The dust has settled on the Euro 2024 group stage, and the final group standings are in. Opinions are flying, conclusions are drawn, and those pre-tournament predictions? Well, they’ve probably been tossed out the window. Some teams are being lauded as brilliant, while others are written off as disappointments.
But amidst all the noise, a crucial question arises: which team truly captured the spirit of the tournament so far? While qualification is the straightforward measure of success in the Group Euro Standings, it doesn’t always tell the whole story. Sometimes, the most successful teams aren’t necessarily the most captivating to watch.
That’s why we’ve compiled a definitive ranking of all 24 teams from the Euro 2024 group stage. This isn’t just about who advanced; it’s a dual assessment. First, we delve into the “vibes” – the subjective feeling each team brought to the tournament. Did they thrill us? Did they bore us? How did they make us feel?
Secondly, we’ve employed a slightly more objective “excitement score.” This metric considers factors that contribute to exciting football: goals scored, match wins, expected goals (xG), and attacking activity in the final third. We’ve also given a nod to the Euro 2024 trends, rewarding teams who embraced long-range shots and those who fought back from behind – elements that added spice to the group stage.
So, forget just looking at the group euro standings for a moment. Let’s dive into the real story of the tournament, ranking every team based on the excitement they delivered, from the least to the most captivating.
24: Czech Republic
Honestly, they were barely there. Try to recall a single memorable moment from their Euro 2024 campaign. Struggling? That’s about right. The most notable thing they did was their aggressive play against Turkey in their final match, racking up cards rather than goals. Not a good look. Their group standings reflected their lackluster performance, barely scraping through.
Excitement rating: 10.5
23: Poland
Quite underwhelming. They’ll rightly point to Robert Lewandowski’s injury absence in the first two games as a major setback. Being drawn into a tough group with France, Netherlands, and Austria didn’t help either. But truthfully, can you recall anything Poland did besides Lewandowski’s penalty retake against France? Their group euro standings were a clear indicator of their struggles.
Excitement rating: 16.1
Robert Lewandowski penalty conversion against France, a rare highlight in Poland’s Euro 2024 group stage.
22: Serbia
The lowest-scoring team in the tournament. One goal in three games is hard to justify, especially with attacking talents like Dusan Vlahovic, Dusan Tadic, and Aleksandar Mitrovic in their squad. They exemplify how even struggling teams can have fleeting moments – Luka Jovic’s 95th-minute equalizer against Slovenia. But apart from that, their impact was minimal. Their group standings reflected their offensive woes.
Excitement rating: 16.3
21: Scotland
Based purely on team performance, they might be at the very bottom. However, the sheer energy and passion of their fans in Munich, Cologne, and Stuttgart made Scotland a worthwhile part of Euro 2024. While patience might have worn thin for locals dealing with the sheer volume of fans, their presence undeniably enriched the tournament atmosphere.
On the pitch, their team offered little, managing only one shot on target against Hungary in a must-win game. Their group standings were a testament to their on-field struggles despite fan enthusiasm.
Excitement rating: 10.6
20: Albania
Albania had a peculiar tournament. Sylvinho’s pride in their performances, despite no wins, was genuinely touching. They were an unusual team, seemingly only firing on all cylinders at the start and end of matches. Whether this was a deliberate strategy is unclear.
Nedim Bajrami’s record-breaking 23-second goal against Italy was their standout moment. They showed fight in patches, but couldn’t sustain it. Their group standings showed promise but ultimately fell short of progression.
Excitement rating: 13.8
Nedim Bajrami’s early goal celebration against Italy, a fleeting moment of Albanian brilliance.
19: Ukraine
A bit of a disappointment. Pre-tournament buzz suggested they had both an emotional narrative and genuine talent. However, their talent only truly shone in the second half against Slovakia. For the most part, despite a somewhat entertaining end to the Belgium game, they lacked impact. Their group standings were underwhelming given pre-tournament expectations.
