The ranking of the best third-placed teams for the round of 16 of Euro 2024: who risks elimination

The group stage of the Europeans It’s coming to an end and it’s time for verdicts. Among these there is also the one relating to best thirds who will qualify for the round of 16. The current standings see Croatia at risk after the draw in the match against Italy, even if the results of 2 groups are still missing, and therefore as many third-placed teams to define the complete picture. Who are the best third-placed teams at the moment, and who is at risk of elimination? Here’s everything you need to know.

How the four best thirds at Euro 2024 are chosen: the criteria

If the first and second teams of each group of the European Championships qualified directly for the round of 16, there is also hope for the third teams, but not for all of them. Only the top 4 will enter the direct elimination phase of Euro 2024with the ranking among the 6 national teams finishing in third place which will follow a series of criteria, namely:

• highest number of points obtained in the group stage;
• best goal difference in the group stage;
• highest number of goals scored in the group stage;
• highest number of wins in the group stage;
• best fair play conduct of the group, calculated with the following penalties: each warning: one point;
• each expulsion for a double yellow card or direct expulsion: three points;
• best position in the overall ranking of the European qualifiers (or draw, in case Germany, the host nation, is involved)

Which are the best third places: the current ranking

The current ranking of the best thirds at Euro 2024 is obviously temporary, given that the matches of 4 other groups are missing. At the moment the Netherlands is in first place with 4 points, just behind are Slovenia (already certain of passing like the Oranje) and Hungary with three points on par with Slovakia which has the same points as the Hungarian team but a better goal difference when they have yet to take the field for their last match.

One point less for Croatia. Dalic’s national team, after the draw with Italy, seriously risks being left out, with two points and a goal difference of minus 3. The Czech Republic’s position is also complicated, with only one point. Everything will be played with Turkey. This is the current ranking.

1. Netherlands 4 (0 goal difference, 4 goals scored, 4 goals conceded)
2. Slovenia 3 (0, 2, 2)
3. Slovakia 3 (0, 2, 2)
4. Hungary 3 (-3, 2, 5)
5. Croatia 2 (-3, 3, 6)
6. Czech Republic 1 (-1, 2, 3)

The players of the Czech Republic

Best thirds, who goes to the round of 16 and who leaves

Of course, other teams can also come into play in the ranking of the best third-placed teams. Great balance for example in the last groups after Slovenia finished third in England’s group due to their worse ranking in the European Qualifiers compared to Denmark with whom they had finished the group on equal points, head-to-head, goal difference, goals scored, conceded and cards received. Total balance for example in group E with 4 teams all at 3 points. The last 90 minutes are decisive with Slovakia being the most at risk. A complicated mission also for the Czech Republic who will need a victory against Turkey.

These are the rankings of the groups not yet concluded:

Group E
Rumania 3
Belgium 3
Slovakia 3
Ukraine 3

Group F
Portugal 6
Türkiye 3
Czech Republic 1
Georgia 1