GUDELJ'S SERBIA QUALIFY FOR THE EUROS FOR THE FIRST TIME AS AN INDEPENDENT NATION

Serbia have qualified for next summer's Euro 2024, held in Germany. Although they were already guaranteed a spot in the playoffs thanks to the UEFA Nations League, draw against Bulgaria means that they have qualified automatically. Interestingly, the team that Serbia denied automatic qualification to was Montenegro, a country that was also a part of Yugoslavia during the 2000 Euros, played in Belgium and the Netherlands. This is the first time Serbia have qualified for the Euros since that tournament, and it is therefore their first time as an independent nation.

With Gudelj named in the starting XI, Serbia only needed a point against the bottom team in the group, Bulgaria. Things started perfectly with Veljkovic scoring early on. The goal came from a rebound after Gudelj had a shot saved. However, Bulgaria turned the game on its head with two goals in the second half. With Montenegro also ahead against Hungary, things were not looking good for Serbia.

But Hungary came from behind to win 3-1 and Leskovac equalised for Serbia, meaning that Serbia will be playing in Germany next summer. Gudelj will now return to us having finished his international duty, as well as Lukebakio and Jesús Navas, who didn't feature in Belgium's 5-0 victory against Azerbaijan and Spain's 3-1 win in Valladolid against Georgia respectively.