It’s a time for excitement and a case of dreams being made as North Macedonia gear up for their first-ever major tournament. North Macedonia reached the 2020 European Championships via their performance in the 2018/19 Nations League competition.
Optimism, excitement and pride are in abundance across the playing squad and the two million citizens of the Balkan country. Led by Igor Angelovski, North Macedonia will head into Euro 2020, determined not to just make up the numbers.
The team at Last Word on Football has put together a country profile so that you can have the complete rundown ahead of the competition kicking off in June.
Everything You Need to Know About North Macedonia Ahead of Euro 2020
Who is the North Macedonia National Team Coach?
North Macedonia are led by the loyal Igor Angelovski. Angelovski has been in charge of the national side for six years and is truly honoured to led his country into their first major tournament.
A midfielder in his playing career, Angelovski played in several countries including Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia. Angelovski ventured into management in 2013 taking charge of North Macedonian side Rabotnicki.
He would simultaneously take charge of the national side in October 2015 before eventually leaving Rabotnicki to take on the national job full time in December 2015.
During his time as a club manager, Angelovski won a league title and two cups. He has taken North Macedonia to new heights and excitement is building ahead of their major tournament debut.
Who Has Been Selected in the North Macedonia Squad For Euro 2020?
Angelovski has named a squad mixed with talent, youth and experience. Led by the evergreen Goran Pandev, the players will relish the chance to showcase their abilities on the biggest stage of all.
Thirty-seven-year-old Goran Pandev will be the go-to man for goals and leadership. He has plied his trade across several countries but has always been a dependable servant for his country. Unsurprisingly, he scored the winner against Georgia to secure their place at Euro 2020.
GK – Stole Dimitrievski (Rayo Vallecano), Risto Jankov (Rabotnicki), Damjan Shishkovski (Doxa Katokopias)
Defenders – Egzon Bejtulai (Shkendija), Gjoko Zajkov (Charleroi), Kire Ristevski (Ujpest), Visar Musliu (Fehervar), Ezgjan Alioski (Leeds United), Stefan Ristovski (Dinamo Zagreb), Darko Velkovski (Rijeka)
Midfielders – Arijan Ademi (Dinamo Zagreb), Ferhan Hasani (Partizani), Tihomir Kostadinov (Ruzomberok), Boban Nikolov (Lecce), Enis Bardhi (Levante), Stefan Spirovski (AEK Larnaca), Elif Elmas (Napoli), Darko Churlinov (VFB Stuttgart), Milan Ristovski (Spartak Trnava)
Forwards – Ivan Trichkovski (AEK Larnaca), Aleksandar Trajkovski (Mallorca), Goran Pandev (Genoa), Vlatko Stojanovski (Chambly), Krste Velkoski (Sarajevo), Marjan Radeski (Akademija Pandev), Daniel Avramovski (Kayserispor)
Igor Angelovski Has Squad Full of Big League Players
As well as Goran Pandev, the North Macedonia squad is full of players plying their trade in some of Europe’s biggest leagues.
Midfielder Enis Bardhi has been one of the most consistent performances in La Liga. He has helped Levante stabilise and establish themselves in Spain’s top flight. While 21-year-old Elif Elmas has burst on the scene in Serie A with Napoli. He made 33 appearances in the league last season and helped Napoli secure a fifth-place finish.
The versatile Ezgjan Alioski also has major experience. Having helped Leeds United to Premier League promotion, Alioski helped Marcelo Bielsa’s team finish ninth in their first season back in England’s top flight.
Plenty of quality and experience for Igor Angelovski to call upon as they embark on their exciting European adventure.
Group Stages
North Macedonia will compete in Group C alongside Austria, the Netherlands and Ukraine. A tough group but they will relish the challenge ahead. Their first-ever game at a major tournament will be against Austria.
Several new records will be set in the history of North Macedonia in what is set to be an amazing adventure however long it lasts.
Austria v North Macedonia – June 13, 5pm BST
Ukraine v North Macedonia – June 17, 2pm BST
North Macedonia v Netherlands – June 21, 5pm BST
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