The final preparations for UEFA EURO 2024 are in place, following the thrilling conclusion of the play-off matches that saw Poland, Ukraine, and Georgia securing their spots in the tournament. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Germany’s iconic cities from June 14 to July 14, 2024, this competition promises football of the highest caliber with 24 teams battling it out over the course of a month.
Euro 2024 Groups
24 teams divided into six groups. Each group consists of four teams, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stages, along with the four best third-placed teams.
Group A Preview: Tactical Depths and Host Nation’s Pride
- Teams: Germany (Host), Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
- Top Match: Germany vs. Scotland, Munich
- Prediction: GLook for Germany and Switzerland to progress. Germany, with the advantage of playing at home and a squad blending youth and experience, along with Switzerland’s consistent performance in recent tournaments, makes them the favorites to advance from this group.
- Historical Context: Germany has three EURO titles to their name, while Switzerland reached the Round of 16 in 2016, their best finish yet.
Check: Euro 2024 Group A Fixtures and Standings
Group B Preview: The Group of Tactical Titans
- Teams: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
- Top Match: Spain vs. Italy, Gelsenkirchen
- Prediction: Spain and Italy, with their strong tournament histories and recent performances, are expected to progress from this challenging group.
- Historical Context: Spain and Italy have both been European champions, with Spain winning three times and Italy once. Croatia’s best was reaching the quarter-finals, while Albania has only made one appearance, in 2016.
Check: Euro 2024 Group B Fixtures and Standings
Group C Preview: High Stakes and Rising Stars
- Teams: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England
- Top Match: Serbia vs. England, Stuttgart
- Prediction: England and Denmark are favored to advance, leveraging England’s attacking prowess and Denmark’s solid team structure.
- Historical Context: Denmark won the tournament in 1992, while England reached the semi-finals in 1996 and the final in 2020.
Check: Euro 2024 Group C Fixtures and Standings
Group D Preview: A Clash of European Heavyweights
- Teams: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France
- Top Match: Netherlands vs. France, Leipzig
- Prediction: France and the Netherlands, both rich in star quality and tactical depth, are expected to lead this group.
- Historical Context: France has won the tournament twice, while the Netherlands won it in 1988. Poland’s best performance came in 2016, reaching the quarter-finals.
Check: Euro 2024 Group D Fixtures and Standings
Group E Preview: Battle of the Underdogs and Dark Horses
- Teams: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine
- Top Match: Belgium vs. Slovakia, Frankfurt
- Prediction: Belgium and Ukraine are likely to progress, with Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ and Ukraine’s resilience.
- Historical Context: Belgium’s best result was being runners-up in 1980, and Ukraine reached the quarter-finals in 2020.
Check: Euro 2024 Group E Fixtures and Standings
Group F Preview: Unpredictable Encounters
- Teams: Türkiye, Georgia, Portugal, Czechia
- Top Match: Portugal vs. Czechia, Leipzig
- Prediction: Portugal and Czechia are expected to move on, with Portugal’s rich history in the tournament, including a win in 2016.
- Historical Context: Portugal was the champion in 2016, while Czechia, historically as Czechoslovakia, won in 1976. Türkiye’s memorable journey to the semi-finals came in 2008.
Check: Euro 2024 Group F Fixtures and Standings
FAQs about EURO 2024 Groups
How are teams qualified for the knockout stages?
The top two teams from each group will automatically qualify for the knockout stages. Additionally, the four best third-placed teams across the groups will also advance, ensuring a second chance for teams in particularly tough groups.
Which team could be the dark horse in EURO 2024?
Ukraine and Denmark are potential dark horses, capable of upsetting traditional powerhouses with their cohesive team play and strategic approaches to each game.
Are there any new teams in this year’s EURO?
Georgia is making its debut at a major tournament, bringing fresh enthusiasm and the unknown factor, which could play to their advantage against more seasoned teams.
How were the teams placed into their respective groups?
Teams were allocated into groups based on a draw that considered their performance in the qualifiers and their overall UEFA national team coefficient rankings to ensure a balanced distribution of teams.
Can a team from a third-place finish still win the tournament?
Yes, a team finishing third in their group can still win the tournament if they are among the four best third-placed teams. They would need to advance through the knockout stages, starting from the round of 16, and win each subsequent round up to and including the final.
What happens if there’s a tie in points in the group stage?
If two or more teams are tied on points at the end of the group stage, the tiebreakers used are: 1) superior goal difference, 2) higher number of goals scored, 3) points obtained in the matches played among the tied teams, 4) superior goal difference from these matches, 5) higher number of goals scored in these matches, and if still tied, further criteria include fair play conduct and finally, a drawing of lots.