Pre-EURO 2020 Friendlies – May 2021

With the club season now over, the preparation for the EURO 2020 is in full swing, all across the continent now. Every team is looking for ideal opponents to be ready for their start into the postponed tournament. Here is a look at what has been moving where until 31 May 2021.

 

23 May 2021

 

Ukraine vs. Bahrain (in Kharkiv)

 

The first reported game happened in Kharkiv, where the Ukraine hosted Bahrain for a one-off friendly. While other teams from outside Europe would usually embark on a tour for several games, Bahrain travelled back home the day after the game, which ended 1-1.

 

GF7020 BAH 0900-1400 HRK A20N A9C-TB (20/05/21)

GF7021 HRK 1410-xxxx BAH A20N A9C-TB (24/05/21)

 

27 May 2021

 

Turkey vs. Azerbaijan (in Alanya)

 

Two traditional befriended countries meeting before a final tournament is an absolute classic. Turkey hosted Azerbaijan in Alanya, before they would go into camp in the region and long before they would travel to Baku actually, where their base camp during EURO 2020 will be. Turkey assembled in Istanbul and travelled south with Turkish Airlines. 

 

TK3340 IST 0900-1000 AYT B738 (21/05/21)

AHY4101 GYD 1100-1245 AYT A319 4K-AZ04 (25/05/21)

AHY4102 AYT 1330-1700 GYD A319 4K-AZ04 (25/05/21, ferry flt)

 

28 May 2021

 

Italy vs. San Marino (in Cagliari)

 

An easy game in preparation for a big tournament is an approach often taken by coaching teams. Italy picked their own neighbour San Marino for a kickabout in Cagliari. One of Europe’s best-known football minnows, San Marino travelled over from Rimini with Air Dolomiti, while Italy travelled back to the mainland to assemble at their main base in Coverciano later on.

 

EN5030 RMI 1000-1115 CAG E195 I-ADJN (27/05/21)

AZ9000 CAG 0030-0200 MXP 0300-0345 FCO A319 EI-IMS (29/05/21)

AZ9004 CAG 0035-0115 FCO A319 EI-IMT (29/05/21)

EN5031 CAG 0030-0145 RMI E195 I-ADJN (29/05/21)

 

29 May 2021

 

Sweden vs. Finland (in Solna)

 

Qualified for a final tournament for the very first time, Finland will look to get in shape with a couple of friendlies. The first one takes place at Friends Arena in Solna, against neighbours Sweden. Finland travelled there with Finnair, on an EMB-190, while Sweden arrived by plane as well, from their training camp down South in Ängelholm. They flew back to Stockholm on an SAS A320neo. Finland will travel back to Helsinki the day after the game.

 

AY7551 HEL 1200-1200 ARN E190 OH-LKF (28/05/21)

SK7010 AGH 1600-1710 ARN A20N SE-ROA (28/05/21)

AY7552 ARN 1630-1830 HEL E190 (30/05/21)

Mexico vs. Iceland (in Arlington, USA)

The Iceland football team did not qualify for EURO 2020, but are using this summer for some friendlies. First up, it has been a trip to the U.S., where they face strong opponents in Mexico, who are gearing up for a CONCACAF tournament. They travelled to Arlington from Keflavik with Icelandair, using one of their Boeing 757s:

FI1045 KEF 1100-1400 DFW B752 TF-FIO (26/05/21)

FI1044 DFW xxxx-2100 KEF B752 TF-FIO (30/05/21)

 

30 May 2021

 

Switzerland vs. USA (in St. Gallen)

 

The Swiss team has picked St. Gallen as their place for pre-tournament friendlies this year. The first of two visitors will be the USA, who will then embark on a plane back home for another two games. They will play in the CONCACAF Nations League there, while Switzerland will head back to their training base in Bad Ragaz.

Update: The Americans had been training in Crans-Montana before, on altitude, to prepare for their Nations League appearances at Mile High Field, some 1600m above sea level. They chartered a Helvetic EMB-190 to travel from Sion to Altenrhein on their way from Crans to St. Gallen.

2L1850 ZRH 1430-1505 SIR E190 HB-JVO (29/05/21, ferry flt)

2L8851 SIR 1715-1800 ACH E190 HB-JVO (29/05/21)

2L1851 ACH 1830-1900 ZRH E190 HB-JVO (29/05/21, ferry flt)

B8 800 ORY xxxx-1700 ZRH A21N (30/05/21, ferry flt)

B8 550 ZRH 1130-xxxx DEN A21N (31/05/21)

La Compagnie Airbus A321neo F-HBUZ seen at Basel-Mulhouse in May 2019.