Reasons to Be Cheerful

Success in the Euro Under-21s has given Macedonian football hope for the future.

- Milorad Stojmanovski

Macedonian football has endured some dark days, but there are brighter times on the horizon. In June, the under-21's will take part in the European Championship in Poland – the first time the country has qualified for the finals of a major continental championship. Then, in August, the national stadium – the Philip II Arena in Skopje – will host the UEFA Super Cup between the winners of the Champions League and the Europa League.

After finishing last in their qualifying group for both the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016, the senior national side is currently at rock bottom. And the bad results have continued in the 2018 World Cup campaign, with four defeats in their opening four games and a slump to an all-time low of 155th in FIFA’s rankings.