Goals from 2023 determine the most boring group of EURO 2024

Football fans around the world are familiar with the ranking system based on points and common secondary indicators such as head-to-head record, goal difference or penalty cards. However, in Group C of EURO 2024, a rare case occurred when all the common indicators of Denmark and Slovenia were equal.

In the final match of Group C of the EURO 2024 finals, Denmark drew 0-0 with Serbia. The match between England and Slovenia had a similar result. With 7 goals in 6 matches, Group C is the most boring group of EURO 2024.

England finished first in Group C with 5 points. Denmark finished second and Slovenia finished third with the same number of points (3). The two teams drew in their head-to-head match. The other sub-indices are goal difference (0), goals scored and cards (6) of the two teams, all exactly the same.

This is a rare occurrence. In some tournaments, two teams may have to send representatives to draw lots or toss a coin to determine the ranking. However, the EURO 2024 organizing committee has included another sub-index in the tournament rules to avoid having to use the element of chance. That is the performance in the qualifying round.

Denmark finished second in Group C because this team was ranked above Slovenia in the EURO 2024 qualifiers.

Interestingly, Slovenia and Denmark were both in Group H in the qualifying round, and also had to use the additional index to determine the rankings. Both teams have 22 points after 7 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses. Slovenia finished behind due to losing the direct match.

The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw. Denmark won the rematch 2-1. Thomas Delaney scored the decisive goal in the 54th minute. Delaney's goal, scored in November 2023 by a player who has only played 14 minutes at EURO 2024, could decide the outcome of Group C.

Slovenia have qualified from the group stage for the first time in a EURO. They are one of four third-placed teams with the best results in all six groups. Slovenia has 3 points (goal difference 0) ahead of Hungary (3 points, goal difference -3) and Croatia (2 points, goal difference -3).

In fact, Benjamin Sesko and his teammates could have done better if they had made the most of every opportunity they had. However, the Slovenian team can be completely proud of their achievements. They are not a strong team with many stars, but they have demonstrated a scientific style of play.

Against England, Slovenia played confidently and had more coherent coordination than their opponents. They deserved to have a position enough to pass the group stage.

In the quarter-finals, Slovenia's opponent has not been determined yet, while Denmark will face host Germany. The "lead soldiers" group also includes Portugal, Spain and France. This is the reason why the Danish team was not very happy after the match with Serbia ended. They knew that they would have to face many challenges in the quarter-finals.