Euro 2024 is about to kick off, when 24 European giants such as France, Germany, England, Italy, Portugal, Spain, etc. will dedicate 51 exciting duels for the fans in a month, using their wisdom and courage to gallop across the green field and chase the highest honor of European soccer.
The "European Cup Watching Guide" series will help you understand the European Cup and quickly integrate into this feast from the continent. First of all, to understand the European Cup, reading the match system is the key.
Who's out of the group stage?
The types of matches in the UEFA Europa League are broadly categorized into two types, namely the group stage and the knockout stage. As the name suggests, the group stage is a single round-robin encounter between four teams within a group.
This year's Euro Cup has six groups, each group of four teams to play a single round-robin tournament, that is to say, the teams participating in the Euro Cup to participate in at least three games, a win scored three points, a draw scored one point, and a loss of one point.
The top two finishers from each of the six groups advance directly to the Round of 16 (the knockout stage), and the third best of the four groups also advances to the Round of 16.
But there are always surprises. How do you determine the rankings if there is a tie in one of the groups? Who should be selected for the knockout stage if two groups are tied for third place?
The tournament organizers have arranged a number of "sizing" criteria to facilitate the resolution of these issues. The criteria can be divided into two categories:
The first criterion is that if the two teams have the same number of points, it depends on how the two teams have played each other, and is measured by the number of wins and losses between the two teams.
The second criterion, the two teams with the same points, play each other may also have a draw, then we have to look at the two teams in the group stage of the three games in the goal difference, goals scored how much to rank.
There is also an exception: if two teams with the same points, goal difference and other data happen to meet in the last round, the result is still a draw, then the penalty shootout!
If two or more teams in a group have the same number of points, goal difference, goals scored or even wins, then it's up to Fair Play points and Euro qualifying positions to determine the rankings.
Comparisons between the third group are also based on these two criteria.
If the points, goal difference and goals scored cannot be ranked, the third group will have to compare who has more wins, who has more fair play points and who has a better Euro qualifying position, and there is always a way to give them a ranking!
Here are two specific examples from the last Euro, to make it easier for you to understand the rules.
Group D of the last European Cup, England won 7 points to get the first group, Croatia, Czech Republic with 4 points, and the two teams drew and goal difference is the same, the last Croatia is by virtue of more goals to get the second group.
In Group F, Germany, Portugal with 4 points and the same goal difference, and even Portugal more than a goal, but the German chariot in the two sides of the encounter 4-2 win, stepped in the first standard, said the second group.
How to play in the knockout rounds?
After the group stage is over, 16 teams will be selected to play the knockout stage.
The so-called knockout matches are those in which the winners advance and the losers are eliminated, and in which there must be a winner and a loser, and no draws are accepted.
If the two sides do not win or lose within 90 minutes, overtime or even penalty kicks will begin, and there are two types of intense and exciting penalty kicks.
The first five rounds of penalties will be divided according to the overall results, a player misses, teammates can still help him make up for it, but after the sixth round of penalties is a one-on-one duel, basically there is no room for error.
In every tournament, the organizers make the path to promotion clear. In this year's Cup, the odds are that the top team in the group will play the third in the other groups, but the first in Group A and the first in Group D will play the second in Group C and the second in Group F. The good thing is that the potential second place finishers in both groups are not particularly strong.
Let's take hosts Germany as an example to simulate the knockout path.
Assuming Germany tops the group, they'll meet the second in Group C - one of Serbia, Denmark, or Slovenia - in the 1/8 finals (England should secure the top spot).
If the Germans go further, the Teutonic Warriors could meet the breakaway Group F leaders, a position that will most likely belong to Cairo's Portugal.
If the Germans go one step further, they will meet France and England, the two top teams in Group F. If the Germans go one step further, they will meet Portugal, which will most likely belong to Cairo.
Race Time, Key Race Recommendations
This year's Euro Cup runs from June 15 to July 15, a full month.
The opening match will be between hosts Germany and Scotland at the vaunted Allianz Arena in Munich at 3:00 a.m. BST on June 15 (all subsequent statements are BST), while the final will be held at the Olympic Stadium in the German capital, Berlin, at 3:00 a.m. BST on July 15th.
Match worth highlighting in the group stage:
June 15 opening match, Germany vs Scotland, in addition to the opening show, the opening match belongs to the game to set the tone for the entire Cup, very important.
June 16, Italy vs Albania, which is the debut of the defending champions, given that Italy is now weak front line, into the group of death (Spain, Croatia) and the characteristics of the competition slow heat, the Legionnaires in blue want to break out of the group with a better result, this game must go all out.
June 17, Serbia vs. England, the highest-priced team in the UEFA Europa League took the field, England's strong lineup is also the favorite to win the championship, the debut of the Three Lions can let fans have a clear view of them.
June 19, Portugal vs Czech Republic, this is Crow's sixth European Cup, perhaps the president will not debut on the field, but Portugal should give him the opportunity to drape on the field, to see the superstar's last dance is always a good choice.
June 21, Spain vs Italy, although both teams are not in peak condition, see Spain's technical talent and Italy's tight organization who is better.
June 22, the Netherlands vs. France, another strong team, France is the favorite to win the championship, can be said to be 360 degrees without short boards of the team, and the Dutch team is now weak attacking and defending, the defense line can be said to be Europe's first-class, the red boy Mbappe can lead the Gallic Roosters to break the Dutch solid defense line? We will see.
These stars need to be watched
Every tournament has a remarkable star, in this year's European Cup, new fans can focus on these stars, may be the most valuable player, the best scorer is born from these people.
Mbappe, nicknamed "M Huang", "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle", is the core of the French team, has just joined the luxury club Real Madrid, is the hottest star in today's soccer world, has the speed and amazing scoring ability, and may even win the Golden Goal and Golden Boot of this year's tournament at the same time. Golden Ball and Golden Boot of the tournament.
Griezmann, the organizational core of the French team, compared to Mbappe he is not so dazzling, but he is such a front field super big core of the kicking style is very rare, to be able to appreciate the dashing calm, new fans will quickly mature.
Harry Kane, England captain and the core of the front field, whether the Three Lions can achieve good results depends largely on his play, he is one of the best center forwards in today's football world, but he lacks championship honors, are you willing to accompany him to the end?
De Bruyne, the Belgian midfield engine, passing ability is outstanding, is the best midfielder in the world soccer world, but the European Red Devils have passed the peak period, whether he can lead his teammates to achieve good results, it is worth looking forward to.
Crow, this is too famous, you must know. 39-year-old president of the sixth time to participate in the European Cup, after all, the years are not forgiving, he is likely to play the main force, but we will still look forward to him to be able to belong to their last dance.
Modric and Kroos, these two are club partners, Real Madrid dream three midfield in the two, after this year's European Cup Modric is old, Kroos has announced the retirement after the game, in Croatia and Germany, they also bear the key task, this Cup will be the two midfield masters of the colorful curtain call.
Modric and Kroos, these two are club partners, Real Madrid dream three midfield in the two, after this year's European Cup Modric is old, Kroos has announced the retirement after the game, in Croatia and Germany, they also bear the key task, this Cup will be the two midfield masters of the colorful curtain call.
Most of the stars recommended in this article are veterans; after all, they are more consistent and more likely to play great games.
But you can't ignore the youngsters who are likely to have amazing games, such as Germany's supernova Wiltz, Spain's talented teenager Yamal, England's potential golden ball winner Bellingham, and France's all-around midfielder Camarvinga ......
The European Cup is about to start, so share this article with a friend close to you so he can join you in watching the game~!