Why there’s no match for third place at Euro 2024?

As the excitement builds towards the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain, many fans have wondered why there won’t be a match to determine the third-place team. Unlike the World Cup, where a third-place playoff is tradition, the European Championship has not included such a fixture since 1984.

The decision to remove the match for third place was part of a format change introduced by UEFA between 1980 and 1984. According to UEFA officials, the match was considered less attractive and has since been excluded from the Euros. Despite occasional discussions, there are currently no plans to reintroduce it.

Reflecting on past tournaments, the last match for third place in a European Championship was in 1980, when Czechoslovakia claimed victory over hosts Italy on penalties. Germany emerged as the eventual champions of that tournament.

While the absence of a third-place playoff might disappoint some, it allows the focus to remain squarely on the championship match itself, which promises to be a thrilling encounter between two footballing giants.

In contrast, recent World Cups have maintained the tradition of a third-place playoff. Most recently, Croatia secured third place in Qatar 2022, following Belgium’s bronze finish in Russia 2018.

As Euro 2024 nears its conclusion, all eyes are on the final showdown in Berlin, where England and Spain will battle for European glory, leaving behind the question of who might have taken third place to speculation.

Tom Weller | dpa