As the European Championship in Germany progresses towards its climax, anticipation builds for the final showdown in Berlin. Following the thrilling semi-finals, fans are eagerly awaiting to see who will be crowned champion. However, for those wondering about a consolation match, it’s important to note: there is no Euro Third Place Game in this prestigious tournament. Unlike some other major international football competitions, the UEFA European Championship opted to discontinue the third-place playoff decades ago.
The Historical Decision to Scrap the Euro Third Place Playoff
The tradition of a euro third place game actually existed in the earlier editions of the European Championship. UEFA, the governing body of European football, made the decision to eliminate the third-place play-off after the 1980 tournament. The last time a euro third place game was contested was in 1980 when Czechoslovakia faced hosts Italy. In a tightly contested match, Czechoslovakia emerged victorious, defeating Italy 9-8 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in normal time.
However, the interest in the euro third place game had waned significantly. Both stadium attendance and television viewership figures indicated a lack of enthusiasm for this particular match. Consequently, recognizing the declining appeal, UEFA decided to remove the third-place play-off from all subsequent European Championships. This decision streamlined the tournament format, focusing squarely on the journey to the final and the crowning of the champion.
Advertisement
Euro Bronze Medals: A Thing of the Past
While the euro third place game is no longer part of the tournament structure, bronze medals were indeed awarded in the past. Until the game was discontinued in 1980, third-place finishers were recognized with bronze medals.
Interestingly, UEFA briefly revisited the idea of acknowledging the semi-final losers. In 2008 (Turkey and Russia) and again in Euro 2012 (Germany and Portugal), bronze medals were awarded to the losing semi-finalists. However, this practice was short-lived. European football’s governing body decided to cease awarding bronze medals from Euro 2016 onwards, further solidifying the focus on the top two teams and the championship title.
Euro Tournament Format Compared to Copa America and Other Competitions
The absence of a euro third place game sets it apart from some other prominent international tournaments. For example, the Copa America, a major tournament for South American national teams, does feature a third-place play-off. In fact, the two losing semi-finalists in the most recent Copa America were scheduled to compete for third place. In the 2021 Copa America, Colombia secured third place by defeating Peru.
Similarly, the FIFA World Cup also retains its third-place play-off match, offering a chance for teams that narrowly miss out on the final to still compete for a podium finish. This contrast highlights the unique format of the Euros, where the competition culminates directly with the final, emphasizing the prestige of reaching the top two and vying for the championship.
Euro 2024 Final Matchup
While there’s no euro third place game to anticipate, the excitement is firmly focused on the Euro 2024 final. Spain secured their place in the Berlin final with a semi-final victory over France. Goals from Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo sealed a 2-1 win in Munich.
They are set to face England, who triumphed over the Netherlands with a dramatic 90th-minute winner from Ollie Watkins in Dortmund. The stage is set for a thrilling final to determine the Euro 2024 champion.
