It is win-or-go-home time in Germany.
Euro 2024 is shifting gears to the knockout section after one other dramatic day within the opening spherical closed the curtain on the group stage.
The spherical of 16 was finalized Wednesday because the remaining locations have been snatched up by Romania, Belgium, Slovakia, Turkey, and Georgia.
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Romania surprisingly claimed high spot in Group E by drawing Slovakia, whereas Belgium completed in second place with a goalless draw that eradicated Ukraine.
However the largest story of the day occurred later within the later video games. Georgia pulled off a surprising upset towards Group F winner Portugal, beating the 2016 European champion 2-0 to safe an sudden knockout-round berth as top-of-the-line third-place groups. Turkey completed second after successful 2-1 to finish Czechia’s Euro 2024 marketing campaign.
Together with solidifying eight interesting encounters, the top of the group stage affords a clearer image as to which nations would possibly play one another because the match progresses.
The bracket is noticeably unbalanced as a consequence of how the opening spherical unfolded. There are 5 former European champions on one facet, with Spain, Germany, France, Portugal, and Denmark successful the match a mixed 10 instances since 1960.
The quarterfinals may characteristic Germany taking over Spain, whereas Portugal may play France in a rematch of the 2016 Euro ultimate. That is assuming they will efficiently dispatch their respective opponents within the spherical of 16, which, as this match is exhibiting, is something however a certainty.
On the opposite facet, perennial contenders like England, Italy, and the Netherlands have a smoother path. Nevertheless, there might be a rematch of the Euro 2020 ultimate, as England and Italy may meet within the quarterfinals.
There are additionally some recent faces within the spherical of 16 which have by no means performed a knockout sport on the Euros, corresponding to Slovenia and match debutant Georgia.
Hungary and Croatia ended up lacking out on the spherical of 16, ending as the underside two third-place groups.
After two days off, Euro 2024 will resume Saturday, when Switzerland takes on Euro 2020 winner Italy in Berlin earlier than host Germany faces Denmark in Dortmund.
England performs Slovakia the subsequent day within the early sport, which shall be adopted by Spain’s conflict with Georgia. France and Portugal are in motion Monday towards Belgium and Slovenia, respectively.
The spherical of 16 concludes Tuesday, July 2 with Romania taking over the Netherlands earlier than Austria locks horns with Turkey.
