For the rest of Europe, Northern Macedonia was only at Euro 2020 to compensate for the figures.
They had somehow managed to qualify for the playoffs and were unlikely to return to a major international tournament at any time in the near future, so the general consensus was “good for you to come here, but it’s only fair that you is now on the receiving end of three cricket points in the group stage before departing with a smile and a wave.
We think it’s fair to say that Eljif Elmas and his teammates had other ideas.
While the record books show the dreaded zero in the score next to their names after their clashes with Austria, Ukraine and the Netherlands, the reality is that they were in every single competition and were lucky enough to leave without points.
Only two late Austria strikes denied them a point in their opening, Ukraine beat them by just one goal and despite being beaten 3-0 by the Netherlands, they collected an impressive 13 shots on goal, with VAR cruelly excluding two strikes.
Some people may say “whip boys” but we see a completely different version of events and central to their efforts was Elmas.
• Eljif Elmas • Naples • Northern Macedonia • 21 years old
At 9 pm, Elmas has been a decisive start for Northern Macedonia for about three years! ?
Welcome to our 21st, Eljif! ??
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) June 7, 2021
The Napoli midfielder started his campaign in style and put out a fantastic performance against David Alaba and co even though he ended up on the losing side.
Some of his teammates may have been happy to sit back and play a draw, but he was the opposite, playing progressive balls and picking up small pockets with space where the Austrian players could not get close to him.
The youth’s beautifully weighted through ball to teammate Boban Nikolov almost resulted in a goal that would have given his side a valuable 2-1 lead, but Northern Macedonia would be made to rue their missed opportunity when Austria struck back with two late strikes to hack all three points .
Northern Macedonia went into their second group trip and knew they had to take something from their game against Ukraine to have any chance of advancing to the knockout rounds.
Eljif Elmas meets Frenkie De Jong / BSR Agency / Getty Images
Head coach Igor Angelovski broke down and put the Napoli midfielder in an unknown frontman role together with veteran striker Goran Pandev. The move did not work and his side fought 2-1 in Bucharest, but their defeat had nothing to do with Elma’s performance.
The 21-year-old looked dangerous when Northern Macedonia progressed and he connected well with Pandev, but again the luck was just not on their side and their withdrawal from Euro 2020 after only two matches was confirmed.
Angelovski’s last match at this summer’s European Championship undoubtedly represented their most difficult task in the tournament, not only because of the opposition when they met team leaders the Netherlands, but also because their fate was already sealed and they had nothing to play but pride.
Eljif Elmas dribbles away from Daley Blind / ANP Sport / Getty Images
Still, Elmas once again performed admirably, helping to drive his side forward and supporting the top three after being moved back to his natural midfield.
The result flattered Frank de Boer’s side a bit, with the defense of Northern Macedonia breaking once when Georginio Wijnaldum’s first in the match just after half time had put the game to bed as a competition and the 3-0 score did not tell the full story.
Elmas and his teammates saw a threat all the time and if it were not for a bad finish they would have left Euro 2020 after finding the net in all three of their group games.
Northern Macedonia may have been written off by many people before the tournament – and it turns out they were right, so well done you, dear lord what a sad little life – but they made themselves and their country proud.
Elmas challenges for the ball / MARKO DJURICA / Getty Images
Euro 2020 may have signaled the end of national hero Pandev’s international career, but that does not mean that their hopes of reaching another international tournament have now been extinguished – far from it.
Elma’s performances at Euro 2020 showed that he was good enough to cut it to the top level and with him in the heart of midfield, it may not be long before we see Northern Macedonia back on the big stage again.
