November 19, (THEWILL) – Serbia booked their place at next year’s European Championships in dramatic fashion on Sunday, coming from behind to secure a 2-2 draw with Bulgaria at the Dubocica Stadium in Leskovac. The point was enough for Serbia to finish second in Group G behind Hungary, who qualified last month.
Serbia took the lead in the 17th minute through centre-back Milos Veljkovic, but Bulgaria equalised through substitute Georgi Rusev in the 59th minute. The visitors then went ahead 10 minutes later courtesy of a goal from Kiril Despodov. However, Serbia refused to give up and equalised in the 82nd minute via Srdjan Babic to salvage the draw they needed.
The comeback draw means Serbia have qualified for Euro 2024, which will take place in Germany next summer. They will join 16 other nations at the tournament, with the draw set to take place in December.
Montenegro missed out on qualification despite beating Hungary 3-1 in Budapest. They needed Serbia to lose to stand any chance of progressing. But Hungary had already secured top spot in Group G.
The qualification campaign concludes an up-and-down year for Serbia, who will now look ahead to the Euros with renewed optimism under manager Dragan Stojkovic.
