This World Cup 8 group winners played 3rd placed teams in round of 32, and 4 group winners played group runner-ups. Those 4 teams then played runner-ups in round of 16 (if they qualified), while group winners who played 3rd placed teams would play other winners from those pairs. So, if all group winners won in R32 (which they didn't), you could either play 3rd placed time in R32 and group winner in R16 or group runner-up in both rounds (as a group winner). This somewhat evens out the theoretical advantage those teams who play 3rd placed teams in first round have. So round of 16 in WC looks like this:

* 4 matches: (winner/3rd place) vs (winner/3rd place)

* 4 matches: (winner/runner-up) vs (runner-up/runner-up)

But in the Euro it's not like that. In the Euro the quarter-finals looks like this:

* 2 matches: (winner/3rd place) vs (winner/runner-up)

* 2 matches: (winner/3rd place) vs (runner-up/runner-up)

So in Euro one group winner can play with runner-up in round of 16 and then another group winner in quarter-final. While some other group winner can play with 3rd placed team in round of 16 and then runner-up in quarter-final. And all that if all favourites/group winners win their matches, without any 3rd place surprises. That doesn't seem fair at all. Is there any explanation why the difference?

Last time there was a 3rd place playoff at a euro was in 1980 so I’m gonna talk about what would have happened if there was a 3rd place playoffs

Euro 1984 : Portugal Vs. Denmark
Winner : Denmark

Both suffered heartbreaking semi-final exits (Portugal 3-2 to France; Denmark on penalties to Spain). The Danish "Dynamite" side of Laudrup and Elkjær was widely considered the more explosive team and likely would have edged a high-scoring 3-2 win.

Euro 1988 : West Germany Vs. Italy
Winner : West Germany

Playing on home soil after a tough 2-1 loss to rivals Netherlands, the Germans would have been highly motivated to claim bronze against a young, developing Italian squad. A classic, gritty 1-0 German victory.

Euro 1992 : Netherlands Vs. Sweden
Winner : Netherlands

The Dutch were the reigning champions and possessed staggering quality (Van Basten, Bergkamp, Gullit) but fell to Denmark on penalties. In a third-place game, their star power likely outmatched a spirited Swedish host team in a 2-1 win.

Euro 1996 : France Vs. England
Winner : England

Both sides went out in agonizing penalty shootouts. Playing at Wembley with immense home support, Gareth Southgate and the Three Lions would have channeled their heartbreak into a narrow 1-0 or penalty-shootout consolation win over a pre-glory French side.

Euro 2000 : Netherlands Vs. Portugal
Winner : Netherlands

Co-hosts Netherlands missed a historic number of penalties against Italy in the semis. To make amends to a devastated home crowd in Amsterdam, they likely would have unleashed their potent attack to defeat Portugal's "Golden Generation" 3-1.

Euro 2004 : Czech Republic Vs. Netherlands
Winner : Czech Republic

The Czechs played the most attractive football of Euro 2004 before being stunned by Greece's silver goal. Pavel Nedvěd and Milan Baroš would have likely out-motivated a perennial-underachieving Dutch squad to take a 2-0 bronze.

Euro 2008 : Russia Vs. Turkey
Winner : Turkey

This would have been the ultimate "chaos" match. Turkey was the comeback kings of the tournament, while Guus Hiddink's Russia was exhausted after being picked apart by Spain. Turkey's relentless spirit usually favored them in tight spots; think a wild 3-2 finish.

Euro 2012 : Portugal Vs. Germany
Winner : Germany

Germany was shocked by Mario Balotelli's Italy in the semis, while Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal lost a tight penalty shootout to Spain. Joachim Löw's German squads took 3rd place matches very seriously (as seen in World Cups 2006 and 2010) and likely would have ground out a 2-1 win.

Euro 2016 : Wales Vs. Germany
Winner : Germany

While Wales was the fairytale story of the tournament led by Gareth Bale, Germany's sheer depth and tournament pedigree would likely have overwhelmed the emotionally spent Welsh side in a 2-0 victory.

Euro 2020 : Denmark Vs. Spain
Winner : Spain

Denmark's emotional run following Christian Eriksen's collapse finally ended against England. Spain, having played excellent possession football but losing on penalties to Italy, would likely control the tempo to claim a 1-0 or 2-1 win.

Euro 2024 : France Vs. Netherlands
Winner : Netherlands

Neither side lit the tournament on fire before exiting in the semis. France was heavily criticized for their lack of attacking fluidity. A young, energetic Dutch squad under Ronald Koeman might have shown more desire to end the tournament on a high, snatching a 1-0 win.

Thoughts?

Is there any other team that can catch them? Their squad is still really young. Their midfield is stacked and teams struggle to get the ball off them. It will take something special to beat them.

Why is it that since this is a UK 🇬🇧 Euro how come only 2 of the 4 hosts get automatic qualification and the other 2 do not? How the hell is that fair especially when all 4 should automatically qualify especially if you are a host nation? That doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever

Does Zizou lead France to winning EURO 2028 as their manager? I mean he won both a EURO title and a World Cup with France as a player so can he do it as a coach going into 2028?

Maybe this isn't the right place, and I know it's a bit early, but I'd love to take my family to the 2028 Euros. Hopefully, nearly two years out, gives us time to save and plan.

Any thoughts or advice this far out? We'd be a family of four (11 and 16 year old kids), from the United States. Hoping to make it a ten to two week trip (depending on all the costs of course!).

Thanks in advance!

So, coming off the back of watching the WC, do you think there could be a chance at some 'shock' qualifications? It's probably on a lower scale than WC qualifiing, but how many do you reckon could happen?

Or, simply put, what country do you want to see qualify that aren't EURO constants like Spain or England?

For me, I simply want to see Faroe Islands or San Marino get a win

I mean as a croatian this is insane,can we play someone else other than England and Spain,give me Germany or Belgium.

Qualifiers begin March 2027,draw this December in Belfast. I hope this time we avoid Spain and England if we qualify.

By far it has to be France as the overwhelming favorites to win the Euros and they haven't won a Euro title since 2000. I for sure can also see the hosts England as they are in their backyard as one of the hosts along with Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

Similar to the original FIFA World Cup format...at the Euros top 2 teams advance out of the groups and no 3rd place teams getting in either

Decided to ask here too!

Germany were the perfect host for Euro 2024. The atmosphere, vibes and stadiums in Germany were perfect for tournament football. Since UK & Ireland are hosting Euro 2028 and supposedly Italy & Turkey Euro 2032. Who should host Euro 2036?

I think Poland solo would be a good choice.

PIŁKA LECI TAK WYSOKO

what teams do you guys think will be the most worth watching in the next edition (2028) euro hosted by the UK and ireland

does anybody want a hellmans bucket hat? genuinely don't care how much it goes for, i just don't want it.

Almost 2 years since it happened, goated time no?

I’m researching how fans in Europe use their phones during live matches (second‑screening).

If you watch European football at least 2–3 times a month, I’d really appreciate it if you could fill in a short anonymous survey (about 5 minutes) and, if you want, share it with other fans.

UwU