When the runners-up in main finals go to gather their silver medals they’ve two choices: begrudgingly let it’s draped round their necks or swiftly and furiously take away it.
Both approach, the tag of runners-up is seldom worn as a badge of honour, particularly when witnessing the unbridled pleasure spilling out of the successful aspect as they elevate their victor’s cup.
Subsequently, the thought of a third-place play-off has usually been topic to ridicule and derision from supporters, with such fixtures prior to now having normally been met with a normal lack of effort from taking part groups.
However will nations at Euro 2024 this summer time have to fret about enjoying the match that no one needs to play?
Fortuitously for the losers of this summer time’s Euro 2024 semi-finals, there is not going to be a third-place play-off. UEFA removed the idea as a consequence of low attendances at such matches and decrease than common TV audiences.
The third-place play-off just isn’t a fixture that’s significantly prestigious, as demonstrated at earlier World Cups, however the 2022 World Cup assembly between Croatia and Morocco was fiercely contested.
The final third-place play-off at a European Championship passed off again in 1980, with Czechoslovakia battling Italy in Naples. Sadly for the house supporters, the Italians fell to defeat on penalties after a 1-1 draw after additional time, with Fulvio Collovati’s miss leading to a 9-8 shootout victory for Czechoslovakia.
Third-place play-offs had been a continuing on the Euros up till 1980, after which they have been faraway from the competitors by UEFA.
Euro 2024 kicks off on Friday 14 June and involves a detailed on Sunday 14 July, with the ultimate going down in Berlin at Hertha’s Olympiastadion. The well-known venue will host six matches all through the event, together with the showpiece occasion.
Germany shall be determined to be there however a bunch nation hasn’t gained the Euros since France in 1984 (excluding Italy at Euro 2020 when the event was performed throughout Europe). The French shall be among the many favourites but once more, whereas England will wish to avenge their ultimate defeat on the earlier event.
