Putting a pause on club football's frenetic fixture list, international competition has taken centre stage three times during the autumn of 2024, with fans around Europe turning their attention to the UEFA Nations League.
During a group phase condensed into just over three months, there was plenty to play for, as promotion, relegation and playoff places were all decided.
League A teams were either vying for a place in the new quarter-final stage, or merely hoping to avoid demotion to the tournament's second tier.
From European champions Spain to minnows San Marino, there have been a diverse range of sides fighting it out for precious points, and Sports Mole makes sense of it all by summing up the final standings.
UEFA Nations League, League A final standings
Group 1
STORY OF THE GROUP
Portugal qualified for the quarter-finals without losing, as the Selecao's superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo struck two in two against Croatia and Scotland - including his 900th goal in senior football - then bagged a brace at home to Poland.
Croatia joined them by picking up a point on the final day, as Scotland failed to beat the Poles by more than one goal.
Defeats in their last two matches saw Poland automatically relegated.
Scotland's final-day victory secured a survival playoff for finishing third, and that will take place in March.
Group 2
STORY OF THE GROUP
Italy were storming through Group 2 until they lost by two goals at home to France - who they beat 3-1 in Paris - meaning the Azzurri had to settle for second place.
Les Bleus topped the group by virtue of a better goal difference and will also take part in the quarter-finals.
Belgium are bound for a relegation playoff due to finishing a distant third.
Despite their shock defeat of the Red Devils on the final matchday, Israel have been automatically demoted.
Group 3
STORY OF THE GROUP
Continental heavyweights Netherlands and Germany both fired home five goals on the opening day, before sharing four in an entertaining encounter between the old foes in Amsterdam.
While the Netherlands then faltered, Die Mannschaft secured top spot with two games to play and strode safely through to the quarter-finals.
The Oranje joined them with victory over Hungary, who will have to take part in a relegation playoff.
Meanwhile, Bosnia-Herzegovina's thrashing by Germany saw them automatically relegated.
Group 4
STORY OF THE GROUP
Not only are Spain reigning European champions, they also hold the UEFA Nations League trophy - and La Roja safely booked a spot in this season's quarter-finals.
Denmark joined them by holding out for a final-day draw against Serbia, who had to settle for third place and a survival playoff.
After picking up just two points, Switzerland were relegated to League B when they failed to beat Serbia in Zurich.
UEFA Nations League, League B final standings
Group 1
STORY OF THE GROUP
Having taken the Nations League route to Euro 2024 - where they improbably made the knockout stage - Georgia returned to the competition in style.
Willy Sagnol's side put four past Czech Republic and then edged out Albania, establishing a three-point lead at the top. However, three losses from four games then took the wind out of their sails and they finished third.
The Czechs overtook them by claiming four points in October, before clinching top spot on the final matchday.
In a particularly tight group, Ukraine nicked a promotion playoff place by beating Albania, who were automatically relegated.
Group 2
STORY OF THE GROUP
There was a significant gap between the top two and the bottom two, as Greece and England led the way.
The Three Lions sealed promotion by beating the Republic of Ireland in their final game.
Runners-up Greece impressively earned a promotion playoff for running England so close.
Finland were relegated after losing to Ireland for a second time; meanwhile, the Boys in Green must win a playoff to retain their League B status.
Group 3
STORY OF THE GROUP
After posting two wins and nine goals in October, Austria were favourites heading into the final round; however, they had to settle for second place after a last-day draw with Slovenia.
Four goals in two games saw an unstoppable Erling Haaland lead Norway to automatic promotion instead.
Slovenia will face a playoff to avoid dropping into League C; rock-bottom Kazakhstan were relegated with one game remaining.
Group 4
STORY OF THE GROUP
Undefeated until the final day, Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Turkey let automatic promotion slip through their grasp by losing in Montenegro and had to settle for a playoff.
An emphatic Wales win over Iceland instead secured first place for Craig Bellamy's boys, who played out two goalless draws with the Crescent-Stars en route to finishing the group unbeaten.
Defeat to the Dragons meant that Iceland must face a relegation playoff in March; despite toppling Turkey, Montenegro are bound for League C.
UEFA Nations League, League C final standings
Group 1
STORY OF THE GROUP
Sweden's top-class strike pair Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres filled their boots in Europe's third tier, and Jon Dahl Tomasson's side sealed top spot with one game to spare.
Slovakia could yet join them in League B, as they have confirmed a promotion playoff for March.
Meanwhile, Estonia secured survival on the penultimate matchday by avoiding defeat to Azerbaijan, who have fallen through the trapdoor into League D.
Group 2
STORY OF THE GROUP
Romania had posted four wins from four and were within minutes of securing promotion before their penultimate game against Kosovo was abandoned in second-half stoppage time.
As a result, top spot will ultimately be decided by UEFA officials, who have yet to rule on which team gets the points.
Cyprus sealed safety by beating Lithuania for a second time, meaning the latter are bound for League D.
Group 3
STORY OF THE GROUP
Northern Ireland took top spot with a 5-0 thumping of Bulgaria in October, before beating Belarus and then clinching promotion by avoiding defeat to last-placed Luxembourg.
Bulgaria are bound for the promotion playoffs, while Belarus will continue in League C after finishing third.
Without a win from six games, Luxembourg face a playoff to stay afloat in Europe's third tier.
Group 4
STORY OF THE GROUP
After being held to a 1-1 draw by Faroe Islands in their first fixture, North Macedonia then seized control with five straight wins - each without conceding a goal.
The Lynxes were promoted as group winners with one game remaining, while Armenia saw off Latvia on the final matchday to claim a promotion playoff.
The latter finished fourth and will face a relegation playoff against League D opponents; the Faroes stayed safe by clinching third place.
UEFA Nations League, League D standings
Group 1
STORY OF THE GROUP
After San Marino's famous success in September - when the tiny microstate claimed their first win for 20 years, and a first-ever competitive victory - they repeated the feat in November.
La Serenissima secured top spot and promotion to Europe's third tier by beating Liechtenstein again on the final matchday - posting their maiden away win in the process.
Gibraltar could yet join San Marino in League C, as they will take part in the playoffs.
Group 2
STORY OF THE GROUP
Moldova safely secured top spot and promotion to League C, conceding only one goal and winning three of their four fixtures.
Malta are set for the promotion playoffs, while Andorra - who finished both winless and goalless - will stay put in League D.
Jonathan O'Shea
