North Macedonia out to enjoy maiden big stage appearance

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualification Play off - North Macedonia v Kosovo - National Arena Toshe Proeski Stadium, Skopje, North Macedonia - October 8, 2020 North Macedonia players pose for a team group photo before the match

SKOPJE (Reuters) - North Macedonia finally put themselves on the soccer map by reaching their first major tournament as an independent nation when they qualified for Euro 2020 after three decades in the doldrums at club and international level.

Having gained independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, North Macedonia had never come close to appearing on the big stage before a 1-0 win over Georgia in their playoff final propelled them to the June 11-July 11 tournament.