchday 3: Oct 11-13

Matchday 4: Oct 14-16

Matchday 5: Nov 15-17

Matchday 6: Nov 18-20

Finals: June 5-9, 2019

photo: uefa.com