BBC Sport presenter Gary Lineker criticized the rules of Euro 2024 after Ukraine was eliminated with four points while other teams advanced with a lower tally. The format of Euro 2024 came into question when Ukraine was knocked out of the tournament despite finishing with the same points as all the other teams in their group. Ukraine drew 0-0 with Belgium in the final round of Group E fixtures to accumulate four points from three games. However, Romania won Group E on goals scored after netting four goals to Belgium’s two. Slovakia finished third in the group and advanced to face England as one of the best third-placed teams, although all four teams finished with four points each. Lineker expressed sympathy for Ukraine and criticized the format of the tournament, which allowed a number of ‘best placed’ teams who finished third a spot in the knockout stages.
The next stage of Euro 2024 will see Slovakia face England in the Round of 16, Romania will play the Netherlands for a place in the quarter-finals, and Belgium will meet France. Ukraine manager Serhiy Rebrov praised his players for their efforts in the tournament, stating that they showed the character of the Ukrainian people and that they needed the support of Europe as they are part of it. Rebrov expressed pride in his players despite the unfortunate outcome, acknowledging that they made some mistakes but reacted well and demonstrated resilience. He emphasized the importance of showing that Ukraine is still fighting and will not give up. While Ukraine was the only team in Group E to exit the tournament despite finishing level on points with the other three teams, Denmark and Slovenia qualified for the Round of 16 with just three points.
The situation raised questions about the current Euro 2024 format, as Lineker suggested that the system needs to be reviewed. With Ukraine being the first team to not make it through the group stage with four points, Lineker labeled the system as flawed and in need of potential changes. Reflecting on the Ukraine-Belgium match, Lineker highlighted the disappointment for Ukraine and felt they were the better side overall. Ukraine’s exit from the tournament with four points while other teams advanced with fewer points, such as Denmark and Slovenia with three points, sparked debates and discussions on the fairness of the competition’s format. Despite Ukraine’s elimination, the team received praise for their performance and determination throughout the tournament.
As Euro 2024 progresses, the tournament’s format and rules have come under scrutiny following Ukraine’s elimination despite accumulating four points alongside other teams in their group. Calls for a review and potential changes to the current system have emerged, with concerns raised over the criteria for advancing to the knockout stages. The scenario involving Ukraine’s exit despite finishing level on points with other teams has brought attention to the need for fair and transparent rules in the competition. The incident has sparked debates among fans, experts, and analysts, prompting discussions on the integrity and competitiveness of the Euro 2024 format. Moving forward, stakeholders may consider revising the tournament structure to ensure a more equitable and balanced approach to determining team advancement in future editions of the competition.
