Well, this tournament has flown in, right?
It seems as if Euro 2020 only started yesterday, with Italy sweeping Turkey aside at home to get the competition started, but we are already in break time for the group stage.
From now on, the kick-offs from 14:00 are a relic of the past, with each group’s last two matches taking place at the same time as teams struggle to avoid elimination. And in most cases, it’s still all you can play for.
Here is your overview of the situation in each group and who needs what to do in the last 16 years.
Looks good, right @Cymru fans? ? #WAL | #ITVFotboll | # Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/aNxsnhnaog
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 16, 2021
Matches: Italy vs Wales, Switzerland vs Turkey
Italy has been the most impressive team in the tournament so far, cruising to successive 3-0 victories, and has made the 16-year-old already without hassle at all. But Wales, who have only secured the qualification themselves, can still win the group by conquering them in Rome.
In the second group A match, the pressure is good. Turkey are meaningless after their first two matches so need a win to have any chance of sneaking through in third place, but even that is probably not enough given their poor goal difference. A win for Switzerlandwould, however, place them on four points – probably enough to qualify as one of the best third-placed sides.
Denmark️ Denmark and Belgium unite to show their support for Christian Eriksen. # EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/jaaTpCNA3n
– UEFA EURO 2020 (@ EURO2020) 17 June 2021
Matches: Finland vs Belgium, Russia vs Denmark
Group B favorites Belgium has crossed to qualification and fired Russia and Denmark without too much hassle, and they only need one point to win the group. A draw would also set Finland on four points, which would probably see through them.
An upset victory for Markku Kanerva’s team would, however, make sure of that and could even see them win the episode.
In the second game, Denmark has taken two defeats from two and needs a little miracle elsewhere in the tournament to qualify. For Russia, it is in their hands; a point and they are probably through, a win and there is no doubt about it.
?? The Netherlands confirmed as Group C winners?
Who will be 2nd? # EURO2020
– UEFA EURO 2020 (@ EURO2020) 17 June 2021
Matches: Northern Macedonia vs Netherlands, Ukraine vs Austria
The only team that has won its group so far is Netherlands, which can not be captured by Ukraine or Austria due to their superior head-to-head records. They meet one Northern Macedonia the team rooted to the bottom of group C, with no way to climb out of fourth place. It’s a sad ending to one of the tournament’s fairy tale images.
Everything is at stake in the second game in between Ukraine and Austria, in all cases. They each sit on three points with the same goal difference, and while none of them would complain about a draw, Austria – who sit in third place when it says – will look for a win that leaves nothing to chance.
?? Czech Republic top Group D?
How will it end? # EURO2020
– UEFA EURO 2020 (@ EURO2020) 18 June 2021
Matches: Croatia vs Scotland, Czech Republic vs England
While EnglandThe 0-0 draw with Scotland at Wembley was described as a national disaster, it was enough to place them on four points and assure them quite a bit of a place in the last 16. If they want to win Group D, they have to beat Czech Republic, which is at the top of the goal difference as it looks.
The famous attraction in London retained meanwhile Scotland alive and kicking. It’s back in their hands, and if they can get better Croatia in Hampden, they should qualify as one of the best third-ranked sites.
The same goes for Croatia, and with a draw that no one benefits from in that conflict, it could be one of the games in the tournament.
Group E = ???
Predict how it will end?
1. __________2. __________3. __________4. __________ # EURO2020
– UEFA EURO 2020 (@ EURO2020) 19 June 2021
Matches: Slovakia vs Spain, Sweden vs Poland
There is usually at least one shock elimination at the group stage in each major tournament, and Spain risk taking home that moniker. They have drawn their first two matches, so they need a victory against Slovakia to advance – everything else and it lights up for Luis Enrique’s team.
One point would secure second place Slovakia, but defeat probably probably the end for them because they would be one of the weaker third-placed sides at just three points.
Sweden is at four points as it stands, so a win would be enough to win them in the group. If they draw and Spain win, the goal difference determines the group winners. But even if Sweden loses too Poland, they are likely to evolve. However, the Poles must win to take one of Spain or Slovakia.
? ❓
Who will finish top in Group F? # EURO2020
– UEFA EURO 2020 (@ EURO2020) 19 June 2021
Matches: Germany vs Hungary, Portugal vs France
Well, who would want to predict this? One of the top three in Group F can finish anywhere between first and third, while Germany and Portugal can both still finish at the bottom of the section, depending on the Germans’ clash with Hungary.
France currently tops the group on four points, so a draw against Portugal would see them through either as winners or others. If Portugal they are guaranteed to win either first or second place, depending on how Germany progresses against Hungary.
If Hungary can win a victory against Joachim Low’s team, they would run them – and can even finish second if France do them a favor. For Germany, a victory can see them take the group if France loses points, but they can just as well finish bottom if they lose and things go against them.
