We often hear that a team has played poorly in the group stage and thus won’t even reach the semi-final, let alone win the tournament. And yes, a group stage performance can indicate where and how a team will finish its path. However, looking at previous EURO tournaments since 1996, when the system with 16 teams was introduced for the first time, only two champions have had 100% records in their groups. Judging by the group stages, we should’ve definitely had different winners at some of the previous continental championships.🗣️ It’s not how you start…but how you finishPast winners of the European Championships have had contrasting fortunes in the group stages 👀The REAL tournament starts now 👊 #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/zxTh8ZSOGy— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) June 29, 2024 The two maximal teams were Italy in the previous EURO and Spain in 2008. Truth be said, the Azzurri had somewhat unchallenging rivals in the group – Wales, Switzerland, and Turkey. Three easy victories and a 7-0 goal difference certainly portended what would happen in the end. At the EURO 2008, the greatest generation in the history of Spanish football was near its peak. They crushed Russia, Sweden and Greece in the group stage, scoring eight goals, five of which were the work of David Villa.Yamal finishes high-school while playing at EUROIn 1996, Germany finished the group with seven points. After two clean-sheet triumphs over the Czech Republic and Russia, a goalless draw against Italy concluded the group stage. Nevertheless, in the knockout phase, Die Mannschaft had a much more complicated job, winning the semi-final on penalties and the grand final thanks to Oliver Bierhoff’s golden goal in extra time.Spain was another team with seven group-stage points in 2012. The last trophy of the golden generation was portended by a 6-1 goal difference in Group C with Italy, Croatia (history repeats itself, doesn’t it?!), and the Republic of Ireland. In the knockout phase, France, Portugal, and, again, Italy were brought to their knees before the Spanish punitive expedition.David Trezeguet’s golden goal to win Euro 2000 for France was a thunderbolt🔥 pic.twitter.com/BSQPi5XBhy— 90s Footballers (@90sPlayers) November 20, 2023 The remarkable generation of France won the EURO 2000 and thus united the European and the world crown earned two years earlier. In that tournament, Les Blues finished second in their group behind the Netherlands, beaten by the Oranje 3-2. However, Zinedine Zidane’s and David Trezeguet’s golden goals in the semi-final and the final brought the trophy to France, whereas the Netherlands got knocked out of the EURO by Italy on penalties in the 1/2 finals.On this day, 19 years ago, Greece did the impossible and won EURO 2004 against Portugal in Lisbon. 🇵🇹🇬🇷Ángelos Charistéas scored the only goal of the game. 🏆pic.twitter.com/RQCsS1s9Na— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) July 4, 2023 One of the biggest shocks in the history of football was Greece winning the EURO 2004. In the group with the host Portugal, Russia and Spain, the Greeks finished second with four points, beating the home team in the first round 2-1. Three 1-0 triumphs in the knockout stage were enough for the continental crown. France and the Czech Republic were defeated in the round of 16 and the quarter-final, while another win over the Portuguese, this time in the final when everybody expected their vengeance, speaks volumes. Leader ✅ Legend ✅ Future coach❓🇵🇹 Injured captain @Cristiano Ronaldo displays his relentless drive as Portugal secure EURO 2016 title 🏆 pic.twitter.com/7lHsmH0Ose— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) February 2, 2021 Finally, the European champions with the least points in the group stage were Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. in 2016. Portugal barely made it to the round of 16, finishing only third in Group F behind Hungary and Iceland. However, as luck would have it, the Navigators faced Croatia, Poland and Wales, respectively, on their way to the grand final against the host – France. Eder’s goal in the 109th minute sealed Les Blues’ fate and brought the first-ever trophy to Portugal.EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – 1/8 FINALSSaturdaySwitzerland – Italy 2-0 (1-0)/Freuler 37, Vargas 46/Germany – Denmark 2-0 (0-0)/Havertz 53 pen, Musiala 68/SundayEngland – Slovakia 0-1 HT/Schranz 25/22.00: (1.25) Spain (6.50) Georgia (15.0)Monday19.00: (1.95) France (3.40) Belgium (4.70)22.00: (1.43) Portugal (4.75) Slovenia (9.10)Tuesday19.00: (8.25) Romania (4.30) Netherlands (1.50)22.00: (1.95) Austria (3.50) Turkey (4.50)***odds are subject to change***
