FOOTBALL – Football has been dominated by the EURO2020 group stages over the last couple of weeks. But last night saw the last of this as the tables were whittled down to the final sixteen.
There have been many surprises throughout the group stages as everyone battled for the top 2 positions in each group. The top two in each of the six groups were guaranteed their place. For the six teams that finished in third position, only the best four of these would go through.
Group A
Italy were clear winners of group A having kept a clean sheet and winning each game. In second place and therefore qualifying is Wales. Equal in points with third place Switzerland, but Wales were automatic qualifiers due to goal difference.
Group B
Belgium were also clear winners in this group but did concede one goal. Second to qualify were Denmark. Although equal on points with Finland, Denmark go through on goal difference.
Group C
Netherlands and Austria both automatically qualified for the final sixteen.
Group D
England were the leaders in this group, and Croatia go through automatically although the points and goal difference were the same as the Czech Republic, the goals “for” were greater.
Group E
Sweden in the number on spot, and Spain thanks to their fantastic result over Slovakia last night secured their places.
Group F
There was much drama in this group last night as every team needed to win to be guaranteed to go through. In the end, all teams drew and shared the points. This meant only France and Germany were guaranteed their places.
The best of the rest
From the six groups, the countries in third position, only 4 teams would make it to the final sixteen. Switzerland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, and Portugal go through. Whereas for Turkey, Finland, Russia, North Macedonia, Scotland, Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary the competition is over and they go home.
The final sixteen will become eight
From Saturday June 26 the knockout stages will begin. The first game kicks off at 6pm in the Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam when Wales take on Denmark. The winner of this game goes through to the quarter finals in Baku Olympic Stadium and will play on July 3 against the winner of Netherlands v Czech Republic.
At the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, on Monday June 28, Spain face Croatia. The following day, England play in Wembley against Germany.
For the quarter finals the winner from Croatia v Spain will play again France or Switzerland at the Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 2. And England or Germany will play against the winner from Sweden v Ukraine. This game is scheduled to be played at Olimpico in Rome and will be the final game from the knock out stages.
