Germany 0-0 Greece: Nmecha has a shot from outside the box as Germany continue to dominate but struggle to create clearcut chances.

Chris Parakevas gets in touch: “Doubtless Otto Rehhagel will be pleased with the 0-0 scoreline, though I haven’t seen him in attendance - he was present at the Real Madrid vs Werder Bremen Legends game recently, reunited with Angelos Charisteas (...the latter playing for Bremen, not Real). King Otto is 88 now, but seemed in pretty good shape.

“Earlier this week Jurgen Klopp did share a nice little story about meeting Otto: Klopp was relaxing on a beach, only to have his sun rudely blocked by a stranger...annoyed, he looked up to find it was none other than the King himself. Actually sounds like Jurgen got away with one there. Wouldn’t want to cross King Otto...”

Israel 0-3 Ireland: The game’s significance has little to do with the football but this has been a fine performance from Heimir Hallgrimsson’s team. He and his coaches can be heard urging on their team, who are pressing like crazy.

An Ireland fan gets in touch: “I have so much sympathy with everyone in this situation for the Ireland players, and obviously very little for Uefa, but in such a difficult and controversial match, I have huge respect for Gavin Bazunu who has taken a stand and equally those who have taken to the field and started so well. It’s possibly the worse situation you can be put into.

“To start well and deliver probably their best 30 minutes of football in HH’s reign is extremely impressive. Respect to the BIG. Hope this utterly avoidable situation doesn’t have a lasting effect for the national team or any individual.”

Israel 0-2 Ireland: The Irish attacks have been incisive, the Israeli defence caught cold. Much better than that drab showing against Kosovo.

Justin Kavanagh gets in touch: “With regards to Bridgid Brennan’s fine comment on Gavin Bazunu, can I add that whatever happens today, the Irish public has probably already decided who the man of the match is. And regardless of his future professional prospects or bank account balance, he will never be short of admirers in his home country, where taking a stand on principles is, thankfully, still something to be admired.”

Brigid Brennan gets in touch: “I know this is a football blog but there is something that I feel really needs to be mentioned in a football context about Gavin Bazunu opting not to play against Israel. There was a suggestion that some players were worried that taking part would affect future career opportunities.

”I have some sympathy for the players who have been put in this position due to a lack of leadership from Uefa, FAI, Irish Govt and even unions like the PFA & FifPro. I hope that Gavin Bazunu’s decision is respected by even those who disagree with him but it will be interesting to see what happens him going forward.”

Norway v Portugal starting lineups

Norway: Nyland, Aursnes, Heggem, Ajer, Ryerson, Berg, Berge, Ødegaard, Nusa, Haaland, Schjelderup

Portugal: Costa, Mendes, Rúben Dias, Veiga, Cancelo, Conceição, Palhinha, Neto, João Neves, Ramos, Félix

Germany v Greece starting lineups:

Germany: Nübel - Vagnoman, Tah, Bisseck, Brown - Kimmich ©, Nmecha, Conté - Schade, Ebnoutalib, Adeyemi

Greece: Tzolakis - Vagiannidis, Mavropanos, Retsos, Tsimikas - Zafeiris, Androutsos - Karetsas, Tetteh, Tzolis - Pavlidis ©

That Portugal starting lineup: Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Francisco Conceicao, Pedro Neto, Palhinha; Joao Neves, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos

Ramos comes in for Ronaldo, while Joao Neves replaces an injured Bruno Fernandes.

Israel v Ireland starting teams

Israel: D Peretz, Mizrachi, Stoyanov, Shlomo, Revivo, E Peretz, Kanichowsky, Gloukh, Khalaili, Solomon, Turgeman.

Ireland: Kelleher; Manning, Kitching, O’Shea, O’Brien, Abankwah; Molumby, Coventry; Moylan, Idah, Parrott.

Press Association snap report on that Wales defeat

Wales wilted in Copenhagen as a 2-0 defeat to Denmark left them bottom of their Nations League group.

After a first half in which Wales were very much second best and fortunate to reach the break level, Denmark’s domination was rewarded by a Ben Davies own goal and a Gustav Isaksen strike.

Wales lost Thursday’s opener to Portugal 1-0 and it leaves them without a point – and a goal – in Group A4, and already facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation.

The Israel v Ireland game comes after a day of intrigue over whether the game would be played at all.

Gavin Bazunu will not take part.

double quotation mark Bazunu, writing on Instagram, said: “Representing my country means everything to me. I have the utmost respect for every single one of my teammates, the manager, his staff, and the Irish people.

“However, I have reached a decision that I have not taken lightly. I am a man of strong faith, and try my best to be a person of character and principle, therefore I feel it would be wrong to participate in the upcoming fixtures against Israel.

“My decision is based purely on my personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong. It is important to note that my stance is not in opposition of the Israeli people or the Jewish community, but against the atrocities in the region.

“There are a few times where you get a chance in life to stand up for something bigger, and I strongly believe that this is one of them.”