UEFA clarifies

European Championship: Why there will be no match for third place

A clash between the two semi-final losers will not be played.(Bild: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The final has been decided! The semi-finals are over, France and the Netherlands have to go home. There will be no match for third place. UEFA explains the reasons.

Unlike at World Cups, there is no third-place play-off at European Championships - and this year's tournament in Germany is no exception. When asked, UEFA explained that the match for third place had been abolished as part of a change in the tournament's format from 1980 to 1984.

A duel between the two semi-final losers will not be played.(Bild: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

"Not attractive"
"The game was not considered attractive and has not been part of the Euro since then," said the continental association. There are also no plans to reintroduce such a match. In 1980, Czechoslovakia beat Italy on penalties in the last match for third place at a European Championship to date, with Germany taking the title.

The last time Croatia finished third at a World Cup was in 2022, while England, who now have the chance to win the European Championship title, lost the match to Belgium in 2018. Germany have finished third at four World Cups (1934, 1970, 2006 and 2010).