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Europe's ultimate underdog can qualify for their first international tournament at Euro 2024

Luxembourg are on the cusp of their greatest footballing achievement to date as they face Georgia on Thursday in the hope of reaching the European Championship for the first time

Luxembourg are hoping to qualify for their first ever international tournament
Luxembourg are hoping to qualify for their first ever international tournament (Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

European minnows Luxembourg can qualify for their first ever international tournament at Euro 2024.


Luxembourg hold the unwanted record for the most matches without qualifying for a World Cup or the European Championship. The small nation, with a population of just over 600,000, spent decades facing drubbings from other nations.


But now The Grand Duchy are just two games away from reaching their first ever major tournament. They visit Georgia in the first Euro 2024 play-off on Thursday, and should they win, will play either Kazakhstan or Greece to reach the finals in Germany.


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Luxembourg Football Federation president Paul Philipp, who earned 54 caps during the “difficult” periods, said: "We weren't necessarily expecting a direct qualification, but you can always dream. We mustn't lose sight of the fact we are a very small country and are never going to become European champions.

“The fact we are playing at such a high level is quite extraordinary. We're certainly not favourites in these matches. But in football a lot is possible."

Do you think Luxembourg will qualify for the Euros? Let us know in the comments section below.


They achieved the incredible feat of finishing third in Group J in qualifying
They achieved the incredible feat of finishing third in Group J in qualifying(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Luxembourg registered two wins over Bosnia-Herzegovina which proved crucial in their qualifying campaign. They won and drew against Iceland, while also drawing to Slovakia as they finished third in Group J.

Luc Holtz took on the once dreaded job of managing Luxembourg back in 2010, having made 55 international appearances himself as a player. Now football’s longest-serving international head coach, he has been able to clinch famous draws against France and Italy during his tenure, as well as a win over Switzerland.

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Manager Luc Holtz is international football's longest-serving head coach
Manager Luc Holtz is international football's longest-serving head coach(Image: Getty Images)

"We had to change a lot when I took over, especially the mentality of the players," Holtz explained. "We are no longer anxious but play with courage. In the past everything was based on defence but nowadays we are more focused on ball possession and pressing high."

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