The journey to the UEFA Euro 2021 Final was paved with dramatic playoffs, and ESPN brought all the action to fans across the United States. Before the continent’s best clashed in the highly anticipated Euro 2021 tournament, four nations battled fiercely to secure their place. ESPN platforms, including ESPN2 and ESPN+, were the go-to destinations to witness these crucial UEFA EURO 2021 Playoffs Final matches that determined the final teams heading to the European Championship.
On Thursday, November 12, soccer enthusiasts were treated to a thrilling quadruple-header of single-leg matches. These games were not just qualifiers; they were high-stakes encounters where dreams were realized and shattered in 90 minutes (plus added time). ESPN2 and ESPN3 combined to broadcast these pivotal matches, all streaming live on the ESPN App, ensuring fans didn’t miss a single moment of the drama.
The ESPN2 broadcast kicked off with a doubleheader, starting at 12 p.m. ET with Georgia hosting North Macedonia from the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi. This match was followed by another intense showdown at 2:45 p.m. ET between Serbia and Scotland from the Red Star Stadium in Belgrade. Concurrently, ESPN3 streamed the remaining two crucial fixtures: Hungary against Iceland from the Pukas Arena in Budapest, and Northern Ireland versus Slovakia from Windsor Park in Belfast, both starting at 2:45 p.m. ET.
High Stakes and Historic Moments:
These playoff finals were more than just games; they were opportunities for nations to make history and book their tickets to the prestigious UEFA EURO 2021 tournament. The stakes were incredibly high, adding an extra layer of intensity to each match:
- Georgia vs. North Macedonia: This match was particularly significant as it guaranteed one of these nations their first-ever appearance in a European Championship. The dream of Euro 2021 qualification was on the line for both teams, making it a truly historic clash.
- Serbia vs. Scotland: Serbia aimed to qualify for the tournament as an independent nation for the first time, while Scotland was desperate to end their long wait and participate in their first major tournament since Euro 1996 – their third appearance overall. The pressure was immense for both sides to break their respective droughts.
- Hungary vs. Iceland: Hungary, with a history of participation, was vying for their fourth European Championship appearance. Iceland, who captured hearts with their fairytale run to the quarterfinals in France 2016, sought to prove it was no fluke and qualify for their second consecutive Euro tournament.
- Northern Ireland vs. Slovakia: Both Northern Ireland and Slovakia had their sights set on their second European Championship participation. Adding to the drama, both teams had previously reached the round of 16 in Euro 2016, demonstrating their capability to compete at the highest level.
ESPN’s coverage of the UEFA EURO 2021 Qualifying Finals on ESPN2 was anchored by host Kay Murray and analyst Craig Burley in the studio, starting at 12 p.m. ET. Adrian Healey and Alejandro Moreno provided commentary for the Georgia vs. North Macedonia match, while Jon Champion and Taylor Twellman called the Serbia vs. Scotland game, ensuring expert analysis and captivating play-by-play for viewers.
UEFA EURO Playoffs Finals Schedule:
| Date | Time (ET) | Program | Network(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 12 | 11:45 a.m. | UEFA EURO 2021 – Playoffs Final (Studio) | ESPN2 |
| 12 p.m. | Georgia vs. North Macedonia | ESPN2 | |
| 2:45 p.m. | Serbia vs. Scotland | ESPN2 | |
| 2:45 p.m. | Hungary vs. Iceland | ESPN3 | |
| 2:45 p.m. | Northern Ireland vs. Slovakia | ESPN3 |
All matches and times subject to change
Beyond the Playoffs: UEFA Nations League Action on ESPN Platforms
In addition to the crucial Euro 2021 playoff finals, ESPN platforms were also the home for extensive coverage of the UEFA Nations League during the November 2020 FIFA Match Week. A staggering 54 UEFA Nations League matches were broadcast across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, and ESPN3, including ten high-profile clashes between teams ranked in the top 20 of the FIFA World Rankings.
ESPN+ took the lead with 42 live matches, featuring six encounters between top-20 ranked nations. Highlights included the highly anticipated rematch of the UEFA EURO 2016 final between (No. 5) Portugal and (No. 2) France on Saturday, November 14. Spanish national team fans also had reason to tune in, with two games featuring Spain (No. 6): against Switzerland (No. 16) on Saturday and against Germany (No. 14) on Tuesday.
ESPN continued its commitment to top-tier international soccer by televising the highly anticipated match between No. 1 ranked Belgium and No. 4 England on Sunday, November 15, on ESPN. This clash was one of the most significant matches in global soccer during that FIFA match week.
ESPN FC, ESPN+’s flagship daily soccer program, provided comprehensive highlights and in-depth analysis of the UEFA Nations League throughout the FIFA match week, ensuring fans stayed up-to-date with all the latest action and storylines.
UEFA Nations League Matchups of Top-20 FIFA Ranked Teams:
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Platform(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 14 | 2:45 p.m. | (5) Portugal vs. France (2) | ESPN+ |
| 2:45 p.m. | (18) Sweden vs. Croatia (9) | ESPN3 | |
| 2:45 p.m. | (16) Switzerland vs. Spain (6) | ESPN+ | |
| Sun, Nov 15 | 2:45 p.m. | (12) Italy vs. Poland (18) | ESPN+ |
| 2:45 p.m. | (1) Belgium vs. England (4) | ESPN | |
| Tue, Nov 17 | 2:45 p.m. | (9) Croatia vs. Portugal (5) | ESPN2 |
| 2:45 p.m. | (2) France vs. Sweden (19) | ESPN+ | |
| 2:45 p.m. | (6) Spain vs. Germany (14) | ESPN+ | |
| Wed, Nov 18 | 2:45 p.m. | (18) Poland vs. Netherlands (15) | ESPN2 |
| 2:45 p.m. | (1) Belgium vs. Denmark (13) | ESPN+ |
All matches and times subject to change
Conclusion:
ESPN and ESPN+ delivered comprehensive coverage of the UEFA EURO 2021 playoff finals and UEFA Nations League, providing US soccer fans with access to crucial matches and top international talent. The playoff finals, in particular, represented the dramatic conclusion of the Euro 2021 qualification journey, setting the stage for the main tournament and offering unforgettable moments for the nations involved. For soccer fans in the USA, ESPN remained the prime destination to follow the road to the Euro 2021 final and beyond.
About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the leading sports streaming service, offering a vast array of live sports events, original content, and exclusive editorial pieces. With over 8.5 million subscribers, ESPN+ is home to an unparalleled collection of live soccer, featuring thousands of matches annually from top leagues and competitions worldwide. Subscribers can access ESPN+ for $5.99 monthly or $49.99 annually, available through ESPNplus.com, ESPN.com, and the ESPN App. The Disney Bundle, including Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu, is also available for $12.99/month.
