Explained! Why there are no Third Place Competition in #EURO2016

So I have received lots of messages asking when Germany will be playing Wales as the third place match of the Euros 2016. Well, instead of reply each of them one after the other, I decided to draught this article ... Hope it helps

HAS THERE BEEN A THIRD PLACE PLAYOFF AT THE EUROS?

Yes, the third place playoff was a regular fixture at the Euros from the first tournament in 1960 through to 1980.


WHY IS THERE NO THIRD PLACE PLAYOFF NOW?

After dwindling attendances and television viewership for the fixture at the 1980 competition in Italy, UEFA decided to abolish the fixture.

In 1980, the tournament expanded to eight teams as opposed to four, with two groups of four teams. The winners of each group went straight to the final and the runners-up fought for third place.

It saw one of the few third place matches that have been decided be a penalty shootout, with Czechoslovakia beating hosts Italy 9-8 after a 1-1 draw.

For the next tournament in 1984, UEFA implemented a new format with 15 matches and semi-finals. That format was used until Euro 1996 when the competition was expanded to include 16 teams and 31 matches.

That setup was used in four subsequent tournaments before it was expanded for Euro 2016 to 24 teams.

DO OTHER TOURNAMENTS HAVE THIRD PLACE PLAYOFFS?

The Euros are the only tournament without a third-place playoff.

The World Cup, Copa America and African Cup of Nations all include the figure - usually the day before the final.

It’s usually considered a much lower priority match to organisers and is played in a smaller stadium.