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The dispute to get a place in the round of 16 of the Euro 2024 It’s hot. So far, only five teams have managed to get into the top 16 of the tournament.
Germany, Spain and Portugal They did it since the second round of their respective groups ended last week, as they won both games. On Sunday, after the third round in Group A began, Switzerland joined in, finishing second in that area with five points.
Italy became the fifth this Monday. The Italian national team suffered to stay in second place in Group B. They were down on the scoreboard in the duel against Croatia until minute 90+8. The equality, at one goal, allowed them to qualify directly for the round of 16.
The seven direct places that remain to be defined (the teams that finish first and second in each zone win) will be known between Tuesday and Wednesday. That way, The first 12 selected teams will be known to the direct elimination round of this Euro Cup.
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However, the most exciting fight is between the teams that seek to keep one of the four places in the round of 16 awarded by finishing among the third best points in the tournament. There are 15 Euro technicians who, not only should be “using” a calculatorbut they have to make use of the art of waiting, enduring until the last minute of the remaining games of the group stage, to know whether or not they can continue in competition.
Hungary, Croatia, England, Denmark, Slovenia, Serbia, Netherlands, France, Romania, Belgium, Slovakia, Ukraine, Turkey, Czech Republic and Georgia They have a mathematical possibility of fighting to be one of the best third parties in the championship.
The Hungarians occupied third place in Group A, after beating Scotland on the third day on Sunday and adding 3 points. The Croatians, for their part, were third with 2 points in zone B.
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In Group C there is no qualified team. All teams have the option of passing directly or being third. England leads the zone with 4 points. That is the same amount that Serbia can add if it beats Denmark, second with 2, this Tuesday (2:00 pm).
Meanwhile, in the event of a victory for Slovenia against England (today at the same time), the Slovenians would be first with 5 points, and England and Serbia would fight for second and third place with 4 points.
In Group D, the teams that could finish in third place are Netherlands, France and Austria. The Austrians, who are third at the moment with 3 points, face the Netherlands, which has 4 points as of 11:00 am on Tuesday. If they beat them, they would reach 7 points. France, which faces Poland (already eliminated), could reach 7. The third could finish with 4.
In Group E, whose last date is played on Wednesday at 11:00 am in Colombia, anything can happen. Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine They have 3 points. The Slovaks face off against the Romanians. The Ukrainians against the Belgians. If there are winners, they will come first and second. The third could compete with 3 units.
Meanwhile, in Group E, which is played on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. Türkiye, Czech Republic and Georgia They have the option to get into that fight. The Georgians, who face the leader Portugal (6 points), would add 4 points if they manage to win. The same would happen with the Czechs, if they beat Turkey. The third in that area could arrive with 3 points to compete to be among the 16 best in the Euro.
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Croatia was close to giving the surprise
The Croatian National Team was directly qualified for the round of 16 of the Euro Cup for 98 of the 100 minutes that the match against the Italian national team lasted, played this Monday.
The Croatians went ahead on the scoreboard in the 55th minute, with a goal from Luka modric. The Croatian midfielder, who at 38 years and 289 days became the oldest footballer to score in a group stage of the continental tournament, missed a penalty a few minutes earlier.
However, the Croatian party was dismantled by the Italian Mattia Zaccagni at minute 90+8 of the match. For its part, in the other match of the day on Monday, Spain beat Albania 0-1.
A goal from Ferran Torres made the Iberians the only team that has managed to achieve a perfect score in the group stage of the Euro Cup. Albania joined Poland and Scotland as eliminated.