Excitement rating: 20.0
18: Hungary
Hungary earns extra points for scoring the tournament’s latest goal so far – Kevin Csoboth’s 100th-minute winner against Scotland. The introduction of the imposing Martin Adam against Switzerland also sparked amusement and admiration for big man enthusiasts. Their group standings were respectable, but excitement was limited to these moments.
Excitement rating: 7.6
17: Croatia
Croatia’s strategy of “squeaking through tournaments on penalties” finally faltered. Their decline might be simply due to a weaker squad compared to previous years, losing key players since the 2018 World Cup. While they faced a tough group, their failure to beat Albania, not Spain or Italy, was their undoing. Sympathy is limited, save for the potential farewell to Luka Modric’s international career. Interestingly, statistics suggest they were more entertaining than perceived. Their group standings reflected a team struggling to maintain past glories.
Excitement rating: 29.1
Luka Modric possibly in his final international tournament, a bittersweet moment for Croatian football.
16: Slovakia
The win against Belgium feels like a distant memory. It’s harsh to criticize a smaller nation reaching the knockout stages, but beyond that surprise victory, they haven’t left a lasting impression. Stanislav Lobotka’s midfield performances were a bright spot. However, highlighting a defensive midfielder as a team’s best player often indicates a lack of attacking flair. Their group standings were boosted by the Belgium win, but overall excitement was low.
Excitement rating: 16.3
15: France
If any team deserves a managerial shake-up despite group stage qualification, it’s France. Neutral fans might wish for drama, even if French fans, accustomed to slow starts leading to deep runs, are content. But a team boasting Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, and a host of other attacking stars being so dull is a footballing crime. Didier Deschamps has somehow made the extraordinary boring. They rank low because their potential is so much higher. Their group standings were solid, but performances were far from inspiring.
Excitement rating: 26.7
Kylian Mbappe scoring a penalty against Poland, a moment of individual brilliance amidst French struggles.
14: Netherlands
A Dutch implosion feels imminent. Virgil van Dijk seems to be declining, the midfield is uninspired, Ronald Koeman appears clueless about utilizing Jeremie Frimpong, and they stubbornly overlook Wout Weghorst’s obvious value. Koeman might see Weghorst as a bench weapon, but his sheer presence is entertaining. Fans are clamoring for “Wout!” Their group standings were decent, but performances raised more questions than answers.
Excitement rating: 29.8
13: England
England’s high ranking might surprise, and bottom spot arguments are valid. They won their group and conceded only one goal, barely allowing any chances. However, a tight defense isn’t inherently exciting. Their group euro standings are strong, but the entertainment factor is debatable.
Excitement rating: 20.7
12: Denmark
Group C, excluding Slovenia, should be embarrassed. Seven goals and one win in six games. Denmark at least scored a memorable goal – Morten Hjulmand’s stunning strike against England. They qualified dramatically, edging Slovenia on fair play points. Christian Eriksen’s emotional goal in the opener, years after his collapse, also resonated. Their group standings were unimpressive in terms of points, but qualification was dramatic.
Excitement rating: 7.6
11: Italy
Italy’s 2021 Euro victory becomes more baffling with each underwhelming performance. They missed the last two World Cups and nearly failed to qualify here. Mattia Zaccagni’s 98th-minute equalizer against Croatia saved them, but they’ve been unconvincing. Their group standings were salvaged late, but overall form is concerning.
Excitement rating: 23.4
Mattia Zaccagni’s dramatic late equalizer against Croatia, securing Italy’s progression.
10: Belgium
Can a team earn “excitement points” for being upset victims? Perhaps. Belgium deserves credit for recovering from their opening loss to Slovakia. The “golden generation” is fading, but Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and emerging talents like Jeremy Doku offer hope. Despite this, they were booed by fans after drawing with Ukraine. Their group standings were respectable after the initial shock, but fan sentiment is mixed.
