Macedonia’s Under-21 national team faces a run of three matches in a period of just eight days. The players selected by the new head coach Aleksandar Tanevski will first play a friendly match against Russia’s Under-20 team, followed by two qualifying fixtures in the current European Championship cycle.
The match against Russia is scheduled for 28 September at the „Petar Miloshevski“ Training Centre, while in the qualifying cycle Macedonia will face Montenegro in Bitola on 1 October. Four days later, on 5 October, they will travel to face Sweden in Falkenberg.
Ahead of the upcoming challenges, national team player Nikola Manojlov says that the atmosphere in the team is excellent and that everyone is fully motivated to give their best for the national shirt.
„The atmosphere in the national team is excellent, and we are all fully motivated and focused on the challenges ahead. We communicate excellently with one another, we are working well in training, and there is a desire for positive results. Our coaching staff has analysed in detail the opponents awaiting us, Russia, Montenegro and Sweden. We know that every national team has its own qualities and specific characteristics, which is why we are preparing seriously for each match individually. The most important thing is to remain united and disciplined and to fulfil the tasks we are given. We believe in our qualities and, with maximum commitment, we want to show that we have a quality team capable of competing with strong sides,“ says Manojlov.
Ahead of the final two qualifying matches for EURO 2027, Macedonia are fifth in Group E. After eight matches played, Macedonia have six points. Poland top the group with 24 points, ahead of Italy on 21, while Montenegro and Sweden have 10 points each. Armenia are bottom without a point.
