Page 10 - Soccer360 Issue 107

EURO 2024 REVIEW
DID YOU KNOW?
Romania, Belgium, Slovakia & Ukraine all finished with the exact same record, 1-1-1, with 4 points in Group E
Williams starred. The only surprise in the end was that they only won 1-0, thanks to an own goal from Riccardo Calafiori.
A SAD END FOR SCOTLAND
A battling draw with Switzerland gave Scotland a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time when they entered their final group match against Hungary. But as they chased the win they desperately needed, Steve Clarke’s side were to suffer agony at the end of a largely tense and cagey affair as they were caught on the counter attack in the 10th and final minute of stoppage time with Kevin Csoboth scoring a dramatic goal. Despite the win, Hungary also failed to make the last 16 having lost their opening two games.
ZACCAGNI LEAVES CROATIA CRESTFALLEN
After only picking up one point from their first two Group B games, perennial dark horses Croatia knew they had to overcome holders Italy in Leipzig to reach the last 16. They seemed set to advance when national team legend Luka Modric scored to make amends for his penalty miss just moments earlier, but their hearts were broken with the very last play of the game as Mattia Zaccagni curled a sweet finish past Dominik Livakovic to snatch second place for the Azzurri.
AUSTRIA HIT THE TOP
Austria were expected to be a dangerous opponent at Euro 2024 under the wise guidance of highly respected coach Ralf Rangnick, but not many would have tipped them to top a very strong looking Group
D. However, a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Netherlands in the final round of games saw them finish in first place ahead of the Dutch and tournament favourites France, who were struggling to find their rhythm. Their hopes would ultimately be ended by Turkey in the last 16.
GROUP E DEADLOCK
For the first time in European Championship history, all four teams in Group E finished locked on the same number of points after three fascinating rounds of matches. With head-to-head records cancelled out, the task of separating them came down to goal difference and Ukraine were the painfully unlucky side to miss out on the last 16 due to their opening 3-0 defeat to Romania, who in turn advanced as group winners. Belgium finished second, while Slovakia
also went through as one of the best third placed teams.
GEORGIA’S GREATEST NIGHT
Simply qualifying for Euro 2024 was a famous achievement for Georgia, but reaching the knockout stages
was something far more remarkable. Having already caught the eye with their courageous performances and showed
no shortage of quality in attack, the tournament’s lowest ranked team took on Portugal in their final group game needing a win to reach the last 16. Against one of the favourites, they produced the greatest night in the nation’s footballing history to prevail 2-0 with goals from Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Georges Mikautadze. Although their run was subsequently ended by Spain, they went home as heroes.
STYLISH SWITZERLAND END ITALY’S REIGN
As the knockout stage began in Berlin, it was very hard to predict a winner between Switzerland and Italy with many expecting
a close game. The reality couldn’t have been more different, as Murat Yakin’s impressive Swiss team bossed proceedings throughout with their intricate, attractive passing game. Remo Freuler finished off a lovely team move for the opener before Ruben Vargas curled in a beauty at the start of the second half, with a subdued Italy seeing the defence of their crown end with a whimper.
BELLINGHAM FROM THE BRINK
There was still no improvement to be seen from England and their tournament seemed set to end in calamitous fashion as another goal from Ivan Schranz had Slovakia on the
8 SOCCER360
TOP LEFT:
Albania’s Nedim Bajrami scored the fastest ever Euros goal
TOP RIGHT:
The understated Luis de la Fuente masterminded Spain’s success
ABOVE LEFT:
Turkey’s Group F clash with Georgia was arguably the game of the tournament
ABOVE RIGHT:
Georges Mikautadze sealed Georgia’s place in the last 16 with his goal against Portugal