Excitement rating: 24.3
9: Romania
Romania was genuinely fun to watch, from Nicolae Stanciu’s screamer against Ukraine to their competitive match against Slovakia. Despite a mutually beneficial draw being enough for both to qualify, their final game was no “Disgrace of Gijon.” Coach Edward Iordanescu’s outrage at match-fixing suggestions added entertainment. Concerns about players lacking game time proved unfounded; they looked well-rested. Their group standings were a pleasant surprise, reflecting their spirited performances.
Excitement rating: 22.3
Nicolae Stanciu’s stunning long-range goal against Ukraine, a highlight of Romania’s campaign.
8: Slovenia
Amidst football’s prevailing narratives of despair, joy can be overlooked. While England faced fan frustration, Slovenia celebrated reaching the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time. Neutral excitement might be low, save for Josip Ilicic’s remarkable story. But for smaller nations, these tournaments are about pure emotion and joy. Their group standings marked a historic achievement, overshadowing neutral excitement.
Excitement rating: 12.3
7: Germany
A host nation dominating the opening game always boosts tournament atmosphere. Germany’s initial bulldozing, followed by a more cautious approach and a narrow escape against Switzerland, still set a positive tone. Jamal Musiala is thrilling, Niclas Fullkrug is entertaining in his own way, and Toni Kroos is delivering his usual class in his career’s twilight. Their group standings as winners solidified their host nation momentum.
Excitement rating: 29.1
Jamal Musiala’s dazzling performances for Germany, a source of excitement for the host nation.
6: Turkey
Agents of chaos. Turkey games, whether at home or abroad, are rarely dull, even if quality fluctuates. Euro 2024 was no different, amplified by their near-home support in Germany. Their game against Georgia was a classic, and even the Czech Republic match was eventful. Their group standings were secured amidst drama and passionate fan support.
Excitement rating: 26.0
5: Georgia
Huge fun. Terrific fun. Enormously fun. Newcomers are inherently interesting, and Georgia, the only Euro debutant, had a natural advantage. But they weren’t just new; they were incredibly entertaining. Entertaining in defeat to Turkey, entertaining in a draw with the Czech Republic, and sensational in victory against Portugal. Their group standings, reaching the knockout stage, were a fairytale achievement.
Excitement rating: 21.7
Georgia celebrating their historic victory over Portugal, securing a place in the knockout stages.
4: Portugal
Group winners after two games often lose momentum in the third, making conclusions difficult. Portugal impressed against the Czech Republic and Turkey, then rotated heavily against Georgia, leading to disjointed play. However, their first-choice team looks like contenders. And if the football isn’t captivating, Cristiano Ronaldo’s sideline antics provide entertainment. Their group standings as winners cemented their contender status.
Excitement rating: 38.4
3: Switzerland
Exceeding pre-tournament expectations, Switzerland has been a pleasant surprise. Coach Murat Yakin’s bold decisions paid off. They nearly beat Germany, which would have capped a fantastic group stage. Their group standings as runners-up were well-deserved, exceeding expectations.
Excitement rating: 16.5
2: Austria
Deeply impressive. An unlucky loss to France, followed by dominant wins over Poland and Netherlands (despite some luck), saw them top a group many expected them to finish third in. Ralf Rangnick’s pressing style is exciting, though their “excitement rating” doesn’t fully reflect it. They are in the “easier” side of the knockout draw, making a deep run possible. Their group standings as group winners were a testament to their impressive performances.
Excitement rating: 16.6
Austria
1: Spain
In a tournament where many underperformed but got results, Spain’s results haven’t fully reflected their dominance. They easily defeated Croatia, could have beaten Italy by more than 1-0, and then cruised past Albania with ten changes. Winning all three games is a strong argument for top spot. Group stages don’t win tournaments, but as of now, Spain is the best team in Euro 2024 based on both performance and group standings.
Excitement rating: 34.4
(Top photos: Getty Images)
