DANE IN THE NECK
Why did Denmark finish ahead of Slovenia in Group C at Euro 2024?
Danes forced Slovenia to sweat on third-placed berth due to little known rule
DENMARK finished ahead of Slovenia in Group C at Euro 2024 due to a stunning, yet little know rule.
The teams finished the same in all of the criteria - right down to the second from last one.
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Why did Denmark finish above Slovenia at Euro 2024?
After both Denmark and Slovenia drew 0-0 in their final group games, the Danes progressed in second place while Slovenia are set to go through as one of the best third-placed teams.
This is because - after ALL of the criteria was the same - it went down to a Slovenia's technical director Milivoje Novakovic getting booked during their first match of the tournament against Denmark.
That meant Denmark had six disciplinary points to Slovenia's seven.
Had Novakovic not been booked, they would have been level on disciplinary points and then Uefa would have needed to look at their records in qualifying.
And even more incredibly they were in the SAME group in qualifying - with Denmark finishing above Slovenia on head-to-head after they were level on points.
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What happens if teams are tied on points?
If two or more teams are level on points at the end of the group stage, the following criteria will be applied:
Scroll down for the criteria No 8 for Denmark and Slovenia.
1. Higher number of points in games between the teams
2. Best goal difference from matches played between the teams
3. Higher number of goals scored from matches played between the teams
4. If still level, criteria 1-3 reapplied between teams who are still level
5. Superior goal difference in all group matches
6. Higher number of goals scored in group matches
7. If playing in the last round of a group stage two teams are tied in points, goal difference and goals scored and drew their match, their ranking is decided by penalty shootout, but this is NOT used if more than two teams have same number of points.
8. Lower disciplinary points in all group matches
9. Highest position in European Qualifiers overall ranking, unless comparison involves hosts Germany, in which case a drawing of lots will take place.
