07/01/2026. Europe is on fire, Northern Ireland wants to shake up the hierarchy.

Season 145 marks the start of a new European football competition, as eagerly awaited as ever, and as unpredictable as ever. The continent's nations are preparing to do battle in a tough group stage, where every match will count double. Among them, Northern Ireland is advancing with ambition, pride and a clear desire to play spoilsport in a group that is as evenly matched as it is explosive.

Often regarded as underdogs, Northern Ireland has a rich and inspiring history. The legend George Best, winner of the 1968 Ballon d'Or and eternal icon of Northern Irish football, has risen from the ashes like a phoenix, like his predecessors FYM. He will have the onerous task of leading his heirs to the success he himself enjoyed.

For this group stage, the challenge is enormous. The Northern Irish will have to contend with Albania, led by coach Coumba, a team renowned for its intensity and tactical discipline. Brutus's Denmark, solid and experienced, will be the group's benchmark, while Paul's Poland, always dangerous at major tournaments, will bring their power and realism to the table. Four styles, four visions of the game, for a battle that promises to be fierce.

But true to their DNA, Northern Ireland are not resigned. Buoyed by a close-knit team, a fighting spirit and a culture of going the extra mile, it hopes to beat the odds and enter the race for qualification. As the 145th season gets underway, one thing is certain: the Northern Irish will not be there to make up the numbers, but to remind Europe that underdogs sometimes have the last word.

We are the BEST! Lalallala lalala #BolleartNotreTemple

Group A's minnows will be hoping to put in a good showing on their return to the competition.
Bosnia, with a rich record of achievement, is back with the long-term aim of upsetting a very high-quality hierarchy.
They already have a big derby against our Croatian friends.
Good competition to all

Match against Belgium
Germany v Belgium
0 a 0
#match?mid=6624097
Well done to the Belgians 🍟🍻

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🇪🇦 Spain 1 - 3 Finland 🇫🇮

Finland enter the competition with a fine victory!
By opening the scoring quickly and then doubling the lead a few moments later, Finland made the match easier for themselves!

A real Scottish hold-up
#match?mid=6628216

England-Bosnia 3-1, a superb match to watch, a logical victory, but Bosnia did not lose out and hopes to progress little by little.

Galywat: Holà,

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Remplace les parenthèses par des crochets, et dans les crochets tu mets url= le lien que tu veux

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The Irish Time. A brilliant start: Northern Ireland strikes hard.

Northern Ireland sent out a clear message to the rest of Europe in their first match of the 145th season. Up against Denmark in Brutus, despite being tipped as one of the group favourites, the Northern Irish delivered a performance full of courage and determination, ending with a clear-cut 4-1 victory.

From the outset, the Northern Irish set the pace with intense pressure and solidarity at all times. Far from relying on individual exploits, it was the strength of the team that made the difference, with each line working for the other with remarkable discipline. Faced with an opponent renowned for its skill and experience, Northern Ireland never looked back.

One goal after another on the scoreboard symbolised this shared victory: UpRichard, Edgar, Mayne and Burgess each found the net, rewarding the hard work of the whole team. Each goal was the result of a well-constructed move, reflecting a united group fully committed to their game.

Despite a Danish goal, the Northern Irish never doubted. Their response was immediate, controlled and always driven by a shared desire to play forward. This inaugural win is the perfect start to their European campaign and confirms one thing: Northern Ireland are determined not to be underdogs in this competition, but to be one of the major players.

Georges Best: It's a dream start to the competition for the people of Northern Ireland. I think that today we've earned the right to enjoy a good pint of Guinness in front of Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney, who I'd like to remind you won the world title in 2025 for Northern Ireland. Now it's up to us to give these people the honour they deserve. See you tomorrow against the Albanian ogre.

🇨🇾 3-0 🇦🇩
Logical defeat, once again we didn't exist

The Irish Times: A tricky trip and a lesson to be learned for Northern Ireland

After an impressive start to their campaign, Northern Ireland knew that their second match in Europe's VFFA competition would be a far trickier test. In the end, the trip to Albania turned out to be a real trap, with a 3-1 defeat forcing the Northern Irish to take a clear and necessary look at themselves.

In a raucous stadium, buoyed by an incandescent crowd, Northern Ireland's men were quickly confronted by Albania's constant aggression. With their intense duels, chaotic pace and constant pressure, Albania were able to impose a hostile environment perfectly, catching a Northern Ireland side perhaps still buoyed by the euphoria of their opening win.

Caught in the trap of this fiery atmosphere and a commitment that sometimes bordered on the extreme, the Northern Irish were never really able to settle into their collective game. Overconfidence, however slight, seems to have cost them dearly against an opponent perfectly prepared for this battle. Despite reacting and scoring a goal that for a while gave hope of a comeback, Northern Ireland lacked the control and composure to turn the tide.

