Third Place Euro 2024: Determining Knockout Stage Opponents
The Euro 2024 group stage has concluded, setting the stage for thrilling knockout rounds. A unique aspect of the tournament is how teams finishing third in their groups can advance. This article explains how these “Third Place Euro 2024” teams are determined and how their opponents in the round of 16 are decided.
UEFA predetermined a grid outlining which third-placed teams would face which group winners based on which groups produced the four qualifying third-place finishers. This system, implemented before the tournament began, ensures fairness and eliminates any potential bias. The allocation is solely based on the grid, regardless of a team’s ranking among the third-place finishers.
The final group standings saw Slovenia (Group C), Netherlands (Group D), Slovakia (Group E), and Georgia (Group F) qualify as the four best third-placed teams. Hungary (Group A) and Croatia (Group B) finished third in their respective groups but did not advance. This resulted in a CDEF configuration – using the first letter of each group providing a qualifying third-place team. The pre-tournament grid dictated the following round of 16 matchups based on this CDEF scenario:
- England vs. Slovakia
- Spain vs. Georgia
- Portugal vs. Slovenia
- Romania vs. Netherlands
A different outcome in the group stage would have resulted in a different set of pairings. For instance, if Georgia hadn’t upset Portugal, the configuration would have been ACDE (Groups A, C, D, and E). This would have led to these matchups:
- England vs. Netherlands
- Spain vs. Slovakia
- Portugal vs. Hungary
- Romania vs. Slovenia
This predetermined grid system highlights the importance of every match in the Euro 2024 group stage. Even finishing third can provide a pathway to the knockout rounds, adding another layer of complexity and excitement to the tournament. The “third place Euro 2024” concept ensures a dynamic and unpredictable competition, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.