As frustrating as this defeat was, it did serve as a reminder of the demands of Europe's top level. Nothing can be taken for granted, and every match is won through commitment and concentration. All eyes now turn to the final group match, which promises to be decisive. Northern Ireland will have to learn from this setback and rediscover their humility and team spirit if they hope to continue their adventure. The time has come to question themselves, but also to mobilise everyone: their destiny remains in their own hands.

Albania off to a flying start, Northern Ireland held at bay (3-1)

Albania got off to a flying start in their World Cup opener. Up against Northern Ireland, who had won their opening game, the Albanians put in a masterful performance to win 3-1 at the Gulag on Thursday.

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Croatia 0-1 England
Defeat in the 88th😭😭😭 I thought it was a draw until the end congratulations to this great England team

Germany v Norway
Lost 2 a o
Two suspended and one injured
#match?mid=6632113
Pfffffff

Cyprus beat Montenegro 1-0 #match?mid=6634308

7-0 defeat by Italy
That certainly marked the end of my history with Andorra.
The challenge is too difficult

Unexpected 0-2 Belgian victory in Norway 👍👍👍

#match?mid=6633352

Iceland-Bosnia 1-2 piratical victory for Bosnia over courageous Iceland, who took the lead and held out for a long time against Bosnia's ramming attacks. A Bosnian tactical adjustment made it possible to win in the dying moments.
Well done to Iceland for their intense match against a very nervous Bosnian side.

🇫🇮 Finland 0 - 0 Latvia 🇱🇻

In a very tight match against a good Latvian team, the spectators were bored, very few chances (only 3).

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Table updated.

Scottish victory over Germany.
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Croatia 8-0 Island

Montenegro beat Andorra 6-0

Bosnia-Croatia 1-2
Despite Bosnia's dominance and chances, Croatia were very good in front of goal, unlike Bosnia.
In the end, Bosnia exited the competition
We didn't lose because we learned from it

Hello
Latest match Latvia vs Macedonia
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Score 0 to 0

🇫🇮 Finland 1 - 0 Macedonia 🇲🇰

In a difficult match with very few chances, the Finns were able to open the scoring quickly and hold on to the lead!
First place for a Finnish team that is continuing to progress and has reached the finals once again!

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Scotland and Belgium draw
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Albania 1 - 1 Denmark
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Montenegro beat Italy three goals to one #match?mid=6645062

⚽ Albania 1-1 Denmark
A frustrating match... but encouraging

Albania started strongly and immediately set the pace. Taipi opened the scoring in the 7th minute, rewarding an intense start. The game was flowing, the chances were flowing, and Albania seemed to have the match well in hand.

But despite their clear domination and numerous dangerous situations (Taipi again, Dolberg, Lutaj, Liçaj...), the break never came. Denmark suffered, made more mistakes, hung on... and stayed alive.

And as is often the case in these cruel scenarios, the penalty came at the end of the match: in the 88th minute, Hylldgaard took advantage of a moment's hesitation to equalise and snatch a draw.

Final score: 1-1, with a bitter taste for Albania, who clearly deserved better given the content.

Poland-Northern Ireland: football back to basics.

The final match in the group was something of a turning point, almost a manifesto. Faced with a young, ambitious and playful Poland, Northern Ireland came out with a completely new look, a direct consequence of the debacle they suffered in Albania. The squad was radically overhauled, and the change was almost symbolic. Gone were the stars, sidelined after losing the very essence of the sport: humility, commitment and respect for the team.

In their place, an unexpected but deeply sincere team: eleven ordinary citizens from the Irish working world. Workers, employees, everyday craftsmen, all united under the same jersey, driven by a simple but powerful idea: to defend a country before defending names. On the pitch, no superfluous gestures, no calculations. Just sweat, runs, duels, and solidarity at all times.

Against them, the young Poles tried to impose their rhythm and freshness. Technically more fluid at times, Poland nonetheless came up against a disciplined Northern Irish block, animated by a collective rage and a rare generosity. Every ball was fought for like the last, every metre gained wrested more from the heart than from talent.

The match, bitter and committed, sometimes lacked control, but never authenticity. Northern Ireland may not have shone, but they found their soul. The soul of grassroots football, where the collective takes precedence over the individual. Whatever the sporting consequences of this decisive encounter, that evening the Northern Irish reminded the entire competition of a fundamental truth: football belongs first and foremost to those who play it with sincerity.

In this tough group, Northern Ireland will have experienced ups and downs, but above all a renaissance. And sometimes, in the pages of a newspaper, the most important story is not the scoreline, but that of a rediscovered identity.

Poland 0 - 2 Northern Ireland